Sigma Lens Codes

When you see a price list for a lens or even get the lens it is covered in different types of codes which is supposed to give you information about the lens, but do you know what they all stand for. What we have done here is list out the codes we have been able to identify with their descriptions in order to give you a quick look up list when researching lenses.

Nikon D40, D40x and D60 cameras do not have a mechanical drive to focus lenses, so only lenses that contain an electronic focusing motors will work with these cameras. On the Sigma Lens Price comparison page we have highlighted those lenses that will work with these cameras.

For example: 28-300mm f3.5-6.3 DG IF ASP MACRO

28-300 is the zoom length from 28mm to 300mm

f3.5-6.3 is the aperture range where it is f3.5 at 28mm and f6.3 at 300mm

The codes below explain all the other letters DG IF ASP MACRO

ASP	Aspherical Lens Elements. A type of lenses that virtually eliminates the problem of coma and other types of lens aberration. The are particularly good at correcting distortion in wide-angle lenses as well as contributing to a lighter and smaller lens design.
APO	Apochromatic lenses. Uses special low dispersion glass for minimum colour aberration and telephoto quality improving contrast and sharpness. APO Zoom Marcos offer up to 1:2 magnification (one half lifesize) in the telephoto range with instant shifting from normal to macro shooting. APO Tele-Macros offer a 1:2 image size close focus, when the macro switch is engaged the zoom control ring is fixed at the telephoto end.
CONV	These lenses can be used with the APO Teleconverter EX. It can increase the focal length and will interface with the cameras automatic exposure function.
DC	Lenses which have been designed so that the image circle matches the smaller size of the image sensor of most Digital SLR's. Also compact and lightweight.
DG	Large aperture lenses with wide angles and short minimum focusing distances. Have peripheral illuminations so are the ideal lenses for Digital SLR cameras, but are still suitable for 35mm SLR's.
DF	Dual Focus. Disengages the linkage between the internal focusing mechanism and outer focusing ring when in the AF position. Allows holding of the lens as the focusing ring does not rotate during auto-focusing, but gives adequate focusing torque of the focus ring when manually focusing the lens.
DL	Deluxe. Full featured lenses and come with a custom lens hood, feature half stop increments on manual aperture settings, depth of field scale, distance scale, infrared correction mark.
EX	Excellence. Used to define professional type lenses, it denotes a superior build and optical quality.
HF	Helical Focus. Eliminates front lens rotation, allowing the use of a perfect hood and easy to use polarising filters.
HSM	Hypersonic Motor. Uses a motor driven by ultrasonic waves to provide quiet, high-speed Auto Focus. Virtually silent, highly responsive auto and manual focusing.
IF	Inner Focus. The lens is able to focus without physically changing its size, where optical movement is limited to the interior of the non-extending part of the lens barrel, allowing for a more compact and lightweight lens as well as closer focusing distances.
MACRO	Used on those lenses which have the ability to be used for close up (macro) photography. Some will have a magnification ratio of 1:3 focusing at 50cm, such as some of their standard Zoom lenses like the 28-300mm f/3.5-6.3 DG MACRO or 1:2 at 95cm for some of their telephoto zooms, like the 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG MACRO or 1:1 at 31.3cm for their dedicated macro lenses such as the 105mm f/2.8 EX DG
OS	Optical Stabilizer. Has a built in mechanism that compensates for camera shake. Alleviates camera movement when shooting by hand held camera.
RF	Rear Focusing. A system were all the lens elements are divided into specific groups, with only the rear group moving for focusing, making the auto-focus operation smoother and faster.
UC	Ultra Compact. The smallest, lightest lens of it's type.

If you come across any other abbreviations then please let us know so that we can research their meanings and extend the above list.

Remember to take a look at our Sigma Lens Price Comparison for details on what current lenses are on the market and at what cost.

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