Sigma Advisory: Some Sigma lenses for Canon not fully compatible with EOS-1D X Mark II

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Sigma released a press release about compatibility issue of their 20mm F1.4 DG HSM “Art”, 35mm F1.4 DG HSM “Art” and 85mm F1.4 EX DG HSM lenses with the Canon EOS-1D X Mark II.

Press release:

Thank you for purchasing and using our products.

We have found that some SIGMA interchangeable lenses for CANON are not fully compatible with CANON EOS-1DX Mark II, which was released on April 28th. When certain lenses are attached to this camera, exposure of the image may not be accurate. We are sorry for the inconvenience, and we will make a further announcement on our website when specific details are finalised. In addition, please also refer to the below usage notice related to this announcement.

[Phenomenon]

When the lenses listed below are used and either “Evaluative Metering” or “Center-weighted Average Metering” is  selected in Metering Mode of the camera, the image could show some underexposure.

[Products concerned]

We are currently working on the firmware update for respective lenses, and the release dates will be announced later.

Usage Notice for customers who are using EOS mount SIGMA lenses on a CANON EOS-1DX Mark II
・ MO (Manual Override) function is unavailable with this camera (Full-time Manual function can be offered).
・ When using a SIGMA interchangeable lens for EOS, setting the corrections to [Disable] is recommended, as “Lens Correction” functions of the camera, such as Peripheral illumination correction, Chromatic aberration correction, Diffraction correction and Distortion correction, are not supported. If those functions are activated, the performance of lenses may not be accurate. This is not only for EOS-1DX Mark II, but also other camera bodies.

We appreciate your continued support for our company and products.

New firmware for Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM makes Auto-Focus up to 50% faster

Canon 200-600mm
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Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM (B&H Photo, Adorama, Amazon USA, Amazon Canada, Canon Canada, Canon USA) at a glance:

  • Canon EF Lens/Full Frame
  • Aperture Range: f/5-6.3 to 22
  • Two FLD and Three SLD Elements
  • Hyper Sonic Motor AF System
  • Optical Stabilizer with Accelerometer
  • Zoom Lock & Manual Override Switches
  • Minimum Focus Distance: 102.4″
  • Splash and Dust Proof Mount
  • Lens Hood & Rotatable Tripod Collar
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

Sigma released a new firmware for their Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lens (both Sports and Contemporary versions). Sigma claims the new firmware makes AF on the Sigma 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM up to 50% faster. The firmware can be downloaded here.

Sigma press release (via DPReview):

SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports / Contemporary
Firmware update for Canon and Nikon mount

We would like to announce the availability of a new firmware update for the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Sports in Canon and Nikon mount, and the SIGMA 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM | Contemporary in Canon and Nikon mount. This firmware update can be installed using SIGMA Optimization Pro, the dedicated software for the SIGMA USB DOCK.

Benefit of this firmware update
The latest firmware update improves the AF algorithm of 150-600mm F5-6.3 DG OS HSM lenses and further enhances AF speed by optimizing HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) drive control. Depending on shooting conditions, it is expected to increase autofocus speed by approximately 20%, to a maximum of 50%, during normal shooting as well as when using “Speed Priority” set through SIGMA Optimization Pro.

For customers who own the SIGMA USB DOCK and applicable products listed below, please update the firmware using SIGMA Optimization Pro. Please ensure SIGMA Optimization Pro is updated to Version 1.2 before updating the lens firmware.

For customers who do not own a SIGMA USB DOCK, please contact Sigma Imaging (UK) Ltd for details about updating the firmware free of charge.

SIGMA Optimization Pro Download page
http://www.sigma-global.com/download/en

We appreciate your continued support for our company and products.

Off brand: Sigma announce mirrorless cameras with 39MP and 51MP sensors

Bildschirmfoto 2016-02-23 um 08.14.23

Sigma announced the SD Quattro mirrorless system cameras with Foveon sensor and SA mount. Both cams are resolution champions: the Sigma Quattro SD has a 39MP sensor, the Sigma SD Quattro H a 51MP sensor. No info about price and shipping so far.

The Sigma Quattro SD:

  • Two mode Autofocus system
  • Mirrorless system, Dust & Splash magnesium alloy body
  • Resolution equal to 39MP Bayer sensor on resolution testing
  • Compact design similar to dp Quattro cameras
  • SA mount

The Sigma SD Quattro H:

  • Larger APS-H sensor
  • Resolution equal to 51MP Bayer sensor on resolution testing
  • Designed to take advantage of SGV lenses with great IQ
  • SA mount

Press text and images after the break (via Mirrorless Rumors).

Click here to open the rest of the article

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art lens officially announced

50-100mm is first constant aperture f/1.8 telephoto zoom; 30mm represents first affordable F1.4 high-performance lens for mirrorless cameras

KANAGAWA, JAPAN — February 23, 2016 – Sigma Corporation of America, a leading DSLR lens, camera, flash and accessories manufacturer, today announced the addition of two high-performance APS-C format lenses to the Sigma Global Vision product line: Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens and the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens.

