Sigma APO 180mm f/2.8 EX DG OS Macro HSM Lens

Sigma Corporation of America announces world's first 1:1 180mm F2.8 macro lens

New fast and stabilized lens announced at Consumer Electronics Show 2012

Ronkonkoma, NY, Jan. 9, 2012 – Sigma Corporation, a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to announce the Sigma APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM, the world’s first 180mm macro lens that offers a magnification ratio of 1:1 and a large maximum aperture of F2.8.

As the successor to Sigma’s earlier 180mm F3.5 EX DG macro lens, the new APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens now boasts the company’s proprietary Optical Stabilizer (OS) technology and a wide F2.8 aperture to allow faster shutter speeds for narrow depth of field. With the OS feature, this lens offers the use of shutter speeds approximately four stops slower than would otherwise be possible, enabling handheld close-up photography. Three “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass elements, which have a performance equal to fluorite glass, are included to provide correction for color aberrations, and an inner focusing system minimizes aberrations that occur as shooting distances change.

“Our first 180mm macro was very popular with macro photographers and we’re certain that discerning photographers will be very impressed with its new technical and performance upgrades. The Optical Stabilizer technology and faster maximum aperture will make it even easier for users to capture the close-up, intricate details in the tiny world around them,” said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “We’ve released some really incredible products in the past year – there’s truly something in our lineup for every type and level of photographer.”

Equipped with the Super Multi-Layer Coating feature, the APO Macro 180mm F2.8 EX DG OS HSM lens reduces flare and ghosting and delivers sharp and high contrast images, even at the maximum aperture. The incorporation of Sigma’s Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures quiet and high-speed autofocus, as well as full-time manual focus capability. The macro lens has a rounded nine-blade diaphragm to create an attractive blur to the image’s out-of-focus areas. At 1:1 magnification, this lens has a focusing distance of 18.5 inches, which is a greater working distance than shorter focal length macro lenses, making it advantageous when taking pictures of highly sensitive subjects like butterflies.

The announcement was made at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2012in Las Vegas, NV, where Sigma Corporation is exhibiting this week in the Las Vegas Convention Center’s Central Hall at booth 8960. The company also announced the launch of a new product line and two new lenses that are specifically designed for use with Micro Four Thirds and E-mount mirrorless interchangeable lens camera systems. The pricing and availability of all of these new lenses are pending.

Specification (For Sigma mount)

* Lens Construction: 19 Elements in 14 Groups
* Angle of View: 13.7° (For SD1 : 9.0°)
* Number of blades: 9 Blades (Rounded Diaphragm)
* Minimum Aperture: F22
* Minimum Focusing Distance: 47cm/18.5in.
* Maximum Magnification: 1:1
* Filter Size: Diameter 86mm
* Dimensions: Diameter 95mm × 203.9mm / 3.7in. × 8.0in.
* Weight: TBD

* FLD glass is the highest level low dispersion glass available with extremely high light transmission. The optical glass has a performance equal to fluorite glass which has a low refractive index and low dispersion compared to current optical glass. It also benefits from high anomalous dispersion. These characteristics give excellent correction for residual chromatic aberration (secondary spectrum) which cannot be corrected by ordinary optical glass and ensures high definition and high contrast images.

* When using the APS-C Hood Adapter HA927-01 with digital cameras with larger than APS-C size image sensor, vignetting will occur. Please remove the hood adapter if you are using these cameras.

* The appearance and specification are subject to change without notice.

About Sigma Corporation

For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation’s expertise and innovation has driven the company’s core philosophy of “knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination,”with anemphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 40 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.