What's in my name? Sigma lens markings

The range of Sigma objects is replete with a great variety of offers for all occasions — from all-seeing fisheye lenses to huge long-range "guns" that not every tripod can withstand. Moreover, the release of most optics is adjusted simultaneously for all common mirror bayonets and some mirrorless systems. The brand's objects take their toll with an attractive price tag, outstanding optical characteristics and models with an exclusive set of focal lengths, which simply cannot be found.

Let's start deciphering the abbreviations in the names of Sigma objects from the division of optics into separate categories:

C (Contemporary) is a line of inexpensive objects with standard optical properties designed for amateur photography.

A (more often Art) — high-end optics designed with an emphasis on sophisticated optical performance. Lenses with the designation Art can often boast of high light intensity, and their capabilities are fully revealed in creative types of shooting.

S (Sport) is a professional caste of reporter objects for filming sports events, wild animals and other similar stories. The symbol "S" is applied to the body of the telephoto lenses (long-focus optics for photographing from long distances).

EX (Excellence) — not the most modest abbreviation indicates the outstanding optical properties of the object (analogous to the golden ring from Nikon and the L (Luxury) series from Canon). Now the labeling has been abolished, and all top lenses released after 2012 are part of the Art and Sport lines.

A distinctive feature of the family of premium objects of the EX line has always been the gold edging at the front lens

The compatibility of the object with a specific type of cameras is encrypted in individual characters:

DG optics for full—frame DSLRs (also works great with APS-C format cameras).

DC — objects for DSLRs (cameras with 1.5-1.6 times reduced physical dimensions of the sensor — the aforementioned APS-C format).

DN (Digital Neo) — the latest family of objects, sharpened to work in tandem with mirrorless cameras. Existing models are compatible with cropped cameras, therefore, with the possible release of optics for a few representatives of the full-frame mirrorless squad, a new index can be assigned to it.

One of the most important in the name of optics are the following symbolic combinations:

105mm, 18-35mm is the standard designation of the focal length of the object. One value is specified for fixes, and a pair of hyphenated digits is specified for zoom objects.

f/1.8, f/3.5-6.3 — the value of the maximum luminous intensity of the object. If there are several digits separated by a hyphen, the maximum aperture at the short end is indicated first, and then the aperture value at the highest zoom position.

Following the key designations of focal length and maximum aperture , other abbreviations appear in the name of the object:

IF (Inter Focus) — internal focus system. When pointing at the sharpness, all the elements of the optical circuit move inside the housing, which, in turn, does not change its physical dimensions.

RF (Rear Focus) — an analogue of the IF designation with the only difference that only the rear group of lenses moves when focus.

HSM (Hyper-Sonic Motor) — ultrasonic motor of the automatic focus system for fast, tenacious and almost silent aiming at the "target" during photo and video shooting. The drive is also famous for its low power consumption, which saves the battery charge of the camera.

The highlighted combination of symbols indicates that the object is equipped with a nimble and low-noise ultrasonic autofocus drive

OS (Optical Stabilizer) — the object is equipped with an optical image stabilization system designed to compensate for camera shake and allow you to win several exposure stages when shooting with your hands in low light conditions. More information about the principles of operation of the optical stub is described in the article"Everything you need to know about image stabilization systems."

APO (Apochromatic) is the inclusion of apochromatic lenses made of low—dispersed glass in the optical scheme in order to minimize the negative effect of chromatic and other types of aberrations on the image. Such elements are installed in some Japanese manufacturer's telecoms (for example, Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX DG APO OS HSM).

APO elements are the prerogative of "long—range" optics

ASP (Aspherical) — aspherical lenses in an optical scheme to combat chromatic aberrations and improve image quality. Due to their use, it is possible to reduce the weight and dimensions of the object structure.

SLD (Special Low Dispersion) — low-dispersion lenses to reduce chromatic aberration.

ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) — an even more effective subspecies of low-dispersion lenses.

FLD («F» Low Dispersion) — the lowest level of low-dispersed glass with extremely high light transmittance.

TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) — a special material in the construction of some objects, combining the properties of metal and polycarbonate. An example of such a solution is the universal zoom object Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC Macro OS HSM.

UC (Ultra Compact) is a version of the object in a reduced form factor with optical characteristics similar to the "big brother".

Mini version of the universal zoom with a set of focal lengths of 28-105 mm

Several special markings complete the list of abbreviations:

Macro — there is nothing to guess — objects with this designation are intended for macro shooting. However, not all lenses with the inscription "Macro" on board produce a 1:1 magnification. Previously, Sigma often abused this marking and applied it to objects with a reduced minimum focus distance.

Diagonal Fisheye, Circular Fisheye are varieties of fisheye optics with very wide viewing angles (about 180°).

The front lens of the representatives of the fisheye optics squad has a characteristic convex shape

II, III — a version of the object when re-releasing an existing model in a new guise with the preservation of its marking.

Have a good shooting!