Effortless freedom.
A high performance compact ultra-wide zoom
with a constant F2.8 aperture.
The full-frame SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary combines exceptional optical quality, a bright F2.8 constant aperture and a robust and lightweight body, opening up new possibilities for L-Mount and Sony E-mount shooters who need professional results in a compact package.
With its excellent field curvature correction, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is able to achieve exceptional edge-to-edge sharpness, which is essential for most wide-angle applications. It boasts five FLD elements and four aspherical lens elements to ensure optimal image quality with minimal aberrations. The lens has an inner zoom mechanism that keeps overall length consistent throughout the entire zoom range, helping it feel balanced in the hand. The inner zoom also means the lens’ center of gravity stays fairly constant, so it’s perfect for gimbal use. A front filter thread allows filters to be attached more easily.
The lens boasts an exceptionally compact form-factor, weighing in at just 450g and measuring just 100.6mm in length*, which makes it a highly practical optic that is portable enough for everyday shooting. It’s especially appealing for landscape, wedding and travel photographers who need to carry their kit for long periods.
Lightweight, versatile and extremely capable, SIGMA’s 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary offers photographers effortless freedom at the ultra-wide end.
* size and weight measurements given for L-Mount version
Features
Uncompromising optical performance
within a compact body
Optimized with the latest optical design technology, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is a high-performance optic that delivers exceptional image quality despite its compact size. The two large-diameter aspherical lens elements and five ideally arranged FLD glass elements (whose characteristics mirror that of fluorite) keep the lens light and compact while effectively suppressing the lateral and axial or longitudinal chromatic aberrations that often diminish the image quality of other ultra-wide lens designs. The lens also utilizes the advanced digital correction capabilities of modern cameras to enable it to achieve such impressive image quality from such a small body.
An F2.8 constant aperture gives a shallow depth-of-field for blurry out-of-focus areas, which is especially useful when shooting close-ups. The bokeh is smooth and circular thanks to the nine rounded diaphragm blades, which means the background never distracts from the in-focus subject.
SIGMA has also taken extensive measures to counter ghosting and lens flare, which are caused by reflections inside the lens barrel. The Super Multi-Layer Coating ensures that the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary delivers punchy, high contrast results even in the most difficult of backlit conditions.
Convenient form-factor
allowing more freedom and usability
The new 16-28mm has a front filter thread built in, which allows neutral density and polarizing filters to be attached more easily. This is especially useful for landscape photographers and filmmakers.
By using a stepping motor to control the AF actuator, the autofocus of the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is both fast and silent, making it ideal for shooting photography and video in quiet environments.
The inner zoom mechanism allows the lens to maintain the same length throughout the entire zoom range and with almost no shift to its balance point. The resulting stability will be appreciated by anyone looking to use the lens with a gimbal, or for hand-held or vlog-style video shoots. The inner zoom mechanism also greatly contributes to the lens’ favorable physical dimensions: at a length of 100.6mm, a diameter of 77.2mm and a weight of only 450g*, its compactness rivals wide-angle zooms with slower maximum F4 apertures.
The total length does not change even when zoomed, thanks to the inner zoom mechanism.
The compact F2.8 zoom series
Paired with the SIGMA 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, photographers are able to cover ultra-wide to medium telephoto focal lengths with only two lenses. Their combined weight of only 920g makes for an extremely versatile, compact lens system with uniform F2.8 brightness.
* size and weight measurements given for L-Mount version
Exceptional build quality
with intuitive ergonomics
The lens is constructed using specially selected lightweight materials including Thermally Stable Composite (TSC), a polycarbonate with a thermal contraction rate similar to that of aluminum. This enables the lens to function at peak performance even in environments with harsh temperature differences, as the metal and plastic parts contract and expand at similar rates.
The precision of each individual component and the simple beauty of the finished product are made possible thanks to the craftsmanship and expertise of SIGMA’s staff, the company’s unparalleled manufacturing technology and the rigorous quality control at SIGMA’s only production base in Aizu, Japan.
Compact and lightweight, the 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary lens is a sophisticated but versatile photographic tool that offers photographers and filmmakers the perfect blend of portability and performance.
Additional features
Lens construction: 16 elements in 11 groups, with 5 FLD and 4 aspherical lens elements
Compatible with high-speed autofocus
Compatible with front filter (Φ72mm)
Compatible with Lens Aberration Correction
*On cameras where lens aberration correction is controlled with ‘ON’ or ‘OFF’ in the camera menu, please set all aberration correction functions to ‘ON'(AUTO).
