Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Sony E-Mount

Combining outstanding optical performance and compact design. Introducing a new F1.4 standard lens for mirrorless cameras

A fast, versatile prime, this 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens from Sigma is designed for Micro Four Thirds system mirrorless cameras, where it provides a 60mm equivalent focal length. The bright f/1.4 maximum aperture benefits working in low-light conditions and also affords extensive control over focus placement for using selective focus techniques. In regard to the optical design, one aspherical element and one double-sided aspherical element pair to significantly reduce spherical aberrations for increased clarity and definition for notably sharp image quality. A high-refractive index element is also featured, to minimize color fringing and chromatic aberrations, and a Super Multi-Layer Coating has been applied to control lens flare and ghosting in strong lighting conditions. Additionally, benefitting both stills shooting and video recording, this compact prime also incorporates a stepping AF motor or smooth, near-silent autofocus performance. Designed as a versatile standard lens, the mixture of speed and optical prowess make this a go-to lens for mirrorless shooters.

• A truly versatile slightly-longer-than-normal prime, this 30mm lens is designed for Micro Four Thirds mirrorless cameras where it provides a 60mm equivalent focal length.
• Fast f/1.4 maximum aperture excels in low-light conditions and also affords greater focus control for producing shallow depth of field effects.
• One aspherical element and one double-sided aspherical element control a range of spherical aberrations and distortions for increased sharpness and resolution. Additionally, a high-refractive index, high-dispersion glass element is also integrated into the design, and offers anomalous partial dispersion characteristics to control chromatic aberrations and reduce color fringing.
• A Super Multi-Layer Coating has been applied to lens elements in order to minimize lens flare and ghosting and contribute to producing contrast-rich and color-neutral imagery, even in backlit conditions.
• A stepping AF motor benefits both photographers and videographers with its fast, precise, and near-silent performance.
• A rounded nine-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing bokeh quality.
• The lens is constructed using a Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) material, along with traditional metals, for greater precision and use in wide temperature variations. The outside of the lens barrel is also engraved with the year of production.
• The bayonet mount is constructed from brass for ensured accuracy and durability.

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A new large-aperture F1.4 standard lens from the Contemporary line

Offering an opportunity to experience the fun of shooting wide open, with F1.4 brightness

SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary large-aperture standard lens gives owners of mirrorless cameras the opportunity to experience the fun of shooting wide open, with F1.4 brightness. Photographers will enjoy the beautiful bokeh effect that only a large-aperture lens can offer and the exceptionally sharp optical performance expected from a fine prime lens. Leveraging SIGMA’s latest technologies and design insights, this new lens fulfills the concept of the Contemporary line, in which varied elements come together in optimal balance.

A prime lens with a focal length of around 50mm and F1.4 brightness offers an angle of view very similar to human vision. The photographer can use the shallow depth of field at wide-open aperture to take stunning portraits and tabletop still life shots. Or he or she can close the aperture for greater depth of field and shoot landscapes or snapshots. In this way, standard lenses allow photographers to enjoy so many of the fundamental methods of photography and have thus been favorites for decades. Photographers can experience F1.4 brightness and standard lens functionality with a 35mm equivalent focal length of 60mm on the Micro Four Thirds system and 45mm on the Sony E-mount system.

 

*About the lens name
SIGMA lenses with “DC” in the name are designed for optimal performance on cameras with APS-C image sensors. When a DC lens is used with a camera with a full-frame image sensor, vignetting will occur. Photographers are advised to adjust image area settings for optimal image results. SIGMA lenses with “DN” in the name are designed for optimal performance on cameras with a short flange back distance.

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A member of the high-performance Contemporary line, featuring SIGMA’s latest technologies

For optimal balance with light, compact camera bodies with a short flange back distance, SIGMA designed the new SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lens to be extremely compact. Moreover, the special design of the focus lens group allows fast and smooth AF performance for videography and more. This lens combines a compact design and comfortable operation while prioritizing outstanding image quality. Featuring SIGMA’s latest technologies, this lens digitally corrects optical distortion.

