SIGMA U.S. to Raise Prices Due to Imposed Tariffs

Lens News

by Dave KratzMay 8^th, 2025

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Starting June 2, 2025, SIGMA Corporation of America will raise prices across their product lineup due to newly imposed U.S. tariffs. The company shared the news in a letter from SIGMA America President Mark Amir-Hamzeh, marking yet another cost increase for filmmakers and photographers already feeling the pressure.

“We have made every effort to absorb these added expenses,” Amir-Hamzeh wrote, “but the sustained impact of the tariffs now necessitates a price increase to ensure we can continue delivering the quality and service you expect.”

Tariffs hit the gear shelf

This isn’t the first time gear prices have climbed because of shifting trade policy. Over the past year, U.S. tariffs have started to affect the actual tools we rely on, not just imported media. We covered the broader implications in our article “Trump Proposes 100% Tariff on Films Produced Outside the U.S.”. Now that impact has reached equipment like lenses, cameras, and support systems.

SIGMA lenses, like most professional optics, are manufactured in Japan. The new tariffs increase the cost of bringing them into the U.S., and SIGMA has confirmed that the added expense is too much to continue absorbing.

SIGMA tariffs – order before June 1

SIGMA will honor current prices through June 1, 2025. Orders placed before that date will still receive the existing pricing, as long as the product is in stock. On June 2, the new higher prices will take effect for all purchases, including backorders.

The company has not yet provided specific figures, but based on industry patterns, prices could rise by 10-25%. On a $999 lens, that could mean an additional $100 to $250. High-end cine lenses may see even larger increases.

My advice is simple. If you have plans to buy SIGMA gear, place the order now. You might not get another chance at these prices.

The PYXIS situation showed us that this can happen fast

At NAB 2025, Blackmagic Design announced the PYXIS 12K camera with a launch price of $4,995. Just days later, the company revealed that tariffs would force the U.S. price to rise to $6,595, a 32% increase.

The reaction was swift. Customers canceled preorders, rental houses hit pause, and forums lit up with frustration.

Blackmagic responded quickly. By shifting some of their manufacturing and logistics strategy, the company was able to reduce the U.S. price to $5,495. It wasn’t back to the original figure, but the drop helped restore some confidence.

We covered that development in detail in this article. The situation proved that even the most agile companies are struggling to keep gear affordable in this current trade environment.

What you can do right now

The bigger issue is that the U.S. does not have a large-scale lens manufacturer ready to take over. Nearly every professional lens comes from Japan, Germany, or China. When tariffs hit those regions, U.S.-based filmmakers and creators take the hit.

That’s not going to change overnight. Starting a new optics company with the experience and resources to match SIGMA or Canon would take years. In the meantime, prices will continue to rise, and working professionals will face more financial pressure.

If this affects your business, say something. Call your representatives and let them know. Tell them how these policies are impacting your clients and your income. And if you are not registered to vote, take care of it now. The midterm elections are coming in November 2026, and your voice matters.

This gear is not optional. These are the tools that keep projects alive, teams employed, and stories told. We need to protect access to them, not price people out of the work they love.

How do you feel about the increase in prices? Share your thoughts in the comments.