You save up to $150 on all Viltrox E-mount lenses sold by BHphoto (Click here).

Here are a few images of the Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 APS-C lens that will be announced in June 17.

Sigma lens preorders (open on June 17)
17-40mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.
12mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.

Global shipments of cameras by Japanese manufacturers increased by 23% in April. A surprising spike that accelerated after the good sales in Q1. Don’t really know what is driving this. There are reports about the Nikon Z5II selling hot in Japan but this can’t be the only reason. Let’s see if this trend continues in the coming months. But I would definitely say that all manufacturers can look forward to a brighter future.

Sony A1 Mark ii: 3 features CHANGED MY MIND!

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Illuminate Wedding Photographs with Versatile Outdoor Lighting (Explora)
Best Storage Solution for Creators: Cloud Storage vs SSD vs HDD (42West)
Yongnuo 45mm F1.8 DA Art review by SonyAlphaBlog
Improve your street photography composition in 10 minutes (George Holden).
All About Photography with Jean Cazals (Red35).
The Sony FX2 Has Arrived, A Cinematographer’s Companion (42West)
The Hidden Power of a Compact Camera (Explora)

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We have our own Facebook camera groups you can join to discuss the upcoming new cameras in detail:
Sony Alpha group. Sony A1 group. Sony A9 series group. Sony A7r series group. Sony A7s series group. Sony A7 series group

Today Wandrd launched their new PRVKE V4 camera bag on Kickstarter (Click here). And within the first hours it already had 1,000 backers! This bag is the result of over 10 years of constant development. Check out what’s new in this video:

This is the press text for the new Sigma 17-40mm f/1.8 APS-C E-mount lens that will be announced on June 17:

Sigma lens preorders (open on June 17)
17-40mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.
12mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.

Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art

Overview
A standard zoom lens with a large F1.8 aperture and exceptional image quality comparable to prime lenses across the entire zoom range.
Designed for APS-C mirrorless cameras, this lens pushes the boundaries of still and video photography expression.
The Sigma 17-40mm F1.8 DC | Art builds on the innovations of the Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art, which was the world’s first zoom lens with an F1.8 aperture.

Major Improvements

• Wider zoom range: 17–40mm vs. 18–35mm
• More than 30% lighter
• Improved optical and physical design for better portability

Key Features

Prime-like Optical Power

• Constant F1.8 aperture throughout the zoom range
• Ideal for low-light conditions and soft background blur

Outstanding Optical Performance

• High resolution even wide open at F1.8
• Uses precision aspherical elements
• Reduces chromatic aberration and sagittal coma flare

Flexible Framing
Zoom range: 17–40mm (equivalent to 25.5–60mm in full-frame). Covers wide-angle to portrait scenarios without changing lenses.

Reduced Flare & Ghosting
Multi-layer coating and advanced simulations reduce flare, delivering rich and high-contrast results.

Portability & Versatility

Internal Zoom

• Lens length remains fixed during zoom and focus
• Stable for handheld, tripod, and gimbal use

Lightweight Design

• Over 30% lighter than the previous 18–35mm
• Uses a smaller 67mm filter
• Compact enough for daily use and travel

Dust & Splash Resistance

• Front element coated to repel water and oil
• Not waterproof – caution advised in wet environments

Controls & Video Support

Dual AFL Buttons
Two programmable AFL buttons, accessible in both horizontal and vertical shooting positions (depends on camera compatibility).

High-Speed Autofocus
Uses HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) for fast, quiet, and precise focusing – suitable for both photo and video.

Minimal Focus Breathing
Reduces angle-of-view shifts when focusing – enables smooth and natural focus pulls in video.

Aperture Ring with Configurable Functions

• Manual aperture control ring with click ON/OFF
• Lock switch prevents accidental changes
• Canon RF version has a control ring instead, no aperture ring or click/lock switches

Technical Specifications

• Lens Construction: 17 elements in 11 groups (4 SLD, 4 aspherical)
• Angle of View: 79.7°–39.1°
• Aperture Blades: 11 (rounded)
• Minimum Aperture: F16
• Minimum Focusing Distance: 28 cm
• Maximum Magnification Ratio: 1:4.8 @ 40mm
• Filter Size: 67mm
• Dimensions: φ72.9mm × 115.9mm
• Weight: 535g

Supplied Accessories

• Lens Hood LH728-02
• Front Lens Cap
• Rear Lens Cap

Optional Accessories

• USB Dock UD-11 (L-Mount)
• Ceramic WR Protection Filter (67mm)
• WR Protection Filter (67mm)
• UV WR Filter (67mm)
• Circular PL WR Filter (67mm)

A reliable source sent me a curious message: At the last minute, Sigma decided to delay the launch of the APS-C 12mm f/1.4 lens, which was supposed to be announced alongside the APS-C 17-40mm f/1.8 lens on June 17. Now, I’m not sure if he meant that all the different mount versions (E/X/L/RF) have been delayed or just some of them…

Sigma lens preorders (open on June 17)
17-40mm f/1.8 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.
12mm f/1.4 at BHphoto, Amazon, Adorama, Fotoerhardt, WexUK.

