Digital Camera News, Reviews and Tips
The Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM builds upon Sigma’s popular 10-20mm f/4-5.6 lens with a brighter f/3.5 aperture. The new lens continues with the same EX build quality and speedy hypersonic autofocus motor. The Sigma 10-20mm F3.5 EX DC HSM will be available for Sigma, Canon, Nikon, Sony and Pentax DSLRs.
More details from Sigma’s press release below. [Read more…]
Today, Sigma announced a new super-range zoom lens, the 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM. The new Sigma 18-250mm F3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM will be available in March 2009 in Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony and Sigma mounts.
The combination of optical stabilization (OSM) and the hypersonic motor (HSM) makes this lens very attractive as a consumer-level all purpose lens. In my opinion, Canon really botched the opportunity to make solid super-zoom lens with its new EF-S 18-200mm IS lens by failing to put a USM motor inside it, which has resulted in a slower and noiser autofocus. If the price is right, perhaps this Sigma 18-250mm lens can fill that void with a fast focus speed and optical stabilization.
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Canon Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Nikon Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Sony Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras
Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM IF Lens for Sigma Digital SLR Cameras
More details in the press release below. [Read more…]
A big move for Sigma, the company has purchased Foveon, Inc, which developed the Foveon sensor. The Foveon is a 3-layer sensor, which detects the three primary colors in each pixel. Expect more from the Foveon in Sigma’s cameras next year and the years to come. The full press release follows.
Sigma Corporation Acquires Three-layer Image Sensor Developer Foveon, Inc.
Kawasaki, Japan, November 11th, 2008 – Sigma Corporation (Location: Kawasaki, Japan) has acquired 100% of the stock of the company that developed the original three-layer image sensor, Foveon Inc. Foveon will continue its sensor development operations in San Jose, CA, USA.
Foveon made history when it developed and patented the world’s first three-layer image capture technology, placing a stack of RGB pixels in each pixel location. As a result, Foveon sensors detect all three primary colors in every pixel location, producing images that are sharper and have significantly reduced image artifacts compared to competing image sensor technologies. [Read more…]
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC CIRCULAR FISHEYE HSM the first Circular Fisheye lens exclusively for use with APS-C size digital SLR cameras and 10mm F2.8 EX DC FISHEYE HSM diagonal fisheye lens exclusively for use with APS-C size digital SLR cameras for Sony and Pentax fitting cameras.
This autofocus circular fisheye lens has an angle of view of 180 degrees in all directions. It is exclusively designed for digital SLR cameras with the APS-C size image sensor. When used in conjunction with digital SLRs with APS-C size image sensor, it produces circular image within the frame. The minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch and maximum magnification of 1:6 make it particularly useful for close-up photography. SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, Super Multi Layer Coating and inner focusing system provides superior image quality. HSM ensures fast and quiet autofocusing and includes full-time manual focus.
* AF will not function if the camera bodies do not support Supersonic Direct-drive Motor or Super Sonic Motor.
This diagonal fisheye lens is designed for use with digital SLR cameras equipped with an APS-C size image sensor. It produces a diagonal angle of view of 180 degrees. The diagonal field of view of this fisheye lens produces striking images with exaggerated perspective and distortion. This lens has a minimum focusing distance of 13.5cm/5.3inch, and maximum magnification 1:3.3. It allows subjects to be as close as 1.8cm/0.7inch from the lens’ front element. The exclusively designed integral hood and the Super Multi-Layer Coating minimize flare and ghosting and create superior image quality.
* AF will not function if the camera bodies do not support Supersonic Direct-drive Motor or Super Sonic Motor.
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new ELECTRONIC FLASH MACRO EM-140 DG for Sony and Pentax cameras.
ELECTRONIC FLASH MACRO EM-140 DG is designed to work with both AF 35mm film and Digital SLR cameras. The EM-140 DG Macro Flash is ideal for photographing subjects in fine detail when the shadowless mode is used and is extremely effective for scientific and medical applications. Dual flash tubes can fire simultaneously or separately. Using only one flashtube creates shadow, which can give a three-dimensional feeling to the subject. The flash features a guide number of 14 w/ISO 100. The Modeling Flash function makes it possible to check for reflections and shadows before actually taking the flash picture. A wireless flash function is also available, when the EM-140 DG is used as master and the EF-530 DG SUPER as a slave unit for creating fine shadow details. High Speed Synchro and Exposure compensation functions are also available for advanced flash photography.
The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new APO TELE CONVERTER 1.4x EX DG and APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX DG for Sony mount. The new tele converters are capable of maintaining the HSM function of such telephoto lenses as Sigma’s APO 70-200mm F2.8 II EX DG MACRO HSM and APO 50-150mm F2.8 II EX DC HSM whilst increasing the focal length by a factor of 1.4x or 2x. Of course, the HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) AF compatibility depends on the capability of the Sony SLR camera to support this function and on the maximum F number of the attached lens. The Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting and the exclusive design maintains the master lens’ high level performance while extending its focal length. Compact and lightweight, these tele converters are a convenient way of increasing the focal length of HSM telephoto lenses.
* If non-HSM lenses are used, focusing can be achieved in manual mode only.
* AF function will not be supported when Sigma’s earlier non HSM Sony fitting tele converters are used.
Camera Labs has posted a review of the Sigma DP1.
The Sigma DP1 is certainly a unique camera and once again achieves the important goal of equipping a compact body with a DSLR-sized sensor. Use the camera in the right conditions and it really shines, delivering images with an astonishing degree of detail and sharpness across the entire frame.
Trusted Reviews has posted a full review of the Sigma DP1.
There are other cameras with similar handling, but the sensor size is sure to appeal to a certain type of photographer. Whilst it has certain charms, it’s by no means perfect and minor adjustments to the design of the camera would make it more usable, while Sigma also needs to look at the flash and fix those problems for any subsequent models.
Shutterbug has posted a review of the Sigma DP1.
There are many options that are akin to SLR-like cameras. The fixed focal length lens might seem limiting at first, but this is something you get used to, even enjoy using. But the LCD screen is problematic, and in bright daylight got in the way of making compositional decisions and even exposure settings.