Inspiration

Mastering versatility - A game changer transforming photography and video.

Mastering versatility - A game changer transforming photography and video | SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art

- Jack Redgate

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F1.8, 1/400s, 38mm

The new SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art lens is nothing short of a huge game changer in the video and photo world, owing to its versatility, quality and performance. This will be the first zoom lens featuring a constant F1.8 aperture for full-frame cameras and with that it opens up the world of opportunity for video and photo creators with unparalleled results.

It means a future of not having to carry around multiple prime lenses to achieve a larger aperture on a full-frame camera, and that means more efficient shooting and flexibility that I am sure will be welcomed by many.

When I was first introduced to this lens I immediately noticed how lightweight and well-balanced it is for this type of optic. Being a hybrid shooter based outdoors who mainly works on crop-sensor cameras, I am now looking forward to advancing into the world of full-frame with this stand-out lens as my go-to.

* The images without photograph data have been created with lenses other than SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art

I have used the highly revered SIGMA 18-35mm F1.8 DC HSM | Art for many years now and this is definitely following in the footsteps of this great lens. The ability to have high-speed and precision when shooting video, along with minimal focal breathing, allows me to focus on the stories I want to tell with accuracy and creative freedom.

The ability to attain much more detail with full-frame sensors in both a wide and punched in perspective really set this lens aside from the rest when it comes to photography. Crop-sensors are great but I have seen myself how much transitioning over to full-frame improves the image quality and versatility of my images. I like to have as much information as possible when it comes to my edits, so combining a full-frame sensor with the sharp and expressive power of the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 F1.8 DG DN | Art is an amazing combination.

A key feature with gimbal shooters and even some handheld shooters is the internal zoom, which keeps the profile of the lens compact, helpful in tight spaces. But the main benefit of the inner zoom has to be that there is virtually no weight shift as you zoom in and out, which means the gimbal stays balanced without the need for adjustment. Anyone who uses gimbals will know how much of a pain that is when filming, and will probably find themselves in the market for this lens very soon.

For me I love to capture the everyday, the times spent getting to explore the outdoors, going to the locations, the experiences within and emotions felt while there. I also combine this with a passion for automotive photography. So having one lens that can show many variations of one scene is essential, and this lens presented me with the opportunity to do so. It meant I could visit multiple locations all in one day, be it with video or photo and whatever style I was going for. I’d know I have the options available to me to establish a scene, show the landscape details, follow along with any activities we carry out, and finally punch in to some details to bring it all together.

Because you have these options you can take your audience on a journey, tell a story and create meaningful content, while enjoying the process yourself because the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 F1.8 DG DN | Art has you covered.

Photography and film-making has shaped the way I see the world in so many ways. It makes you look at the details and memories and landscapes in your life in so many colourful, emotive and inspiring ways.My passion for creating content has stemmed from being a fairly outdoorsy child and taking in the world around me from right on my doorstep to places all across the planet.

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α6500, ISO 400, F2.2, 1/2000s, 45mm

It’s an essential part of my life as I look to carry on telling stories on important topics I feel strongly about, such as respecting our environment with a change of collective mindset. My work allows me to show the outdoors and the things that inspire me the most to others, in hope I get to help inspire them too.

Photo and video is my way of communicating. It’s my way to say how I feel when words fail. I think in many ways I’d be a much quieter person than I already am if I didn’t have an effective way of telling stories and emotions in this way, so taking an image or pressing ‘record’ means a great deal to me. Getting to also help do this for others inspires me daily, I love creating a story together and collectively looking back on something we have experienced as a group or as part of an idea to help promote someone else’s message.

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α6500, ISO 400, F1.8, 1/1250s, 45mm

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F2.5, 1/1000s, 28mm

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F2.5, 1/640s, 45mm

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F1.8, 1/640s, 29mm

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F2.5, 1/400s, 45mm

As you can probably tell, I get a lot of inspiration from outdoor spaces and living a life of adventure. Whether that’s taking a path less walked, less hiked or less driven, and spending moments where you could be watching TV in the outdoors collecting memories.

When I get that sense of inspiration, I like to spend time looking for and crafting images, which is something I’ve begun to do more recently. I like to slow down my thought process when planning a frame or scene, but then executing the actual making of the video or still effectively and without hesitation as the outdoors presents itself.

This is where the right camera gear is crucial. I need to feel like the setup I am using understands the direction I’m trying to take the shoot and this can be down to how I pack my camera bags and what gear I choose, and also down to the gear itself and characteristics I look for when investing in kit.

I need adaptability and the freedom to feel secure in what I’m shooting because the environments I shoot in don’t always present themselves with favourable conditions.

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F2, 1/1250s, 45mm

SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art, SONY α7S III, ISO 400, F2.5, 1/400s, 28mm

For me the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 DG DN | Art has the perfect blend of features and attributes I look for in my lenses, including weight distribution, clarity and speed. This lens delivers the right performance when it counts. Putting the lens through a few shoots already I can see how it’s going to hold up to more challenging conditions, especially when travelling, and I can’t wait to start integrating full-frame work into my portfolio thanks to this lens.

I think we will see the SIGMA 28-45mm F1.8 F1.8 DG DN | Art being used in a whole range of platforms both in the worlds of photography and videography. If you want to try this lens then definitely get ready for it to be staying on your camera for a while.

The flexibility it offers is going to solve a lot of problems for on-the-go shooters and those who want something to clean up their bag full of lenses. It’s undoubtedly going to make waves in the coming years as I see it integrated into many professionals’ workflows.

Jack Redgate
Professional Videographer and Photographer

Jack Redgate is originally from South East UK and currently based out of Wales. Growing up always exploring the outdoors, has really taught himself to appreciate the planet we live on, even if it is just on our doorstep. Being able to produce strong and vibrant content of the world around us is what inspires him most and changing our collective attitudes to our outdoor spaces.

He has always had an undying love for capturing the outdoors. It gives him a sense of purpose and belonging to explore and show the non-existent boundaries of our imagination. Capturing moments, moving or still, how he sees them and how he will then always remember them.


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