Continuing their approach of creating high-value products that people can’t seem to get enough of, Sigma has introduced a whole new line of CINE lenses specifically designed for cinematographers. The new lenses come in three different categories: the High Speed Zoom Line, the FF Zoom Line, and the FF High Speed Prime Line. In total, eight new CINE lenses have been announced and we have all the details right here from the announcement.
Sigma explained in their announcement that there has been an increasing demand for high-resolution cinema lenses, and that they believe they offer a new solution for cinematographers by way of value, range of selection, and technological optimization. In order to do so, Sigma has created its own production system for mass producing these high-performance lenses.
Sigma CINE 18-35mm T2 mounted to a RED Dragon.
Referred to as the “first phase,” Sigma plans to release two CINE zoom lenses in the USA and Japan for Canon EF and Sony E mount cameras by the end of 2016. After that, there will be another CINE zoom lens released in addition to five CINE prime lenses. Sigma also mentioned that there would be plans to develop additional zoom and prime lenses and add support for PL mount cameras in the future. Below we cover specifications for the three zoom and five prime CINE lenses announced today.
High Speed Zoom Line
| High Speed Zoom Line | 18-35mm T2 | 50-100mm T2 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 18-35mm | 50-100mm | |
| Aperture | T2.0 to T 16 | T2.0 to T 16 | |
| Close Focus | 0.28 m / 11" | 0.95 m / 3'2" | |
| Image Coverage | S35 Digital Φ28.4 | S35 Digital Φ28.4 | |
| Front Diameter | 95mm | 95mm | |
| Filter Size | 82mm | 82mm | |
| Length | PL mount | TBD | TBD |
| EF mount | 129.5mm | 175.2mm | |
| E mount | 155.5mm | 201.2mm | |
| Weight | PL mount | TBD | TBD |
| EF mount | 1445g | 1885g | |
| E mount | 1505g | 1945g | |
| Super 35 | 76.1° - 43.8° | 31.5° - 16.0° | |
| APS-C | 76.5° - 44.2° | 31.7° - 16.1° |
Sigma CINE 18-35mm T2
Sigma CINE 50-100mm T2
FF Zoom Line
| FF Zoom Line | 24-35mm T2.2 FF | |
|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 24-35mm | |
| Aperture | T2.2 to T 16 | |
| Close Focus | 0.28 m / 11" | |
| Image Coverage | FF Φ43.3 | |
| Front diameter | 95mm | |
| Filter Size | 82mm | |
| Length | EF mount | 122.7mm |
| E mount | 148.7mm | |
| Weight | EF mount | 1440g |
| E mount | 1500g | |
| Full Frame | 84.1°- 63.4 ° | |
| Super 35 | 60.8° - 43.8° | |
| APS-C | 61.2° - 44.2° |
Sigma CINE 24-35mm T2.2
FF High Speed Prime Line
| FF High Speed Prime Line | 20mm T1.5 FF | 24mm T1.5 FF | 35mm T1.5 FF | 50mm T1.5 FF | 85mm T1.5 FF | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Focal Length | 20mm | 24mm | 35mm | 50mm | 85mm | |
| Aperture | T1.5 to T16 | T1.5 to T16 | T1.5 to T16 | T1.5 to T16 | T1.5 to T16 | |
| Close Focus | 0.276m / 11" | 0.25 m / 10" | 0.30 m / 1' | 0.40 m/ 1'4" | 0.85 m / 2'10" | |
| Image Coverage | FF Φ43.3 | FF Φ43.3 | FF Φ43.3 | FF Φ43.3 | FF Φ43.3 | |
| Front diameter | 95mm | 95mm | 95mm | 95mm | 95mm | |
| Filter Size | No filter | 82mm | 82mm | 82mm | 86mm | |
| Length | PL mount | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| EF mount | 118mm | 95mm | 95mm | 102mm | 134.5mm | |
| E mount | 144mm | 121mm | 121mm | 128mm | 160.5mm | |
| Weight | PL mount | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
| EF mount | 1335g | 1125g | 1135g | 1295g | 1475g | |
| E mount | 1395g | 1185g | 1165g | 1355g | 1535g | |
| Full Frame | 94.5° | 84.1˚ | 63.4˚ | 46.8˚ | 28.6˚ | |
| Super 35 | 70.3° | 60.8˚ | 43.8˚ | 31.5˚ | 18.8˚ | |
| APS-C | 70.8° | 61.2° | 44.2˚ | 31.7˚ | 18.9˚ |
Sigma CINE 20mm T1.5
Sigma CINE 24mm T1.5
Sigma CINE 35mm T1.5
Sigma CINE 50mm T1.5
Sigma CINE 85mm T1.5
All Sigma CINE lenses will be weatherproof and feature luminous paint marking for operation in the dark. Each CINE lens has 180 degrees of focus rotation, manual linear iris control, and electronic mounts for metadata. Sigma has not yet provided pricing for the new CINE line, but we will update you once it is announced. You can find more information about the new CINE lineup on the Sigma website.
I wasn't expecting this from Sigma. It looks promising. I hope it is not that expensive.
It's certainly going to be interesting to see how they fare against the go-to's like Arri, Leica, and Zeiss. My guess is they're going to be on the lower-end like Xeen and Canon. They'll be a great buy for some smaller rental houses, film schools, or studios, but I don't really expect to see them in use on any show that has the budget for a legit camera package.
After comparing the specs on both sets, I have a sneaking suspicion these Cine primes are re-housed Art lenses. They all have the same minimum focus distance, number of aperture blades, and similar constructions (i.e. the 20mm Cine lens has a protruding front element just like the Art lens). What you're going to be paying for is the premium Cine housing (plus weather sealing) and improved focusing mechanisms.
If these are priced well, they could be a good deal. Too much, however, and you might as well just stick with getting the Art lenses.
Two additional things that come to mind:
- If these are the same optical elements as the Art series lenses, a T1.5 rating is phenomenal. Arri Master Primes, some of the best and most expensive Cine lenses on the market, are rated at T1.3. So, a little under half a stop of difference.
- If these Cine lenses are re-housed Art lenses, then it's looking pretty good that we'll see an 85mm F1.4 Art pretty soon.
The thing is with Cine Lenses is the longer throw on the focus ring. Makes a huge difference in terms of pulling focus. That's the main reason I'm considering picking up like an 85mm cine lens or a 50-100 for a bit more versatility (hoping these are parafocal).
The identical placement and diameter of the focus and iris rings as well as the size of the outer barrel are another key feature. This is a huge advantage when changing lenses on set and using a matte box and/or a follow focus (electronic or manual).
"cine-modifying" lenses is fairly common, and there are boutique companies that do it aftermarket for older film lenses and the like.
If the performance of these lenses is anything equal or superior to the Art lens Dynasty.... LOL!!! OMG this is going to be AWESOME!
That is freaking awesome. I love the Sigma Art series, and would definitely consider these... almost bought into the Rokinon Xeen series this summer, but these may have been worth waiting.
SHUT UP AND TAKE MY MONEY!!!!
Actually, I'd need to see some sample shots and prices but nive. There are a lot of good choices for cinema Lenses these days.
Xeen, Rockinon, Canon, Zeiss ... and now Sigma.
I don't have the budget for the higher end Cinema lenses so I shoot on my EF lenses but I've been toying with the idea of picking up some Rockinon lenses.
Wow! Pretty glad I didn't order the GL Optics rehoused ART lenses! However I do wish that the focus throw was more then 180 degrees for these.
Nice. Hoping this is going to be a nice alternative to the more expensive lines.