Effortless freedom
A high-performance compact ultra-wide zoom with a constant f/2.8 aperture.
The full-frame SIGMA 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary combines exceptional optical quality, a bright f/2.8 constant aperture and a robust and lightweight body, opening up new possibilities for L-Mount and Sony E-mount shooters who need professional results in a compact package.
With its excellent field curvature correction, the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is able to achieve exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, which is essential for most wide-angle applications. It boasts five FLD elements and four aspherical lens elements to ensure optimal image quality with minimal aberrations. The lens has an inner zoom mechanism that keeps overall length consistent throughout the entire zoom range, helping it feel balanced in the hand. The inner zoom also means the lens’ centre of gravity stays fairly constant, so it’s perfect for gimbal use. A front filter thread allows filters to be attached more easily.
The lens boasts an exceptionally compact form factor, weighing in at just 450g and measuring just 100.6mm in length*, which makes it a highly practical optic that is portable enough for everyday shooting. It’s especially appealing for landscape, wedding and travel photographers who need to carry their kit for long periods.
Lightweight, versatile and extremely capable, SIGMA’s 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary offers photographers effortless freedom at the ultra-wide end.
Uncompromising optical performance within a compact body
Optimised with the latest optical design technology, the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is a high-performance optic that delivers exceptional image quality despite its compact size. The two large-diameter aspherical lens elements and five ideally arranged FLD glass elements (whose characteristics mirror that of fluorite) keep the lens light and compact while effectively suppressing the lateral and axial or longitudinal chromatic aberrations that often diminish the image quality of other ultra-wide lens designs. The lens also utilises the advanced digital correction capabilities of modern cameras to enable it to achieve such impressive image quality from such a small body.
An f/2.8 constant aperture gives a shallow depth-of-field for blurry out-of-focus areas, which is especially useful when shooting close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and circular thanks to the nine rounded diaphragm blades, which means the background never distracts from the in-focus subject.
SIGMA has also taken extensive measures to counter ghosting and lens flare, which are caused by reflections inside the lens barrel. The Super Multi-Layer Coating ensures that the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary delivers punchy, high contrast results even in the most difficult of backlit conditions.
Convenient form-factor allowing more freedom and usability
The new 16-28mm has a front filter thread built in, which allows neutral density and polarising filters to be attached more easily. This is especially useful for landscape photographers and filmmakers.
By using a stepping motor to control the AF actuator, the autofocus of the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is both fast and silent, making it ideal for shooting photography and video in quiet environments.
The inner zoom mechanism allows the lens to maintain the same length throughout the entire zoom range and with almost no shift to its balance point. The resulting stability will be appreciated by anyone looking to use the lens with a gimbal, or for hand-held or vlog-style video shoots. The inner zoom mechanism also greatly contributes to the lens’ favourable physical dimensions: at a length of 100.6mm, a diameter of 77.2mm and a weight of only 450g*, its compactness rivals wide-angle zooms with slower maximum f/4 apertures.
The total length does not change even when zoomed, thanks to the inner zoom mechanism.
The compact f/2.8 zoom series
Paired with the SIGMA 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, photographers are able to cover ultra-wide to medium telephoto focal lengths with only two lenses. Their combined weight of only 920g makes for an extremely versatile, compact lens system with uniform f/2.8 brightness.
Exceptional build quality with intuitive ergonomics
The lens is constructed using specially selected lightweight materials including Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), a polycarbonate with a thermal contraction rate similar to that of aluminium. This enables the lens to function at peak performance even in environments with harsh temperature differences, as the metal and plastic parts contract and expand at similar rates.
The precision of each individual component and the simple beauty of the finished product is made possible thanks to the craftsmanship and expertise of SIGMA’s staff, the company’s unparalleled manufacturing technology and the rigorous quality control at SIGMA’s only production base in Aizu, Japan.
Compact and lightweight, the 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens is a sophisticated but versatile photographic tool that offers photographers and filmmakers the perfect blend of portability and performance.
Additional features
- Lens construction: 16 elements in 11 groups, with 5 FLD and 4 aspherical lens elements.
- Inner zoom: With their unchanging barrel length, this lens also enhance balance and stability.
- Inner focus system: To increase stability, this lens config uses internal lens elements that adjust focus without changing the length of the lens barrel.
- Compatible with high-speed autofocus
- Stepping Motor: The lens is capable of smooth, quiet and high-speed AF, made possible by a stepping motor, as well as supportd Face/Eye Detection AF and video AF.
- Compatible with front filter (Φ72mm)
- Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction*
*Function available on supported cameras only. Available corrections or auto correction functionality may vary depending on the camera model.
*On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON'(AUTO).
- Super Multi-Layer Coating
- Focus Mode switch
- Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only)
- Support for DMF and AF+MF
- Petal-type lens hood (LH756-01)
- Mount with dust and splash-resistant structure
- Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately; L-Mount only)
- Designed to minimise flare and ghosting
- Every single lens is evaluated with SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
- 9-blade rounded diaphragm
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
