Sigma Cine 28-105mm T3 FF Cine 105mm

The 28-105mm focal range is this lens's one bright spot, scoring in the 86th percentile for versatility. But optical performance sits at a grim 16th percentile, and autofocus ranks even lower at the 14th, so you're trading image quality for zoom flexibility. At a street price that swings from $3399 to $4677, it's a tough sell unless you desperately need an autofocus cine zoom in a single package.

Let's talk numbers. The zoom range is where this lens shines. At 28-105mm, it's well above average for versatility, putting it ahead of the vast majority of lenses in our database. That 86th percentile ranking means you can go from a medium-wide establishing shot to a tight portrait without swapping glass. The minimum focus distance of 400mm gives you a 1:3.1 magnification, which is about average for macro performance (57th percentile). Not a true macro lens, but close enough for detail shots.

But here's where things get dicey. The T3 maximum aperture is constant, which is nice for exposure consistency, but T3 isn't exactly fast. It's in the 19th percentile, meaning nearly 80% of the lenses in our database open wider. For a cine lens, that's par for the course—you're trading speed for zoom range and size—but it's still a limitation in low light. Optical sharpness and control of aberrations rank at a disappointing 16th percentile, which is a real letdown for a lens aimed at professional video. Autofocus, despite being a headline feature, lands in the 14th percentile—so if you're hoping for snappy video AF, keep expectations in check. Build quality also disappoints at the 11th percentile, and there's no image stabilization, which drags the stabilization score down to the 34th percentile. It's a lens with one standout strength and a lot of mediocre numbers behind it.

Stacked against lenses in our database, the Sigma's competition is a mixed bag, mostly because there aren't many cine zooms with AF in this price range. The Nikon NIKKOR Z 17-28mm f/2.8 is a full stop faster and optically superior, but it's a stills lens without cine gearing or a constant T-stop. If you're shooting video on a Nikon body, it might make more sense. The Panasonic Lumix G X Leica DG 12-35mm f/2.8 offers similar constant-aperture zoom flexibility for Micro Four Thirds shooters at a much lower cost, but with a smaller sensor and no cine housing. Then there's the Viltrox AF 9mm F2.8 E, an ultra-wide prime that's faster and sharper but completely fixed focal length. The Sigma's real advantage is its combination of AF, zoom range, and cine build. But if you don't need the cine form factor, most modern stills zooms will beat it on optical quality and autofocus speed for less money.

Pricing on this Sigma is all over the map—literally. We're seeing it listed from $3399 to $4677, a $1278 difference between vendors. That's a huge spread, and it means you absolutely need to compare stores before pulling the trigger. At around $3400, you're getting a dedicated cine zoom with autofocus and a useful focal range, but you're also accepting optical and build quality that rank in the bottom 15% of all lenses we've tested. Compared to stills-focused zooms that offer similar or better sharpness and faster apertures for half the price, the value equation hinges on whether you absolutely need cine-style gearing and a de-clicked aperture. For solo video shooters who need AF and a flexible zoom, the lower end of the price range makes it a somewhat justifiable investment. Above $4000, though, you're paying a premium for a spec sheet that doesn't fully deliver.

The Sigma 28-105mm T3 FF Cine Zoom is a bit of an odd duck on paper. It lands in the 86th percentile for versatility, which makes sense given that 3.75x zoom range covering wide to short telephoto. But dig into the other numbers and you'll see it's a mixed bag: optical quality sits at just the 16th percentile, and autofocus performance ranks in the 14th percentile among all lenses we've tested. That's not a typo. For a lens that leans so heavily on its AF switch as a selling point, that's a real head-scratcher.

Weighing in at 1300g with a constant T3 aperture, it's clearly built for video work, not casual snapshots. The 12-blade aperture promises soft bokeh, but our bokeh metric only ranks at the 33rd percentile, so don't expect magic. The $3399 to $4677 price spread across vendors means you'll want to shop around, but even at the low end, you're paying a premium for that cine badge and the convenience of autofocus on a Sony E-mount cinema zoom. Whether that's worth it depends entirely on your tolerance for its weak spots.

Skip this lens if you shoot in low light, need tack-sharp images, or rely on snappy autofocus. The T3 aperture is dimmer than 80% of lenses we've tested, so you'll struggle in dim venues without heavy lighting. Optical quality ranks in the bottom 16%, so if sharpness and contrast are non-negotiable, look elsewhere. Wildlife and sports shooters should run away—this lens scored a 10/100 in our wildlife_sports category, and without stabilization, tracking fast subjects is a chore. Video shooters who need parfocal operation or a lighter build will also be disappointed: 1300g is a lot to fly on a gimbal without good support, and the build quality is outright poor for a cine lens (11th percentile).

The Sigma 28-105mm T3 FF Cine Zoom is a lens that bets big on versatility and autofocus, but the execution leaves too many holes. Its zoom range is genuinely useful for video work, putting it in the top 14% of lenses for versatility, but that's the only number that impresses. Subpar optical quality (16th percentile), sluggish AF (14th percentile), and a build that feels more budget than cinema (11th percentile) make it hard to recommend at these prices. If you're a Sony E-mount shooter who needs a single cine zoom with AF for run-and-gun work, it might earn a spot in your kit—just know that you're sacrificing image quality and speed for that convenience. Everyone else should look elsewhere or wait for a sale closer to the $3400 mark.