A few years ago I broke the filter on my 24-70 2.8 Nikon lens. I felt quite the lucky guy, as that lens is about $1,800. The comments on the usefulness of that filter were mixed. I think the comments on how the new Sigma filter protects a lens will be different.
On December Sigma announced that they are developing a new ceramic glass filter that will be stronger than any other filter you know.
Sigma released a video that was very slick (we will link it below) but did not show much of the action. Now Sigma released another movie showing how a 49 gram metal ball is dropped from 127 centimeters onto the filter and the filter survives. (None of the other branded filters do… ). Why 127 centimeters, and why 49 grams? I don’t know. Maybe it those symbolize the first and last names of Sigma founders.
According to Sigma: the filter is “10x the strength of a conventional protective filter and 3x the strength of a chemically hardened glass filter“, which they prove in the video. Sigma also state that the filter is made of “Optically clear ceramic glass offers extremely high transmittance. Water-repellent (WR) coating reflects only 0.24 percent of visible light, thereby minimizing flare and ghosting” – but this we have not seen yet.
Sigma is yet to release pricing and availability, but they have also not released any photos that show the impact (or lack thereof) the new filter on optics.
Till that info becomes available, enjoy your Sunday filter crashing fix:
And here is the previous video, in case you are interested in the specs and technology behind this miracle glass:
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