SIGMA Auto Focus Cine Lens Prototype to be Shown at IBC

Lens NewsIBC 2024

by Omri Keren LapidotAugust 2^nd, 2024

SIGMA has just recently released their 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN Art, the world’s fastest full-frame zoom lens with a constant f/1.8 aperture. While the lens design suits video workflow, SIGMA never stops to rest and will showcase a new cine prototype based on the 28-45mm f/1.8 design. Not much information has yet to be disclosed, but the mere notion of this new prototype sparks interest. It will also be SIGMA’s first auto-focus cine lens, so there is quite some innovation there.

Before you get too excited, the image shown above is our “artist rendition” of what the new Cine-AF zoom from SIGMA could look like – they have not actually released any images yet.

SIGMA boasts an impressive track record of record-breaking lenses. The Japanese manufacturer decided to take a unique path over a decade ago, touted as the “Global Vision.” This move shifted SIGMA away from the cheaper alternative lens segment to the high-end, no-compromise elite lens lineup dubbed the SIGMA Art series. The Art line mostly consists of fast-aperture prime lenses but some zoom lenses are also included, the 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN being one of them.

The age of ultra-fast zooms

The first zoom to make it into the Art series, and a major landmark in the field of ultra-fast zoom lenses, is the SIGMA 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens. Announced in 2013 (and still in stock today) for APS-C sensor DSLRs, this lens became widely popular among videographers and photographers alike. Enabling depth of field that wasn’t available for APS-C users up to that point, the lens became an instant (and continuous) success. Some of our readers may be too young to remember, but in those dark ages at the turn of the millennium, high ISO wasn’t as good as it is today. The elevated light-gathering capabilities offered by the f/1.8 aperture represented a meaningful improvement in image quality.

The new ultra-fast zoom lens segment gained popularity over time. SIGMA created several “spin-offs,” like the 50-100mm f/1.8, a tele companion for the 18-35mm, a full frame 24-35mm f/2 that was the fastest full-frame zoom upon its announcement, and Cine versions for all of them. Canon later followed with the impressive, expensive, and massive RF 28-70mm f/2 L USM. Panasonic added the 10-25mm and 25-50mm f/1.7 zoom duo, and Tamron created the unique 35-150mm f/2-2.8. SIGMA’s 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN is a full-frame version of the 18-35mm f/1.8 (of sorts). It offers a significantly shallower depth of field and will benefit from the bigger sensors’ light-gathering advantages, but it faces much stiffer competition.

Hybrid vs Cine

Hybrid gear is somewhat of a fluid segment. It seems that whatever gear is designed for stills but used for video is worthy of the Hybrid title. However, in recent years we have seen more and more manufacturers emphasizing video workflow into stills-oriented gear. In the optics segment, we’ve seen several adaptations: de-clickable aperture rings, linear focus, reduced focus breathing, and more. While the SIGMA 28-45mm f/1.8 DG DN incorporates all those features, it still lacks some meaningful adaptations crucial for filmmaking.

What should we expect?

While we can’t yet confirm the actual features of the future SIGMA cine lens, there are some we can expect. Geared control rings will probably find their place, as well as long, linear focus throw. I’m interested to see how SIGMA will incorporate autofocus functionality and what compromises will be made here. I presume we’ll see a parfocal design and no perceivable focus breathing, but we’ll have to wait and see.

Are you looking for a fast cine-zoom? Will the 28-45mm range work for you? Do you absolutely need Cine features such as geared rings or can you work around those and take the current hybrid version? Let us know in the comments.