Sigma has brought the highly rated and versatile 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens to the Canon RF Line. The 18-50mm was first introduced in October 2021 for the Sony E-mount and L-mount. A year later, the Fujifilm X mount version was introduced. Canon RF fans have been waiting for this all-around workhorse, and now they can get their hands on it. This lens has the ideal mid-zoom range of 18-50mm (27-75mm full frame equivalent). It also has a fast f2.8 maximum aperture. Making this lightweight beauty a lens that might never leave your Canon RF mount camera. Let’s take a minute to go over some of the specifications of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF. And then, we can see if this is the right piece of optics for you.
Key Specs of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF
- Smallest and lightest F2.8 standard zoom for crop-sensor mirrorless cameras (as of Oct. 2021).
- Three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements provide superb optical quality.
- In-camera aberration correction eliminates optical distortion and vignetting.
- The thermally stable composite barrel construction (polycarbonate with thermal characteristics similar to aluminum), with slim internal metal parts, offers lightweight and functional strength.
- 7 rounded aperture blades offer smooth background blur (bokeh).
- Stepping motor provides swift, accurate, and quiet autofocus for still and video shooting.
- Working distance of just over an inch (2.7cm) from the front element at 18mm.
- It includes a petal-type hood to reduce ghosts and flaring while protecting the front lens element.
- High-precision, durable brass bayonet mount with dust and splash-resistant structure.
Features of the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF
Sigma’s contemporary line is designed for photographers who enjoy shooting various subjects and need a lightweight, adaptable lens. The Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF is a daily shooter for travel, food, vlogging, and many other genres.
Developed Specifically for Canon RF
When Sigma makes a lens such as the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF, it blends its skillful lens crafting with the technology of the company whose camera it is designed for. The 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary includes a control algorithm that optimizes communication speed and, thus, autofocus (AF) speed and accuracy. Your Sigma 18-50mm lens will feel at home on your Canon RF camera because it was made for it. Whether you are capturing portraits, street photography, or landscapes, fast and accurate AF is a boon for any photographer.
Close-up Work
With Sigma Contemporary lenses, versatility is the name of the game. The 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN is designed to cover many situations, including close-up work. With a working distance of just over an inch, the 18-50mm offers a magnification of 1:2.8. This allows you to capture intricate details in your environment when exploring your world. Whether you are shooting raindrops reflecting the new sun on fallen leaves or the cool design your barista made in your latte foam, the 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF is up for the task.
Dust and Splash-Resistant
An all-purpose lens can only be all-purpose if you can take it on your journeys. Whether that journey is around your neighborhood, country, or the world. One thing we photographers don’t want to worry about is a little dust or a sprinkling of rain damaging our precious gear. The 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF with its brass bayonet mount is splash and dust-resistant, allowing us to shoot more in more varied conditions and create the work we want. This is one of those features that seems so much less glamorous until you find yourself hit by a sudden shower and realize your lens is ok. Now, you can enjoy the cool raindrops and capture the world without fear.
Optical Quality
The Sigma18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF not only helps you brave the harsh weather but is also designed with first-class optical quality in mind. This quality is achieved through the use of three high-precision glass-molded aspherical elements. Blending 13 elements in 10 groups helps decrease weight and size while producing tack-sharp images with beautiful contrast. All this is done with a lens that weighs just 10.6oz (300g) and measures 2.7in. x 2.9in. (69.2mm x 74.5mm). Let’s not forget that the f2.8 aperture allows for creamy out-of-focus areas, which makes this little wonder ideal for street portraits.
Stepping Motor
While the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF is an ideal take-anywhere lens for photographers, its stepping motor and size make it an excellent tool for video shooters. A stepping motor allows for smooth, accurate, and precise autofocus, which is ideal for video shooters relying on continuous autofocus. This means no more sudden jumps in focus. As mentioned, the 18-50mm size and weight also make this lens gimbal-friendly. While the stepping motor is critical for pro-video, it is no less useful for those vlogging or shooting clips for social media or other content creators.
Who Should Use the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF
This lens is designed to be the lens you mount to your camera and never remove. Taking all the qualities of the Contemporary line, which include adaptability and consideration of size and weight, the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF shines as a single lens kit. I recommend this lens for any Canon RF shooter who works in various genres. This lens can cover 90% of my work; I suspect this is true for many professional and hobbyist shooters. Save for one or two specialty lenses with specific purposes like a long telephoto or super fast portrait lens, the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF might be the only lens you’ll ever use.
Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF Specification Chart
| Product Name | SIGMA 18-50mm F2.8 DC DN | Contemporary |
| Lens Construction | 13 elements in 10 groups (3 Aspherical Elements / 1 SLD Glass) |
| Angle of View | 73.4°-30.0° |
| Aperture | 7 Blades, Rounded Diaphragm, f2.8-22 |
| Minimum Focusing Distance | 12.1cm-30cm (From Sensor) |
| Maximum Magnification Ratio | 1:2.8(W) – 1:5(T) |
| Dimensions (Diameter x Length*) *From the front of the lens to mount | φ69.2mm x 74.5mm / φ2.7in. x 2.9in. |
| Weight | 300g / 10.6oz. |
| Supplied Accessories | LENS HOOD LH582-02 FRONT CAP LCF-55 III REAR CAP LCR II |
Conclusion
There is no surprise here; this lens in Sony and Fujifilm mount is tremendously popular for a reason. Canon shooters should be excited to have the Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 Contemporary Lens as an option for their do-anything lens. As someone who has been around for a long time. I can say that Sigma has become one of the most respected lens manufacturers. For example, their 3 lens lines speak volumes about how much they understand how photographers work. If you have not used a Sigma lens, this Sigma 18-50mm F2.8 for Canon might be the perfect entry point.
