If you are a wildlife, sports, stunts and action cinematographer or photographer, a 150-600 zoom lens may be a constant companion.
Now, there’s a completely new SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports zoom lens. It covers Full Frame and comes in SIGMA/Leica/Lumix L-Mount (20mm FFD) or Sony E-mount (18mm FFD).
Of course, the E-mount model fits nicely on Sony FX-3, FX6, FX-9 and even VENICE Cine Cameras.
The result is like an extension of the Olympic motto Citius, Altius, Fortius: Faster, Lighter, Smaller, Smarter, Sharper — Together.
The new SIGMA 150-600 and I were happily together for several weeks. This remarkable lens had Autofocus that seemed as fast and joyful as the Tokyo Olympics 100m sprinter Marcel Jacobs. It felt as light as a short zoom and it seemed to reach out to the stars.
Previous SIGMA 150-600 F5-63 DG OS HSM | Contemporary and Sports models are extremely popular long zooms. However, they were designed for the longer flange focal depth of DSLR cameras and come in Canon EF, Nikon F, or SIGMA SA mounts. You can certainly mount these lenses on mirrorless cameras with SIGMA lens adapters, but the result is slower autofocus. Also, the Sport model is larger and heavier. The Sports version endures challenging conditions with dust and splash resistance and an all-aluminum, albeit heavier, barrel. The Contemporary version provides versatility with lighter weight materials, but does not provide as robust protection in hostile environments.
And so, as SIGMA CEO Kazuto Yamaki said during his presentation on August 4, 2021, “In designing the new 150-600 Sports lens, we set out three goals: 1. Even better optical quality. 2. Robust Sports Line mechanical specs. 3. Compact and Lightweight.”
The MTF chart comparisons in his presentation show impressive optical performance: https://youtu.be/RL0lfg1dLDI?t=811
The new SIGMA 150-600 lens is approximately 760 g (1.6 lb) lighter and 26.6 mm (1.05″) shorter than the previous model. The barrel and body use parts made of aluminum and TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) to shed weight, maintain robustness and provide image consistently at different temperatures.
Fast and accurate Autofocus is achieved with an AF actuator controlled by a stepping motor and guided by a high-precision magnetic sensor. You can override AF with smooth manual focus.
SIGMA’s 1.4× and 2× L-Mount teleconverters are especially sharp and include AF capability to give you up to a 300-1200mm range.
Optical Stabilization (OS) offers an advantage of approximately 4 stops, which is nice for for hand-held, monopod and windy tripod shooting at slower shutter speeds. The tripod socket is threaded into the bottom of the magnesium Arca Swiss type dovetail lens support. Slide switches offer various zoom barrel tensions, OS modes, focus limits, AF/MF, and custom functions.
SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS | Sports
- Mounts: L mount, E-mount
- Lens construction 25 elements in 15 groups
- 4 FLD elements (F Low Dispersion = similar to Fluorite)
- 2 SLD elements (Special Low Dispersion)
- 0 Aspherical lens elements
- Maximum angle of View: FF 4.1° and APS-C 2.7°
- Iris blades:9, rounded
- Minimum aperture: F22-29
- Minimum Focus at 150mm: 58 cm / 22 in
- Minimum Focus at 600mm: 280 cm / 110.2 in
- Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:2.9 at 180mm
- Filter Size: 95mm Ø
- Dims (L Mount): 109.4 Ø × 263.6 mm / 4.3 Ø × 10.4 in.
- (E-mount)109.4 Ø × 265.6 mm / 4.3 Ø × 10.5 in.
- Weight: 2100 g / 74.1 oz.
Is there plans by Sigma to release a RF mount version?