Sigma’s New Lens Patent

credits: Sigma

Sigma just filed a patent for something pretty special: a 15mm f/1.2 lens for full-frame cameras. What makes it interesting is that it’s not designed as a fisheye, despite the ultra-wide angle and fast aperture. According to the patent, the lens would be about 16.3 cm long, which actually puts it just slightly longer than Sigma’s existing 15mm f/1.4 fisheye. A 15mm f/1.2 would be a first of its kind, no manufacturer has ever developed such a lens before.

So where would a lens like this even fit? The obvious answer is astrophotography, however Sigma already has a 14mm f/1.4 for that, released in 2023 and built specifically with astrophotography in mind. That makes this 15mm feel a bit redundant on paper. Sure, it’s a hair faster and a millimeter longer, but it’s hard to say if that would justify developing a whole new product. It’s also possible that this patent is more about exploring the idea than prepping for production.

Still, Sigma might actually produce this lens. Rumors say the company is working on two new lenses with specs that are “unprecedented,” though there are no real details yet. Whether this 15mm f/1.2 is one of them remains to be seen, but it would definitely stand out.