Sigma Lenses for Nikon

Last update: 10/1/03

Note: The following table applies to the current Sigma line as of the last update (some older lenses are shown at end of table). Like Tamron, Sigma has "upgraded" some of their lenses, so be careful when purchasing used lenses--the newer models tend to work more consistently with Nikon bodies, and are a bit sharper. Sigma labels lenses as "macro" if they can perform at 1:3 magnification, which is a bit of a stretch. Sigma's HSM teleconverters retain D-compatibility. My favorite Sigmas, the light 500mm f/7.2 and the rectilinear 14mm f/3.5 unfortunately have been discontinued, though a more expensive f/2.8 version is now available for the wide angle.

Sigma's Web site

Announced October 2003

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
AF 12-24 EX DG P Yes 4.5-5.6 rear gelatin 11" (28cm) 16/12 element design. aspherical elements, 4 low dispersion elements. Covers full 35mm frame. 6-blade aperture diaphragm. Internal focusing (HSM?). Weighs 1.4 pounds (615 grams).

Announced March 2003 (PMA)

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
AF 24-135mm EX Yes 2.8-4.5 ? 0.5m? ?/? element design. aspherical elements, low dispersion glass. Internal (rear) focusing. Weighs 20.6 ounces.

Announced September 2002 (Photokina)

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
AF 80-400mm APO EX OS Yes 4.5-5.6 77mm (180cm) 20/14 element design. aspherical element, low dispersion glass, manual focus override at all times. 9-blade diaphragm. Internal (rear) focusing. Two mode optical stabilization system (horz/vert, or vert), tripod mount. Weighs 58.2 ounces (1650g).
AF 120-300mm APO EX IF HSM Yes 2.8 105mm (150cm wide, 250mm tele) 18/16 element design, low dispersion glass, manual focus override at all times, HSM in-lens focus motor. 9-blade diaphragm. Internal focusing. Removable tripod mount. Weighs 91.7 ounces (2600g). US$4600 list price.
AF 300-800mm APO EX IF HSM Yes 5.6 46mm rear slot (600cm) 18/16 element design, low dispersion glass, manual focus override at all times, HSM in-lens focus motor. 9-blade diaphragm. Internal focusing. Tripod mount. US$12,000 list price!

Announced August 2001

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
AF 20-40mm EX DG Yes 2.8 82mm or rear 12 in (30cm) 17/13 element design. aspherical elements. Internal focusing. Comes with bayonet lens hood and case. Weighs 1.3 lbs (595g). Has a 30-60mm equivalent for D1 bodies.

Announced July 2001

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
AF 15-30mm EX DG Yes 3.5-4.5 rear only 12 in (30cm) 17/13 element design. aspherical elements. Internal focusing. Comes with built-in lens hood. Weighs 1.4 lbs (615g). Intended for digital cameras, has a 22.5-45mm equivalent for D1 bodies.

Currently Available:

