Ceramic filter? Yes, says Sigma

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sigma ceramic filterFor many, if not most, of us, the word ‘ceramic’ conjures up visions of pots, plates and tiles. Sigma has other ideas, notably the Sigma Water Repellent (WR) Ceramic Protector, a lens filter that features new Clear Glass Ceramic material and provides enhanced protective qualities.

While the company has announced the product, it has given no information on either availability or pricing.

This shock- and scratch-resistant Clear Glass Ceramic was developed specifically for Sigma in partnership with a glass manufacturer. Made with a special heat treatment that evenly precipitates microcrystalline spinel throughout the materials, the Clear Glass Ceramic is apparently 10 times stronger than a conventional protective filter and three times the strength of a chemically strengthened filter.

The lens protector also contains WR coating, which repels water, dust and oil, and allows fingerprints to be easily removed.

This enhanced protection helps to preserve the lens and ensure long-term, top-notch image quality.

Key features of the Ceramic Protector:

  • Scratch-resistant – Much stronger than chemically strengthened glass and 10 times stronger than conventional filters
  • Thinner and lighter – Up to 50 percent thinner and up to 30 percent lighter than previous Sigma filters
  • High transmittance
  • Water- and oil-repellent coating – The coating reflects only 0.24 percent of visible light, thereby minimizing flare and ghosting. Its ability to repel both water and oil is also excellent, with water drops bouncing right off, and fingerprints easily removed.

Sigma says this filter will be offered in the most popular filter thread sizes – for front filter threads that are 67 to 105 mm.

Phase One now owns Mamiya

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The Mamiya 645DF+ is just one of many products now under the Phase One banner

The Mamiya 645DF+ is just one of many products now under the Phase One banner

Phase One, a 45 percent shareholder in Mamiya Digital Imaging (MDI) since 2009, has now acquired all the assets of MDI, taking total ownership for all aspects of design and development of medium-format camera systems, central shutters and lenses.

The newly-minted Phase One Japan says it is committed to developing new and custom designed “masterpiece leaf shutter optics in close partnership with top photographers, imaging companies and long term design partner Schneider Kreuznach.”

Phase One is a provider of open-platform, high-end camera systems and solutions. The company’s Capture One Pro and Media Pro software help streamline capture and post-production processes for both medium format and 35 mm cameras.