Sigma has been creating clinically sharp lenses for as long as we can remember. In fact, we have a whole guide dedicated to their primes, which we haven’t updated since 2020. The reason isn’t that we haven’t got the time but that Sigma chose to stop sending us their lenses for review. In short, they cut us off because we spoke the truth. That’s the price we have to pay for being journalists, and that’s something we live with. However, this post isn’t about that; it is about an interesting new patent that the company recently filed. They are researching two distinct focal lengths, and we wonder who exactly it is for.
Two F1.8 Lenses May Be on the Way
The report, first revealed by Asobinet (via Sony Alpha Rumors), states that Sigma filed for a patent in October. The lenses are supposed to be for full-frame mirrorless cameras. They may work on the 50-100mm f1.8 and the 45-90mm f1.8 focal lengths. Here’s a look at what the lenses appear like:
Example 1
Focal length: 50.79-99.56
F-number: 1.86-1.87
Angle of view: 50.69-25.50
Image height: 23.15
Overall length: 235.00-234.99
Back focus: 18.40-19.53
Example 2
Focal length: 44.98-88.61
F-number: 1.86-1.87
Angle of view: 56.51-28.50
Image height: 23.15
Overall length: 220.01-208.95
Back Focus: 16.91-18.26
The report further states that they will work on a different variant since the company recently launched the 28-45mm f1.8 DG DN. However, a quick search on the internet will reveal that a 45-90mm is a rarity and is also used by cinematographers. Hawk had designed one version for cinematographers, while P. Angenieux Paris had designed one for Leicaflex or Leica film cameras. However, in both instances, the lenses have an f/2.8 aperture. So, an f1.8 would mean that the lens could be bulky, akin to Sigma’s older lenses.
Similarly, the 50-100mm f1.8 could be patented with the hopes of reviving its same focal length, which was discounted recently. Again, the focal length was the first of its kind and also quite heavy at 1,490g.
We May Sound Like A Broken Record, But Sigma Needs to Do Better
As the sub-headline suggests, we have said this over and over, but it seems Sigma has other plans. In a time when lenses are becoming more compact, Sigma wants to stick to the past. The whole idea of a mirrorless camera was to make the camera as compact as possible, but then lugging around a lens of about 1.4kg is quite the antithesis. If you are a portrait or wedding photographer, you will need to hit the gym before you think about lifting these lenses.
Furthermore, the 45-90mm is clearly designed with cinematographers in mind. A lot of people who shoot movies rely on the lens, and if photographers do pick it up, they are likely to stick to the longer end for portraits or wildlife. A constant aperture also means that the lens will have many elements, and moving them around could result in a slower autofocus. In fact, that is another thing we mentioned before.
Compact cameras are also gaining momentum, and people are getting tired of “clean-looking” images, making us wonder what Sigma is thinking about. They are also now officially making a lens for the RF, which is all the more reason to try to be innovative. Many camera brands offer similar focal lengths, which may cost slightly more but weigh less. Then there are the third-party lenses, changing how we look at lenses altogether. This means Sigma has a long way to go. And if they don’t innovate now, they may be beaten by others.