Sigma’s new lens protector uses heat-treated ceramic glass

If you’ve been looking to get a new protective filter for your newest lens, you can go ahead and stop looking now.

Sigma has unveiled the WR (Water Repellant) Ceramic Protector, a lineup of protective lens filters claimed to be the ‘world’s first highly shock-resistant and scratch-resistant clear glass ceramic protective filter.’

Said to be 300% stronger and 30% lighter than chemically-hardened glass filters, what sets Sigma’s newest filter apart from others in the business is the clear glass ceramic and specialized treatment Sigma has developed.

Unlike glass filters strengthened with chemical treatments, such as Hoya’s HD3 lineup, Sigma uses a heat treatment that penetrates entirely through the glass to create a filter that’s stronger all the way through, not just on the surface.

The result is a filter that is more resistant to scratches, chips and shattering.

As for optical quality, the Sigma WR Ceramic Protector Filter also claims to provide 99.76% light transmission, putting it fractionally above the 99.7% of the aforementioned Hoya HD3 UV Filters.

Below is a video from Sigma explaining the technology behind the WR Ceramic Protector:

The filters come in 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm, 86mm, 95mm and 105mm sizes – more than enough to cover almost any lenses you have in your bag. Pricing and availability are yet to be announced, but as the adage goes, if you have to ask the price…well…you know the rest.