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| Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art | |
|---|---|
| Name | Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art |
| Maker | Sigma Corporation |
| Mount | Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, Pentax K, Sigma SA |
| Focal length | 18–35mm |
| Aperture | f/1.8 |
| Elements groups | 17 elements in 12 groups |
| Diaphragm | 9 blades |
| Close focus | 0.28 m |
| Size | 78.6 mm × 121.5 mm |
| Weight | 810 g |
| Release | 2013 |
Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art. The Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art is a wide-to-standard zoom lens notable for its constant f/1.8 aperture, aimed at APS-C cameras. It attracted attention across photographic communities and press for combining large-aperture performance with zoom flexibility, influencing mirrorless transition discussions and kit-lens expectations.
Introduced by Sigma Corporation in 2013, the lens was launched into a landscape influenced by manufacturers such as Canon, Nikon, Sony, Fujifilm, Panasonic, Olympus, Pentax, Leica, and retailers like B&H Photo Video and Adorama who covered the debut. Reviews compared it to primes from Zeiss, Zeiss and legacy optics by Nikon and Canon, while testing protocols echoed standards used by institutions such as the Image Science Associates and publications like DPReview, Photozone, Popular Photography, PCMag, and The New York Times lens roundups.
The mechanical design reflects Sigma's Global Vision Art line ethos, aligned with engineering teams influenced by suppliers like Kyocera and machining practices similar to those at factories in Aizu, Japan. The barrel uses a mix of metal and composite materials paralleling builds from Tamron and Tokina. Optical groups include aspherical elements and special low-dispersion glass designed to rival constructions by Schott AG and coatings reminiscent of T* treatments; production oversight referenced standards from JIS and quality audits like those at SGS S.A.. The aperture mechanism uses a nine-blade diaphragm, a layout common to high-end designs from Sigma peers such as Canon EF 85mm f/1.8 USM and Nikon AF-S DX 35mm f/1.8G.
Optical characteristics—sharpness, chromatic aberration, vignetting, and distortion—were benchmarked against prime lenses like the Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L, Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 35mm f/1.8G ED, and artisanal offerings from Leica and Voigtländer. Resolution charts and MTF data cited methodologies similar to those from Imatest and testing by outlets such as LensRentals, Camera Labs, Stuff, and Amateur Photographer. The lens delivered center sharpness competitive with fast primes, with field curvature managed through optical compensation strategies used in designs from Sigma Corporation and Tamron. Some reviewers referenced classic optical problems historically discussed in contexts involving lenses used by photographers like Ansel Adams and photojournalists such as Henri Cartier-Bresson to illustrate bokeh and rendering.
Autofocus employs a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) homologous to ultrasonic motors used by Canon (USM) and Nikon (AF-S), with behavior compared to focusing assemblies in lenses from Sony and Olympus. Tests by technicians at LensRentals and engineers from repair services like Ricoh assessed focus speed, accuracy, and calibration tolerances following ISO guidance used by ISO committees. The lens does not include optical image stabilization, aligning it with many large-aperture primes and requiring in-body stabilization from camera bodies by Sony, Panasonic, Olympus, or later-stated in-body stabilization standards promoted by CIPA.
Sigma released the lens in multiple mounts to serve ecosystems maintained by Canon, Nikon, Sony, Pentax, and Sigma's own SA system. Mount compatibility was analyzed alongside lens communication protocols from Canon EF, Nikon F, Sony A, and Pentax K standards, with firmware updates and adaptations performed through services akin to those at Sigma USB Dock and firmware distribution channels similar to manufacturer update sites used by Canon and Nikon.
Critical reception spanned outlets including DPReview, Photographylife, The Verge, Wired, The Guardian, and magazines such as Wired UK, Wired US, Time, and Esquire for gear coverage. The lens featured in year-end lists and buyer guides alongside gear from Canon 5D Mark III, Nikon D750, Sony A7 II, and mirrorless trends championed by Mirrorless Camera proponents. It earned accolades in forums and community awards run by DPReview, Photography Blog, and user polls on Reddit and Flickr discussion groups that also discuss makers like Tamron and Tokina.
While the original was produced primarily for APS-C bodies, subsequent product strategies at Sigma Corporation included full-frame Art series members such as the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art and continued innovations culminating in mirrorless-targeted lenses for mounts promoted by Sony, Canon (RF), and Nikon (Z). Sigma's roadmap paralleled industry shifts driven by companies like Canon with RF mount development, Nikon with Z mount, and Sony with E mount; aftermarket and third-party designs from Tamron and Tokina reflected similar market pressures.
Category:Camera lenses