Extra-long Hood (Supplied)

The hood also features rubber and anti-slip textures to make it easier for the photographer to hold while shooting.

TSC used for a more compact structure and enhanced performance

Since new material Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) is highly elastic, it exhibits minimal deformation. Parts made of TSC are therefore less prone to develop gaps between each other over time. The SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary features a lens barrel and aperture parts made of TSC, which contribute both to the compactness of the lens and the smooth functioning of the aperture system. TSC helps increase the precision of cells holding lens elements and parts related to the focus lens group, further enhancing lens performance.

*Thermally Stable Composite (TSC) offers thermal expansion characteristics similar to those of aluminum. Since parts made with TSC expand and contract less due to changes in temperature, they tend to perform better under extreme conditions and help maintain the performance of the lens. TSC also offers outstanding elasticity. As compared to polycarbonate containing 20% glass, TSC offers approximately 70% higher elasticity. As compared to polycarbonate containing 30% glass, it offers 25% higher elasticity. (Comparison is between SIGMA-produced components.)

Combining compactness with outstanding optical performance

The front lens element features high-refractive index, high-dispersion glass for extra power and a shorter overall lens length. To optimize the lens for mirrorless cameras, two aspherical lens elements help ensure outstanding image quality and overall compactness. The SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary features SIGMA’s inner focus technologies, while lighter lens elements in the focus lens group make possible a more compact actuator. Moreover, this lens offers outstanding stability whether the photographer is shooting handheld or has the camera placed on a surface. Structurally, the lens features materials and parts that contribute to its compact, lightweight structure. In summary, this is an unprecedented lens that combines outstanding optical performance with exceptional portability and usability.

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 Image quality rivaling that of our Art line lenses

A compact, lightweight lens offering outstanding image
quality with F1.4 brightness

In addition to featuring an optimized layout and power distribution, this lens incorporates one aspherical lens element and one double aspherical lens element, as well as an element made of high-refractive index, high-dispersion glass with high anomalous partial dispersion. By effectively leveraging these technologies, the lens delivers an outstanding level of light to the edges of the image while minimizing transverse chromatic aberration. To correct distortion, the lens takes advantage of the image correction capabilities of the mirrorless camera body, using the corrective power of the optical system to enhance sharpness. The final result is an extremely compact lens that delivers image quality that rivals that of our Art line lenses.

Designed to minimize flare and ghosting

From an early stage in the lens design process, flare and ghosting have been measured to establish an optical design resistant to strong incident light sources such as backlighting. SIGMA’s Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting to help photographers produce sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions. The included lens hood can be attached to block out extraneous light, which can have a negative effect on rendering performance.

Shallow depth of field for a beautiful bokeh effect

The large-diameter lens with F1.4 brightness makes possible a shallow depth of field for a beautiful bokeh effect—unavailable until now in a standard lens for mirrorless cameras.

Fast and smooth AF

Stepping motor incorporated for enhanced videography
By incorporating a stepping motor, the lens offers exceptionally quick and quiet autofocusing performance. This feature is especially useful when using the camera to take videos. This lens is also compatible with Sony E-mount Fast Hybrid AF.

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New SIGMA GLOBAL VISION product lines are setting new benchmarks for image quality

Evaluation with SIGMA’s own MTF measuring system: A1

We used to measure lens performance with a Modulation Transfer Function (MTF) measuring system using conventional sensors. However, we have developed our own proprietary MTF measuring system (A1)* using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our quality control inspections. All SIGMA 30mm F1.4 DC DN | Contemporary lenses are checked using this A1 system before they are shipped.

*A1：Aizu １

46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor

The 46 effective megapixel (4,800 × 3,200 × 3 layers) and 44 recording megapixel (4,704 × 3,136 × 3 layers) 23.5 × 15.7mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon’s ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and color, generated by the 46-megapixel APS-C X3 direct image sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.

Ultra-high precision and quality—all made in Japan

With only a few minor exceptions, all of SIGMA’s manufacturing, including molds and parts, takes place under a single integrated production system in Japan. We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are truly made in Japan. We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused, hard-working people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of SIGMA products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world because our manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.