Gentec Announces New Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM Telephoto Zoom Lens for Professional Photographers

PRESS RELEASE

SIGMA’S HIGH-PERFORMANCE 120-300MM F2.8 DG OS HSM TELEPHOTO ZOOM DELIVERS IMAGE QUALITY THAT RIVALS A FIXED FOCAL LENGTH LENS

TORONTO, ON., January 9, 2013 –Gentec International is pleased to announce the new Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lens, the first lens from Sigma’s Sports (S) product line. This large aperture, high-performance telephoto zoom lens offers ultra-high resolution, comparable to a fixed focal length lens. The new lens has been designed to meet the needs of even the most demanding professional photographers with its premium optics, weatherproof construction, advanced features, and optimal handling characteristics.

SPECIAL FEATURES

1. Sports line lenses deliver high-performance to capture all the action
Sigma is organizing its interchangeable lenses into three product lines: Contemporary, Art, and Sports. Featuring high-performance optics, the Sports line helps photographers get exactly the shot they want. These lenses are designed to capture fast-moving subjects, even at distance. This professional-quality line also offers a variety of functions to aid the photographer in challenging conditions and scenarios.

The 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM is the first product from the Sports line. Beyond sports photography, though, these lenses are also ideal for nature and wildlife photography, and for photographing aircraft, trains, racing cars, and more. Another significant feature of the Sports line is the wide range of customization options; using the software provided, many settings can be tailored to the personal preferences of the photographer.

2. Dust-proof and splash-proof construction
Designed to meet the demands of professionals, the rugged new lens incorporates dust-proof and splash-proof components, such as the mount attachment, manual ring, zoom ring, and control switches.

3. High image quality that approaches a fixed focal length lens
This lens incorporates two “F” Low Dispersion (FLD) glass elements, which have performance equal to fluorite, and one Special Low Dispersion (SLD) glass element to provide exceptional compensation for the color aberration. The design also compensates for sagittal coma flare and minimizes the blurring of a point light source in peripheral areas. The lens offers extremely high image quality that rivals a fixed focal length lens.

4. Incorporation of focus limiter
With an inner focusing and zooming system, the length of the lens doesn’t change and the front element doesn’t rotate, which is ideal for filters such as a circular polarizer. For fast focusing, a focus limiter provides an adjustable range of auto focusing. The optional USB dock enables photographers to change the autofocus range as desired.

5. Newly developed “USB Dock” (optional) exclusively for new Sigma lenses
Designed for the newest Sigma lenses, proprietary Optimization Pro software allows photographers to update lens firmware and adjust parameters such as focus. In addition, the lenses from Sigma’s Sports line include a “Custom Mode Switch” for customizable AF speed, focus limiter, and OS function.

6. Ease of use
New ergonomic design offers improved handling with comfortable grips and unobtrusive yet easy-to-use controls. Supplied accessories, such as the removable lens hood and newly designed tripod collar with strap, ensure added ease of use.

ADDITIONAL FEATURES

• Optical stabilizer (OS)
Sigma’s optical stabilizer (OS) system offers the use of shutter speeds up to 4 stops slower than would otherwise be possible for steady handheld telephoto photography. The OS system has two modes: Mode 1 is suitable for general photography and Mode 2 is best for panning shots of subjects such as planes or racing cars. It is possible to adjust the OS function using the USB Dock.

• Flare and ghosting conscious design
Advanced optical design and Sigma’s Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and provides sharp, high-contrast images, even in backlit conditions.

• Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM)
The Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM) ensures quiet, high-speed autofocusing, as well as full-time manual focus override by rotation of the focus ring. With the enhanced AF algorithm, smoother autofocusing is achieved. Full-time manual focus is also possible. Using the USB Dock, it’s possible to adjust the AF speed as desired.

• Rounded diaphragm
The 9-blade rounded diaphragm creates an attractive blur to the out-of-focus areas of the image.

• Brass bayonet mount
A specially treated brass bayonet mount ensures maximum precision, greater strength, and superior durability for long-term use.

• APO Tele-Converter (optional)
The addition of Sigma’s 1.4x EX DG APO or 2x EX DG APO tele-converter produces a 168-420mm F4 AF telephoto zoom lens or a 240-600mm F5.6 AF telephoto zoom lens, respectively.

• Evaluation with Sigma’s “A1” MTF measuring system
Replacing an MTF measuring system using conventional sensors, Sigma now employs a proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system (A1) using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of Sigma’s quality control inspections. All 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lenses will be checked using this “A1” system before being shipped.

• Made in Japan
All Sigma’s manufacturing, including molds and parts, is carried out under an integrated production system entirely in Japan. Sigma is now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely “made in Japan”, with each product reflecting a combination of expertise, advanced technology, and genuine craftsmanship.

The Sigma 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM lens has a suggested retail price of $3,999.95 and will be available in March for Canon and Sigma cameras; a Nikon version will follow in April.

For more information, please contact Samantha Eng, Cohn & Wolfe, at 416-924-5700, extension 4031, or email samantha.eng@cohnwolfe.ca.

About Gentec International
Founded in 1990, Gentec International is Canada’s leading consumer accessory products company, supplying a complete range of photo, video, digital, sport optics, home theatre, electronics, wireless, and mobile audio products to the Canadian retail marketplace. Gentec offers a variety of prominent brands, including Optex, Sigma, SanDisk, Manfrotto, Gitizo, National Geographic, Kata, Avenger, Roots, Gary Fong, Black Rapid, Mobifoto, iQ, Sunpak, Energizer, Bushnell, Tasco, and Zeiss. Gentec operates out of a high-cube, state-of-the-art, fully computerized 100,000-square-foot warehouse and distribution centre that offers efficient, seamless service to our customers. With over 90 employees, Gentec covers the needs of its retailers coast to coast using the latest technology systems, streamlined efficiencies, and customer service that is second to none.

Learn more – visit www.gentec-intl.com.

SPECIFICATIONS:

Focal Length: 120-300mm

Minimum Aperture: F22

Lens Construction: 23 Elements in 18 Groups

Angle of View: 20.4°- 8.2°

Number of Diaphragm Blades: 9 (rounded diaphragm)

Minimum Focusing Distance: 150-250 cm / 59.1-98.4”

Maximum Magnification: 1:8.1 (200mm)

Filter Size: 105 mm

Dimensions: Diameter: 121.4 mm / 4.8” x Length: 291 mm / 11.5”

Weight: TBD