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
AF 8mm EX Yes 4 rear slot 7.9 in (0.2m) Circular Fisheye. 10/6 element design, 5-blade diaphragm.
AF 14mm EX HSM Yes 2.8 rear slot 7.1 in (0.18m) Aspherical elements. 14/10 element design, 7-blade diaphragm. (Former design was a f/3.5.)
AF 15mm EX Yes 2.8 rear slot 5.9 in (0.15m) Fisheye (full frame). 7/6 element design, 7-blade diaphragm.
AF 24mm Yes 2.8 52 7.1 in (0.18m) 8/7 element design, 6-blade diaphragm.
AF 28mm II Yes 1.8 58 11.8 in (0.3m) aspherical element. 10/9 element design, 7-blade diaphragm.
AF 50mm EX Yes 2.8 55 7.4 in (0.188m) Macro (1:1), 10/9 element design, 7-blade diaphragm.
AF 105mm EX Yes 2.8 58 12.3 in (0.31m) Macro (1:1), 10/9 element design, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 180mm EX APO IF HSM Yes 3.5 72 18.1 in (0.46m) Macro (1:1), 13/9 element design, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 300mm EX APO HSM Yes 2.8 46 rear 8 ft 2 in (2.5m) 12/10 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 300mm APO Yes 4 77 47.2 in (1.2m) Macro (1:3), 10/9 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 400mm APO Yes 5.6 77 5 ft 3 in (1.6m) Macro (1:3), 10/7 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 500mm EX APO HSM Yes 4.5 46 rear 13 ft 2 in (4m) 12/9 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 600mm Yes 8 95 (30.5 rear) 6 ft 6 in (2m) Mirror, 7/4 element design. Aperture fixed at f/8.
AF 800mm EX APO HSM Yes 5.6 46 drop 22 ft (7m) 13/10 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 17-35mm EX Yes 2.8-4 82 19.7 in (0.5m) Aspherical element. 15/14 element design, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 24-70mm Yes 3.5-5.6 55 19.7 in (0.5m) Aspherical element. 11/8 element design, 6-blade diaphragm.
AF 24-70 EX Yes 2.8 82 15.7 in (40cm) 14/13 element design. 3 aspherical and 2 low disperion elements. Internal focusing. 9-blad diaphragm. Comes with bayonet style lens hood. Weighs 24.7 ounces (700g).
AF 24-70 HF Yes 3.5-5.6 62 15.7 in (40cm) 9/7 element design. 8-blade diaphragm. Helical focus (front element doesn't rotate). Comes with bayonet style lens hood. Weighs 10.1 ounces (285g).
AF 28-70mm UC Yes 2.8-4 55 19.7 in (0.5m) 11/8 element design, 7-blade diaphragm.
AF 28-70mm EX DF Yes 2.8 77 15.7 in (0.4m) Two aspherical elements, 15/12 element design, internal focus, 9-blade diaphragm. Weighs 22.7 ounces (645g).
AF 28-80mm HF Yes 3.5-5.6 55 19.7 in (0.5m)
9.4 in (0.197m) at 80mm macro		 Macro (1:2), aspherical element, 7/7 element design, 8-blade diaphragm. Weighs 9 ounces (255g).
AF 28-105mm Yes 2.8-4 72 19.7 in (0.5m) Aspherical element, 12/11 element design, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 28-200mm DL Hyperzoom Yes 3.5-5.6 72 19.7 in (0.5m) Aspherical element, 17/14 element design, 8-blade diaphragm
AF 28-300mm DL IF Hyperzoom Yes 3.5-6.3 72 varies to 32.7 in (0.83m) Aspherical element, 18/16 element design, internal focusing, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 50-500mm EX RF HSM Yes 4-6.3 86c varies to 39.4 in (1m) 20/16 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 70-200 EX HSM Yes 2.8 77 5 ft 11 in (1.8m) 17/14 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 70-210mm UC-II Yes 4-5.6 55 3 ft 11 in (1.2m) 13/9 element design, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 70-300mm Macro Super Yes 4-5.6 58 4 ft 11 in (1.5m) Macro (1:2), 14/10 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 70-300mm DL Macro Super Yes 4-5.6 58 4 ft 11 in (1.5m) Macro (1:2), 14/10 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 100-300mm EX IF HSM Yes 4 82 5 ft 11 in (1.8m) Four low dispersion elements, 16/14 element design, 9-blade diaphragm, internal focusing, silent high-speed motor, tripod mount. Weighs 52.2 ounces (1480g).
AF 100-300mm DL Yes 4.5-6.7 55 6 ft 7 in (2m) 13/10 element design, 8-blade diaphragm.
AF 135-400mm Yes 4.5-5.6 77 varies to 6 ft 7 in (2m) 13/11 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 170-500mm Yes 5-6.3 86c varies to 10 ft (3m) 13/11 element design, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 28-105mm UC-III IF Yes 3.8-5.6 62 19.7 in (0.5m) 13/12 element design, 7-blade diaphragm, internal focusing
AF 28-135mm DL IF Yes 3.8-5.6 62 19.7 in (0.5m) at 28mm
9.4 in (0.24m) at 135mm		 Macro (1:2), 13/12 element design, 7-blade diaphragm, internal focusing. Comes with bayonet style lens hood. Weighs 14.4 ounces (410g).
AF 20mm EX DG RF Yes 1.8 82 7.9 in (0.2m) Aspherical element, 13/11 element design, Internal focus, 9-blade diaphragm.
AF 24mm EX DG Macro Yes 1.8 77 7.1 in (0.18m) Macro (1:2.9), 2 aspherical elements, 10/9 element design, internal focus, 9-blade diaphragm, manual focus override..
AF 28mm EX DG Macro Yes 1.8 77 7.9 in (0.2m) Macro (1:2.9), aspherical element, 10/9 element design, internal focus, 9-blade diaphragm.

