New Lenses means New Hope?

This gonna be a real great news to most DSLR enthusiasts who are looking for some competitive good lenses without burning a BIG Hole on their pocket.

The latest news from http://dpreview.com/ , that the SIGMA had made a significant active moves of upgrading their line of lenses recently. However the price has not been set yet....

The usual lust on lenses are:

1)   17-50mm f/2.8 with Stabilizer (landscape to portrait)
    Canon        - EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM = RM3,870 *expensive
    Nikon         - DX17-55mm F2.8G = RM4,950 *expensive
    TAMRON   - SP AF17-50mm F/2.8 XR Di-II VC LD Aspherical (IF) = RM2,000 *no motor 
                          drive means SLOW~
    SIGMA        - 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM = RM ????


2)  70-200mm f/2.8 with Stabilizer (portrait to sports/wild life) 
     Canon         - EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS USM = RM7,350 *expensive
     Nikon          - 70-200mm II F2.8G = RM7,550 *expensive
     TAMRON    - AF70-200mm F/2.8 Di LD (IF) Macro = RM2970 *no motor drive means SLOW
                            and no VC (vibration compensation)~
     SIGMA        - APO 70-200 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM = RM ????


Here are those specs on the new lenses:

SIGMA APO 70-200mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

February 21, 2010: The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma APO 70-200 F2.8 EX DG OS HSM.This large aperture telephoto zoom lens incorporates Sigma’s original Optical Stabilizer function.

The lens covers a medium telephoto range of focal lengths from 70mm to 200mm and has a large maximum aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range. The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible.  For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an image sensor shift anti-shake system. 

As compensation for camera shake is visible in the view finder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement.  Two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have the performance equal to fluorite glass, and three SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements provide excellent correction of color aberration.

High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range and an optimum optical power layout provides superior optical quality in all shooting ranges from close-up to infinity. Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost.  This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring a quiet and high speed AF as well as full-time manual focus capability. 

The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 140cm (55.1”) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:8.  The rounded 9 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out of focus images.  This lens is equipped with a Petal-type hood.  For digital cameras with an APS-C size image sensor, a dedicated hood adapter, which expands the length of the lens hood, is supplied.

SIGMA 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM

February 21, 2010: The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new Sigma 17-50mm F2.8 EX DC OS HSM. This large aperture standard zoom lens is designed for digital SLR cameras and incorporates Sigma’s efficient OS function. It is a compact lens with an overall length of just 91.8mm (3.6”).

This lens covers a focal length from 17mm wide angle and offers a large aperture of F2.8 throughout the entire zoom range, making it ideal for many types of photography such as portraiture and landscapes.  The OS (Optical Stabilizer) function offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. 

For Sony and Pentax mount, the built-in OS function of this lens can be used even if the camera body is equipped with an image sensor shift anti-shake system. As compensation for camera shake is visible in the viewfinder, the photographer can easily check for accurate focus and ensure there is no subject movement.

Two FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite glass, plus two glass mold and one hybrid aspherical lens, provide excellent correction for all type of aberrations.  The Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghost.  This lens has superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp, high contrast images even at the maximum apertures.

High image quality is assured throughout the entire zoom range.  Incorporating HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), the lens provides fast and quiet AF.  The lens has a minimum focusing distance of 28cm (11”) throughout the entire zoom range and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:5.  The rounded 7 blade diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out of focus images.  The inner focusing system eliminates front lens rotation, making the lens particularly suitable for use with the supplied petal-type lens hood and circular polarizing filters.



** Hopefully their quality will be more consistent this time. Still we need to wait for others independent labs report on the lenses; and not least on the feedbacks from the comsumers.
Till then, all we can do is to just wait and see ....
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