In the meantime I got the full lens graphs and spec text:

This ultra-wide F1.4 lens brings creativity and color to everyday moments – with superb image quality and portability.

Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC | The Contemporary is an ultra-wide-angle prime lens that achieves the widest 12mm angle of view of any F1.4 lens for APS-C cameras currently available on the market*.
*(As an AF-compatible interchangeable lens for APS-C cameras. As of June 2025, by Sigma.)

Incorporating the latest optical design, the lens delivers high resolution, capturing starry skies and vast landscapes in stunning detail from its wide-open aperture.

While maintaining uncompromising performance, the compact and lightweight design maximizes the portability of APS-C cameras, enabling agile shooting.

This ultra-wide-angle lens with a large aperture seamlessly combines high performance and portability, bringing new perspectives to a wide range of scenes, whether stills or video, including outdoor landscapes, travel, and street photography.

Key Features

• Powerful visual expression Made possible by superior optical performance combining an ultra-wide angle and F1.4 aperture
• The widest 12mm angle of view among F1.4 lenses for APS-C cameras
• The world’s first* lens to achieve a 12mm focal length with a large F1.4 aperture.
• The ultra-wide 12mm angle of view (equivalent to 18mm** in 35mm format) captures the entire scene in front of you, while the dynamic angle of view and F1.4 brightness enable impressive shooting even in low light conditions, such as street photography at night. In addition, the ultra-wide angle is ideal for group selfies and vlogging.
• Whether shooting stills or video, the Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC | Contemporary offers high flexibility and diverse possibilities for creative expression.

* As an AF-compatible interchangeable lens for APS-C cameras. (As of June 2025, by Sigma.)
** Equivalent to 19mm for Canon RF Mount.

Outstanding optical performance across the entire image

Three double-sided aspherical lenses and two SLD glass elements are efficiently arranged to achieve high optical performance from a wide-open aperture of F1.4.
Sagittal coma correction is also well-corrected, ensuring clear and sharp images from edge to edge, even in starry night scenes where fine and sharp details are essential.

Compact and lightweight design for excellent portability

The efficient placement of double-sided aspherical elements has resulted in a compact and lightweight design with an overall length of 69.4mm and a weight of 225g, despite an ultra-wide angle and large aperture.

This ensures high portability, making the lens easy to carry for travel and outdoor scenes.
The lens is also compatible with a grip and gimbal. Photographers and filmmakers can enjoy the dynamic expression unique to the 12mm F1.4 lens, effortlessly.

Designed for convenient stills and video shooting

Smooth and responsive autofocus driven by a stepping motor

High-speed, high-precision autofocus is achieved by driving a lightweight focusing lens with a stepping motor that enables precise control.
Whether shooting stills or videos, the Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC | Contemporary captures important moments without missing a beat.
In addition to everyday images, the lens delivers high tracking performance in scenes with movement, enabling high-quality video production.

Minimal focus breathing

Focus breathing is suppressed, minimizing changes in angle of view caused by focus shifting and enabling smooth, natural-looking focus strokes when recording video.

Aperture ring with various functions

Equipped with an aperture ring For intuitive aperture control. The Canon RF Mount version has a control ring instead of an aperture ring, allowing functions to be assigned according to the user’s preferred settings.

Designed to minimize flare and ghosting

Using advanced simulation technology, flare and ghosting have been largely eliminated, ensuring that the lens produces rich, high-contrast results in all conditions.

Dust and splash-resistant construction* / Water and oil-repellent coating

In addition to the dust and splash-resistant construction*, the frontmost surface of the lens is coated with a water and oil-repellent coating, so the lens can be used safely even in harsh outdoor environments.

*. The product is designed to be dust and splash-resistant but not waterproof. When using the lens near water, etc.,

Be careful not to allow large amounts of water to splash onto it. If water enters the lens, it may cause a major malfunction and render the lens unserviceable.

Comprehensive range of lenses F1.4 Prime for APS-C Mirrorless Cameras

The Sigma Contemporary line offers a wide range of F1.4 prime lenses for APS-C cameras.
Based on the concept of combining exceptional resolution with a compact and lightweight design, Sigma has achieved a full range of F1.4 lenses in prime focal lengths – 16mm, 23mm, 30mm, and 56mm and now 12mm.

The addition of the Sigma 12mm F1.4 DC | Contemporary lens further expands the large aperture lens series, delivering exceptional optical performance, while maintaining the portability appropriate for APS-C mirrorless systems.

Feature List

• Stepper motor
• Water and oil repellent coating
• Aperture ring (Canon RF mount version has a control ring instead of an aperture ring.)
• Dust and splash resistant construction
• Mount conversion service available
• Each lens passes Sigma’s proprietary MTF measurement system

Main specifications　Data is for Sony E-mount lens

• Lens construction: 14 elements in 12 groups (2 SLD, 3 aspherical elements)
• Angle of view: 99.6°
• Number of diaphragm blades: 9 (round diaphragm)
• Minimum aperture: F16
• Minimum focusing distance: 17.2 cm
• Maximum magnification ratio: 1:8.4
• Filter size: φ62 mm
• Maximum diameter x length: φ68.0 mm x 69.4 mm
• Weight: 225 grams