Sigma announce image stabilised 80-400mm lens

Whilst Sigma's Digital Division has been busy developing the ground breaking SD-9 digital SLR, their analogue design team has been busy burning the midnight oil.

Sigma, who have a reputation for innovative lens design, have excelled themselves this Photokina by launching the first image stabilised lens from an independent manufacturer, the 80-400mm f4.5-5.6 EX.

80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS
An ultra-telephoto zoom lens, which overcomes image blur caused by camera shake.

Sigma APO 80-400mm F4.5-5.6 EX OS is one of several new products to be introduced at Photokina 2002 by Sigma.

Sigma's OS (OPTICAL STABILIZER) system detects camera shake by utilizing two sensors, and then the movement of an optical stabilizing lens group successfully compensates image blur. It is equipped with two optical stabilizer modes to compensate image blurring.
Mode 1, determines the camera shake in vertical and horizontal panning and compensates blurring, this mode is effective when shooting static images.
Mode 2, detects the vertical camera shake, and overcomes blurring. It is especially effective on moving subjects such as motor sports etc.

Two Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass elements in the front lens group and one in the rear group offer effective control of color aberration. The lens features full-time manual focusing and a removable tripod collar. The rear focus system prevents the front of the lens rotating; a circular polarizing filter can be easily attached and used. This lens is also equipped with a Zoom Lock Switch that eliminates "Zoom Creep". When this lens is used with the 1.4x EX or 2x EX Apo Tele Converters (optional), it becomes a 112-560mmF6.3-7.8 MF telephoto lens or a 160-800mm F9-11 MF ultra-telephoto lens respectively. The lens materials used in this new lens are lead and arsenic free ecological glass.

THE SPECIFICATIONS
Focal Length :80-400mm
Maximum Aperture :F4.5-5.6
Lens Construction :20 Elements in 14 Groups
Focusing System :Rear Focusing
Angle of View :30.3- 6.2
Number of Diagram Blades :9pcs
Minimum Aperture :F22 (wide)
Minimum Focusing Distance :180cm/70.8"
Maximum Magnification :1:5.6
Filter Size :77mm
Lens Hood :Bayonet Mount
Dimensions :Diameter 95mm/3.7" X Length 192mm/7.5"
Weight :1650g/ 58.2ounces
Mounts (AF) :Sigma AF, Canon, Nikon (D)