Support for switching between linear and non-linear focus ring settings (L-Mount only)
Support for DMF and AF+MF
Petal-type lens hood(LH756-01)
Mount with dust and splash-resistant structure
Compatible with SIGMA USB DOCK UD-11 (sold separately; L-Mount only)
Designed to minimize flare and ghosting
Every single lens is evaluated with SIGMA’s proprietary MTF measuring system
9-blade rounded diaphragm
High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount
ESSENTIALS
You'll find our philosophy and craftsmanship
in every product
Our new lineup fully expresses our approach to lenses and photography itself. All of our lenses belong to one of three lines—Contemporary, Art, or Sports—all of which share our development philosophy and advanced manufacturing system. High performance, high quality, and high end in every respect, these lenses give people who love photography lasting value and consistent, exciting results. The secret is our passion for craftsmanship that we put into every production process and every product.
Specifications
Performance / Data
MTF Chart
Diffraction MTF
Geometrical MTF
Spatial frequency | S:Sagittal Line | M:Meridional Line |
---|---|---|
10lp/mm |
|
|
30lp/mm |
|
Product Lineup
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
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L-Mount
- Supplied Accessories
・LENS HOOD LH756-01
・FRONT CAP LCF-72 III
・REAR CAP LCR II
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Sony E-mount
- Supplied Accessories
・LENS HOOD LH756-01
・FRONT CAP LCF-72 III
・REAR CAP LCR II
Support
16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary
FAQ
Accessories
Supplied Accessories
LENS HOOD LH756-01
FRONT CAP LCF-72mmⅢ
REAR CAP LCR Ⅱ
* The image is for SIGMA.
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L-Mount
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Sony E-mount
Separately Sold Accessories
USB DOCK UD-11
Designed exclusively for the use with a SIGMA Contemporary, Art, or Sports lens and its accessories, the SIGMA USB DOCK allows users to update firmware and adjust the sensitivity of speed to the MF function* through the UD-11.
* Scope of adjustment varies depending on specifications of the individual product.
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L-Mount
WR CERAMIC PROTECTOR 72mm
With many applications in aerospace and other industries, glass ceramics is an extremely tough type of crystallized glass that serves as the foundation for Clear Glass Ceramics. While featuring the high transmittance required of optical devices, this advanced new material combines greater hardness than chemically strengthened glass and greater flexibility than sapphire crystal glass. These qualities make Clear Glass Ceramics the ideal material for protective lens filters.
* Thinner frame wide type.
WR PROTECTOR 72mm
Water-repellent, Antistatic type. Protector is developed to protect the lens surface from dirt and dust as well as scratches. It is an ideal filter for regular use as it is completely colorless so does not affect color reproduction.
* Thinner frame wide type.
PROTECTOR 72mm
Protector is developed to protect the lens surface from dirt and dust as well as scratches. It is an ideal filter for regular use as it is completely colorless so does not affect color reproduction.
* Thinner frame wide type.
WR UV FILTER 72mm
UV Water-repellent, Antistatic type. UV filter prevents the bluish tone that generates when the weather is fine, by absorbing ultraviolet rays. It is effective in most situations, such as landscape, portrait and general photography on a sunny day. It is also an ideal filter for regular use as it is completely colorless so does not affect color reproduction.
* Thinner frame wide type.
WR CIRCULAR PL FILTER 72mm
PL Water-repellent, Antistatic type. Circular PL filter removes the reflection of water surface and glass windows, and increases the contrast in landscape photography.
* Thinner frame wide type.
Catalogs / Resources
Manuals / Brochures
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SIGMA Lens Catalogue 2022 Autumn (Brochures)
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16-28mm DG DN | Contemporary (Brochures)
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16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary (Manuals)
Impressions / Samples
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Capturing beautiful chaos with ease | Meg Loeks
As a mother who is constantly on the go and never seems to have quite enough hands, the SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary is my new go-to gear for documenting my children. The lightweight and compact design of these zoom lenses makes it easy for me to take them anywhere.
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From the art of capturing a subject and its background | Frédéric Mery
This new SIGMA 16-28mm F.2.8 DG DN | Contemporary has lots to offer. I do enjoy how compact it is, thanks to the fact that the zoom is built to operate internally, preventing changes to the size of the lens. As a result it actually feels more like a prime lens, making it easy to carry everywhere with you.
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The lens you’ll ever really need | Chris Martin Scholl
I’m happy to say that the SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary ticks all these boxes. Not only is it designed to be very small and light, it also offers an appealing focal length, all the way from a super-wide 16mm up to 28mm. On top of this it comes with a fast aperture of F2.8. This makes it perfect for architecture as you can have clean and sharp images for interiors, especially in dim light environments. The same goes for street photography because nimble movement is highly required for capturing the irreversible moments. In fact it might be the only lens you’ll ever really need.
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The lens frees my mind for the greater surroundings | Damien Largeron
With the SIGMA 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary, I have a companion ready for any adventure. This combo is super compact, light and balanced, and once I put it around my neck I hardly feel it anymore. And that’s a huge advantage when you’re rope climbing.
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16-28mm F2.8 DG DN | Contemporary Sample photo gallery