SIGMA is no stranger to innovative lens designs. The company has transformed the entire market on more than one occasion and it seems as if the new 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is another piece of this puzzle. The new lens is 7% smaller and 10% lighter than its predecessor while adding an aperture ring and additional controls. SIGMA also compares the lens’s optical performance to existing prime lenses when taken at comparable aperture settings.The 24-70mm f/2.8 has been the backbone of professional photography gear for decades. The hybrid revolution and popularity of stills-oriented cameras for filmmaking brought these lenses into this field as well. Combining wide angle with moderate tele and relatively fast, constant aperture covers an incredible range of use cases and scenarios. This flexibility has come with a price. 24-70mm f/2.8 lenses are usually heavy and expensive. With their new 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art, SIGMA shaves off some additional weight, making this lens lighter than ever (though don’t expect a pocketable rig, physics are not so easily challenged)SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art mounted on a SIGMA fp camera. Image credit: SIGMABuild and controlsAs with most SIGMA Art lenses, the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is robustly built. A combination of metals and THC (Thermally Stable Composite) makes for a rugged and durable chassis. Unlike its predecessor, the lens foregoes the “control box”, where the AF/MF switch and others were, but opts for more streamlined switches embedded around the lens barrel. Physics is tough to manipulate, so the front element remains quite large with an 82mm filter thread (identical to the former 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN) while the rest of the barrel is considerably thinner. The lens is also 10% lighter at 745g (compared to the former 835g). Not quite as compact as SIGMA’s 28-70mm f/2.8 (470g) but that’s a whole other segment. As to be expected from the SIGMA Art series, the lens is dust and weather-resistant.Left side controls. Image credit: SIGMAIn terms of controls, the lens has three control rings for focus, zoom, and aperture. The aperture ring has both a lock switch and a click controller (for de-clicking). A lock switch is also attached to the zoom ring, and two function buttons are situated on the top and left side of the barrel. The petal-shaped hood adds significant volume but will protect your lens from stray light and stray objects that may hit the large front element.SIGMA 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art right side controls. Image credit: SIGMA24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II optical designSIGMA compares the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art image quality with their Art primes (comparable aperture setting and focal length). To achieve such performance while maintaining zoom functionality as well as compact size, the company turned to a rather complex optical design. The 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II optical formula is comprised of 19 elements in 15 groups – five aspherical elements, six FLD, and two SLD glasses. SIGMA mentions significant advancements in their manufacturing abilities as one of the key enablers of this lens. The aperture has eleven circular blades to maintain round bokeh at all aperture settings. Minimum focus distance varies between 17cm on the wide end and 34cm on the tele end.Price and availabilityThe new 24-70 f/2.8 DG DN II Art is available for pre-order for $1,199 and is due to launch on May 30th in both Sony E-Mount and L-Mount for SIGMA, Leica, Panasonic, etc.Will you take the leap toward a 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom now that it’s lighter and better optically? Will you upgrade your current workhorse for this new SIGMA? Let us know in the comments.
