Sigma releases details about the 18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM and APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lenses

Sigma has announced that the 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM lens (£499) is now available in a Sony mount, while the Sigma APO macro 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens (£1499) will also be available for Sony users in two weeks time.

18-250mm f3.5-6.3 DC Macro HSM

This versatile lens covers wide-angle to telephoto making it suitable for many types of photography. Its small size and huge focal-range make it an ideal companion for travel photographers and those that like to keep equipment down to a minimum. One SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element offers correction of colour aberration and three aspherical lenses, including a double-sided aspherical lens, are designed to prevent and correct all types of aberrations. The close-up capability is improved with a minimum focusing distance of just 35cm throughout the entire zoom range and maximum magnification ratio of 1:2.9. When the APS-C size sensor is taken into consideration, the effective maximum reproduction ratio becomes 1:2. The lens benefits from a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) to ensure fast and quiet auto-focusing.

APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM

This is the world’s first 180mm macro lens incorporating a magnification ratio of 1:1 and a large maximum aperture of F2.8. It benefits from Sigma’s original Optical Stabiliser function and the wide F2.8 aperture allows faster shutter speeds for narrow depth of field, enabling photographers to let their subjects stand out from their surroundings. Three FLD (“F” Low Dispersion) glass elements provide correction for colour aberrations. Equipped with Sigma’s own propriety OS (Optical Stabiliser) system, this lens offers the use of shutter speeds approximately 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible. The incorporation of HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) ensures quiet and high-speed autofocus as well as full-time manual focus capability. This lens has a rounded 9-blade diaphragm creating an attractive blur to the out of focus areas of the image. At 1:1 magnification, this lens has a focusing distance of 47cm/18.5in, which is a greater working distance than shorter focal length macro lenses. This is advantageous when taking pictures of highly sensitive subjects such as butterflies and insects.