Older Sigmas:

Focal Length
D?
Max F/stop
Filter Size
Close Focus
Comments
MF 14mm No 3.5 slot 7 in (0.18m)  
MF 15mm No 2.8 slot 6 in (0.15m) fisheye
MF 18mm No 3.5 72 9 in (0.25m)  
MF 24mm No 2.8 52 7 in (0.18m)  
MF 28mm No 1.8 58 1 ft (0.3m)  
MF 28mm No 2.8 52 9 in (0.22m)  
MF 50mm No 2.8 52 9 in (0.25m) macro
MF 90mm No 2.8 52 1 ft (0.33m)  
MF 180mm No 2.8 55 1.7 ft (0.55m) APO
MF 180mm No 5.6 52 1.7 ft (0.55m) APO
MF 300mm No 2.8 72 drop-in 10 ft (3m) APO
MF 300mm No 4 77 4 ft (1.2m) APO
MF 400mm No 5.6 72 13 ft (4m) APO
MF 500mm No 7.2 72 11.5 ft (3.5m)  
MF 500mm No 4.5 30.5 drop-in 16 ft (5m) APO
MF 600mm No 8 30.5 drop-in 6 ft (2m) mirror
MF 18-35mm No 3.5-4.5 82 1.7 ft (0.5m)  
MF 24-70mm No 3.5-5 55 1.7 ft (0.5m)  
MF 28-70mm No 2.8-4 58 1.7 ft (0.5m)  
MF 28-70mm No 2.8 72 1.7 ft (0.5m)  
MF 28-105mm No 4-5.6 58 1.7 ft (0.5m) UC
MF 28-200mm No 3.8-5.6 72 5 ft (1.8m)  
MF 70-210mm No 2.8 77 5 ft (1.8m) APO
MF 70-210mm No 3.5-4.5 58 2.5 ft (0.75m) APO Macro
MF 70-210mm No 4-5.6 52 5 ft (1.5m) UC
MF 70-300mm No 4-5.6 58 3.1 ft (0.95m) DL II
MF 70-300mm No 4-5.6 55 5 ft (1.5m) APO Macro
AF 14mm No 3.5 rear slot 7 in (0.18m) One of my favorite lenses, the 14mm Sigma produces rectilinear images (i.e., it's not a fisheye). But you need to keep the bulging front element shaded, or else low contrast and flare are major problems.
AF 18mm No 3.5 72 9 in (0.25m)  
AF 24mm No 2.8 52 7 in (0.18m)  
AF 28mm Yes 1.8 58 1 ft (0.3m) aspherical
AF 50mm Yes 2.8 52 7 in (0.19m) macro
AF 90mm Yes 2.8 52 9 in (0.22m)  
AF 180mm No 2.8 82 2 ft (0.64m) APO Macro
AF 180mm No 5.6 52 1.7 ft (0.55m) APO Macro
AF 300mm No 2.8 30.5 drop 8 ft (2.5m) APO
AF 300mm Yes 4 77 4 ft (1.2m) APO Macro
AF 400mm Yes 5.6 72 13 ft (4m) APO
AF 400mm Yes 5.6 72 16 ft (5m) APO
AF 500mm No 4.5 30.5 drop 16 ft (5m) APO
AF 500mm No 7.2 72 12 ft (3.5m) APO. Rotating tripod mount. Sharp and almost hand-holdable. A nice lens when you don't need speed. Can't really be used with a teleconverter (at least if you want sharp results), and the tripod mount was prone to problems (though not mine).
AF 800mm No 5.6 46 drop 22 ft (7m) APO
AF 1000mm No 8 34 drop 49 ft (15m) APO
AF 18-35mm Yes 3.5-4.5 82 1.7 ft (0.5m) Aspherical. Very light and plastic lens, but takes reasonable pictures. Huge front element is a bit of a problem, generating flare even with supplied hood.
AF 24-70mm Yes 3.5-5.6 55 1.7 ft (0.55m)  
AF 28-70mm Yes 2.8-4 58 1.7 ft (0.5m)  
AF 28-70mm Yes 2.8 72 1.7 ft (0.5m)  
AF 28-80mm Yes 3.5-5.6 55 9 in (0.25m) ASP Macro
AF 28-105mm Yes 4-5.6 58 1.7 ft (0.5m) UC
AF 28-200mm Yes 3.8-5.6 72 5 ft (1.5m) UC
AF 35-80mm No 4-5.6 52 1.7 ft (0.5m) DL
AF 70-210mm Yes 2.8 77 6 ft (1.8m) APO
AF 70-210mm Yes 3.5-4.5 58 5 ft (1.5m) APO Macro
AF 70-210mm Yes 4-5.6 52 5 ft (1.5m) UC II
AF 70-300mm Yes 4-5.6 58 5 ft (1.5m) APO
AF 70-300mm Yes 4-5.6 58 3 ft (0.95m) DL Macro

"MF" = manual focus; "AF" = autofocus.

D? = is the lens D compatible? Only verified lenses are listed as "Yes" in this table.

Max F/stop = widest available f/stop; variable number indicates maximum f/stop changes with focal length.

Filter Size =  number is filter thread size.

Close Focus = first number is in feet; number in parentheses is metric (the convention used throughout Nikon Field Guide).