Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN C Panasonic L-Mount Fit

The optical design of the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is largely based on the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art, which is renowned for its outstanding optical performance throughout its zoom range.

True to the Contemporary line’s core concept, the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN was developed to offer the right balance of performance and portability. It has been designed to deliver outstanding image quality that rivals SIGMA’s Art line lenses in a body light enough for day-to-day use.

Building on state-of-the-art technology, the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C has an advanced design that includes three aspherical, two FLD, and two SLD elements. Despite using fewer elements in total than the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | A, the design results in a thorough correction of axial chromatic aberration and sagittal coma aberration, which cannot be corrected in-camera, allowing users to create images that are uniformly sharp from the centre to the edges of the frame.

Light and small enough for casual outings, this large-aperture, standard zoom will open up new photographic possibilities for better and more creative results.

Being slightly less wide-angle than the 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art has allowed a significant reduction in the size of the body of the 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary (see right). In order to fit with the design concept of the Contemporary line, which balances performance with portability, the new lens features a simpler dust- and splash-proof structure and smaller switches. At the time of release this makes it the smallest and lightest standard zoom with a constant F2.8 aperture for full-frame mirrorless cameras.

The lens features just one lightweight focusing element, which keeps the AF unit small. This, along with a quiet and fast stepping motor, makes for responsive and near-silent autofocus performance.

The 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C weighs in at 470g, and when attached to the SIGMA fp, the entire setup is 890g. The supreme portability afforded by a camera system that weighs less than 1kg gives photographers a huge amount of freedom and flexibility to achieve their creative vision. It’s also a perfect combination for film-makers looking for a high-performance, lightweight, easy-to-handle system that works well with a gimbal.

Sigma is now one of the very few imaging manufacturers whose products are solely made in Japan (4). This gives us full control over our production processes and helps us maintain the highest levels of quality control over the design, manufacture and construction of every product. Great care is taken to ensure the highest quality materials are chosen.

With priority given to optimal portability, the body of the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | C consists primarily of lightweight parts. While conventional wisdom states that it is more difficult to ensure processing accuracy for plastic parts than metal parts, there has been no compromise whatsoever with the build quality of this lens.

One reason for this is that it uses a type of polycarbonate called TSC (Thermal Stable Composite) (3), which has a comparable level of thermal shrinkage to aluminium. This helps reduce differences between the thermal shrinkage of the metal and non-metal parts, ensuring stable levels of performance even in an environment with extreme temperature changes. The use of polycarbonates in the construction of zoom and focus rings can make their operation feel less premium, but with careful treatment to the precision of these parts and in the lubricant technology that has been employed, the rings offer a precise action with an exceptionally high-quality feel.

What allows us to achieve these precisely produced parts and such premium aesthetics is the impressive standard of manufacturing technology and rigorous quality control we have at the SIGMA Aizu Factory.

The lens comes with an AF/MF switch (2), which has a firm but ergonomic action, and the focus and zoom rings (1) are smooth and precise owing to SIGMA’s advanced lubricant technologies.

The lens’ premium, intuitive build makes it as exciting to use the lens as it is to see the incredible images it can produce, inspiring you to start achieving your creative potential.

A minimum focusing distance of 19cm at the wide end of the zoom range (a working distance of 6.9cm) up to 38cm fully zoomed in allows you to capture subjects close-up in incredible detail.

This gives a maximum magnification ratio of 1:3.3 and makes the lens ideal for shooting flowers, textures and products.

Included in the box is a petal-style lens hood (LH706-01) that will help to reduce flare and ghosting when shooting into the sun or other bright source of light. Its tough but ultra-light polycarbonate design can also help protect the lens from damage if dropped.