Burbank, CA—Sigma Corporation of America announced that its 65mm T1.5 FF Sigma Cine Prime lens was selected as the benchmark cine lens for the Giant Screen Cinema Association’s (GSCA) Camera Assessment Test.
GSCA unveiled the results of the CAT during the Filmmakers Symposium portion of the GSCA Film Expo, held March 11–13 at the AMC Citywalk IMAX Theater & Universal City Hilton. Sigma is a leading camera as well as lens manufacturer for both photography and cinema applications.
“We are honored that the GSCA selected the Sigma 65mm T1.5 FF Cine Prime as the benchmark lens to assess these leading cine cameras in the most demanding real-world situations,” commented Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of SIGMA America. “This demonstrates Sigma’s dedication to crafting exceptionally high-performing lenses for filmmaking.”
Sigma Cine Prime Lens: Benchmark
Further, a team of cinematography professionals—led by renowned cinematographer James Neihouse, ASC, and Michael Daut, cochair of the GSCA Innovations Committee—conducted an extensive test. The test showcased the strengths of six higher-than-6K-resolution cameras. The objective was to provide filmmakers with information on how each camera performs in challenging shooting situations. Moreover, the test involved a wide range of cameras, lenses, shooting scenarios and locations.
“The evaluation required lenses that provided sharp, clean, crisp images while being as ‘neutral’ as possible,” said Neihouse, ASC. “We chose the Sigma 65mm T1.5 FF Cine Prime lens for its exceptional corner to corner sharpness. And its ability to cover a full frame (Vista Vision) size sensor. In Giant Screen documentaries, we like an image that is as close to reality as possible. Which is why we liked this Sigma lens. The team also considered other lenses but rejected them for bringing their own ‘look’ to the images.”
Six cameras went through rigorous testing. The testing examined sensor size and resolution, sensor space, compression, dynamic range, log space, RAW capture, lens mount, recording media, usability, reliability, flexibility as well as support. The six selected cameras were the ARRI Alexa 35, Canon R5C, Kinefinity MAVO Edge 8K, RED V Raptor XL, Sony Alpha 1 and Sony Venice 2.
Giant Screen Cinema Association 
GSCA supports, grows, fortifies as well as sustains the international network of premium giant screen theaters and content creators. It provides immersive, transformational, educational and cinematic experiences. GSCA’s membership includes more than 200 organizations in 20+ countries. They include museums, science centers and other institutions with giant screen theaters; production and postproduction professionals; content distributors; manufacturers; service providers; and other related businesses. GSCA is a member-driven organization with a full-time staff that works to meet the association’s needs and promote its members’ interests.
