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Sigma has been growing its telephoto range, with the most recent addition being the 300-600mm f4 Sports announcement. However, the world is trying to step ahead, with 800mm being the new norm. Tamron reportedly has been working on its 200-800mm lens, with Sigma now also said to join the ranks. Per a new report, the company has published patents for new super telephoto lenses, of which two showcase an 800mm range. Let’s have a look!
Sigma Showcases Three Designs
According to Asobinet, Sigma’s patent P2025085984 was published on June 6. It showcases three different zoom lenses: 300-600mm f4, 400-800mm f8, 180-800mm f5.8-8.4. Per the patent, the design is supposed to help reduce “the overall length and weight” of the whole lens, while reducing optical aberrations across the zoom range.
Example 1
- Focal length: 309.00-579.00
- F-number: 4.11-4.12
- Angle of view: 7.89-4.21
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 480.57
- Back focus: 34.6000
Example 2
- Focal length: 409.00-785.00
- F-number: 8.20-8.21
- Angle of view: 5.96-3.09
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 447.39
- Back focus: 38.9535
Example 3
- Focal length: 185.40-785.00
- F-number: 5.76-8.39
- Angle of view: 13.15-3.09
- Image height: 21.63
- Total length: 478.85
- Back focus: 40.1124
What Does The Patent Mean?
The 300-600mm f4 patent is not similar to the recently launched Sigma lens. So, this could be another variant. Or, that the already launched lens adopted a different design. Either way, it is possible that the company only added the patent for research purposes, rather than launching another lens of the same focal range.
As for 400-800mm and 180-800mm, the new patent design showcases a shorter length than the 300-600mm design. This means the two lenses will be more compact and easier to carry around. However, the challenge of the 400-800mm is that the large aperture, with f8 being the starting point, will hurt many photographers. There are, instead, other options such as the Canon RF200-800mm f6.3-9 IS USM and Sony FE 400-800mm f6.3-8 G OSS, which give you a brighter aperture. Instead, the 180-800mm f5.6-8 could be a better addition for Sigma, since the other two brands already have a f6.3 variant.
Of course, along with the aperture, price will also matter. The Sony variant costs over $3000, while the Canon version is around $1900. If Sigma can price it lower, closer to $1500 or so, then we may have a winner.
Sigma has been working on its brand image, and we have seen that with the launch of the BF camera. While this is good news, we do hope that its new lenses do include better stabilization, autofocus, and a smaller design. We do believe they can achieve this as long as they are willing to grow.
