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Sigma Corporation has created a series of wide-aperture lenses over the years. While there are more options in the f1.4 range, such as the 23mm f1.4, the 50mm f1.4 DG, and the 85mm f1.4, the number reduces a little with f1.2. However, it appears that the company is keen on expanding its range, as a new patent has recently been made public. How do they aim to achieve this? Let’s have a quick look.
First spotted by Asobinet, Sigma published a new patent number, P2025124346, in August. The patent showcases six different designs for prime lenses: 35mm, 50mm, and 85mm with f1.2 or f1.4 apertures. While the patent was filed last year, the company has released the design this year. Here’s a look.
Filed on February 14, 2024, by Sigma Corporation, the application outlines a design that balances compact size, reduced weight, and high optical performance. The system uses a floating focus mechanism with aspherical elements, aiming to correct issues such as distortion and focus breathing—a shift in field of view that occurs while refocusing, which is especially distracting in video work.
Example 1
- Focal length: 48.27
- F-number: 1.24
- Angle of view: 47.90
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 123.38
- Back focal length: 17.4116
Example 2
- Focal length: 82.63
- F-number: 1.24
- Angle of view: 28.98
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 136.91
- Back focus: 17.1880
Example 3
- Focal length: 35.06
- F-number: 1.24
- Angle of view: 62.68
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 125.79
- Back focal length: 17.7164
Example 4
- Focal length: 48.89
- F-number: 1.43
- Angle of view: 48.85
- Image height: 22.50
- Total length: 102.43
- Back focal length: 17.1875
Example 5
- Focal length: 33.61
- F-number: 1.44
- Angle of view: 65.06
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 105.02
- Back focal length: 17.3099
Example 6
- Focal length: 83.29
- F-number: 1.46
- Angle of view: 28.78
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 110.01
- Back focal length: 16.0126
The lenses are said to balance compact size, reduced weight, and high optical performance. The floating focus mechanism with aspherical elements is said to correct distortion and focus breathing. The lens is also said to help people who shoot videos, as the control over distortion and focus breathing can be helpful.
As we said, Sigma has two f1.2 lenses in its mirrorless range: the 35mm f1.2 Art DG DN and the 50mm f1.2 Art. However, the challenge with these lenses is their size and weight, which is quite a lot for an f1.2 lens. While new bright aperture lenses can be helpful, the question remains: Can Sigma redesign them for the better? As the resolution becomes bigger, then lenses have to excel in capturing flare and sharpness.
Since there are already two lenses in the f1.2 range, it remains to be seen whether the others will be in other categories, such as Contemporary, which is more cost-effective. However, it is possible these are for research purposes and may not become a reality soon. Sigma has created some exceptional lenses, but they are quite huge, which makes things challenging. “The autofocus of the 35mm lenses on the market for the Sony E and Leica L systems, it’s probably the slowest,” as we said in our review.
If the company fixes these shortcomings, they will certainly going to have a winner on their hands.