“Sigma’s aim is to provide high-performance lens options that lead with innovation and break new boundaries for every photographic scenario our customers can dream up,” states Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. “These new lenses build on Global Vision’s great IQ technology and reflect this goal, delivering immense value, quality and performance that the Sigma brand is known for.”

Sigma 50-100mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art
Building on the groundbreaking Sigma Global Vision 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art Lens, the new Sigma 50-100 f/1.8 (75-150mm on 35mm format) mid-range zoom lens embodies the same engineering prowess to deliver outstanding prime lens-like results. Factoring in the APS-C image circle of 1.5x, the 50-100mm F1.8 covers three popular short tele prime focal lengths: 85mm, 105mm and 135mm. Like the 18-35mm f/1.8, the new 50-100mm f/1.8 maintains a constant f/1.8 aperture yielding exceptional brightness and resolution throughout the zoom, while simultaneously maintaining focus as the lens is zoomed, a feature videographers will greatly appreciate.

Sigma Art Line Image Technology Innovation

  • Features three FLD (F Low Dispersion) glass elements, one SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass element, and one high-refractive index, high-dispersion glass element to minimize aberrations.
  • Redesigned and enhanced, the new Hyper Sonic Motor is 30% slimmer and provides fast and accurate AF.
  • Highly durable polycarbonate diaphragm made with fluorine; blades feature carbon feather film offering exceptionally smooth operation even during continuous shooting.

Outstanding Zoom Lens Maneuverability

  • Inner focusing and zoom design offer versatile shooting options
  • Tripod socket for stable, comfortable operation
  • Features 21 elements / 15 groups, Minimum Aperture: F16, 82mm filter thread, Minimum Focus Distance: 37.4in, Dimensions: 3.7×6.7, Weight: 52.6oz

Interview with Sigma CEO Kazuto Yamaki

mobile01 posted a video (in English) with an interesting interview with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma. Our friends at Mirrorless Rumors not only spotted the interview but they did also a great work to sum it up for us.

1) Company philosphy:
“We’re still a private company, not a listed company. Epically we are still family owned. So we don’t need to maximized turnover, sells and profits. Public company have to do that to keep their stock price high. But in our case, our goal is just to continue the business and protect the employees. And that is very important. So we gave up to grow rapidly. We decided to stay in Japan, and to explore what can be done here. And that’s one reason why we change our main business form volume zone to mid-high end product.”

2) The best selling lenses (in volume) are:
1. 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC MACRO OS
2. 17-50mm f/2.8 EX DC OS HSM
3. 70-300mm f/4-5.6 DG MACRO

3) The lenses creating more “value” (I guess he means earnings) are:
1. Contemporary/Sports 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG OS HSM
2.  35mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART
3.  50mm f/1.4 DG HSM ART

4) DP camera sales:
“dp0 sells more than our expectation. So I’m happy! dp2 is the highest by far. Over 50% than other three models. ”

5) In a recent Mobile01 poll the users biggest wish was for Sigma to make FE lenses:
He recognizes that he gets the same request from other countries (Editor’s note: Mobile01 is located in Taiwan). And he adds later that “Everything is possible” (when asked if he would make Sony FE lenses)

6) About Sony and Foveon:
“To us, it is very clear that Sony will be the major player in the photo industry. Because they have sensor technology. In order to differentiate the products. the sensor and lens are the most important. Other things can be shared by other companies. I think in the photo industry who has a good technology of making good sensor and lens could survive. That is why we acquired the Foveon company and try to retain the technology to us. ”

7) About Taiwan market:
“Taiwan’s market respond to new products very quickly. Way faster than USA, China, even Japan. Taiwan is one have quickest response country in the world. Once we release a new product, Taiwanese will jump into new product or technology. And also they care about the quality very much, even more than price. I think it’s a very sophisticated market. ”

8) Why not make a medium format Foveon camera?
“One of my dream is to make our camera to produce such high quality image. Medium format is my personal interest. But so far we have not work on it. First of all, In order to make a medium format camera, we need to re-develop a whole series from the beginning. We have to develop the sensor, camera body, lens…etc. It’s a very long procedure. And unfortunately, the market size of the medium format look quite small, even for Sigma. So that’s why we did not enter the market.“

[via mobile01 via Mirrorless Rumors]

Sigma unveils heat-treated ceramic glass lens protector filters

Sigma ceramic protector
Sigma’s new Water Repellent Ceramic Protector

Sigma unveiled WR (Water Repellant) Ceramic Protector filters. These protective lens filters are claimed by Sigma to be “world’s first highly shock-resistant and scratch-resistant clear glass ceramic protective filter”. The core specs are:

  • 10x the strength of a conventional protective filter and 3x the strength of a chemically hardened glass filter
  • Optically clear ceramic glass offers extremely high transmittance
  • Water-repellent (WR) coating reflects only 0.24 percent of visible light, thereby minimizing flare and ghosting

Sigma ceramic protector

Sigma states that their WR Ceramic Protector filters allow for 99.76% light transmission. 67mm, 72mm, 77mm, 82mm, 86mm, 95mm and 105mm sizes will be available. Pricing and availability are not known for the time being.

The video below gives an overview about Sigma’s WR Cermaic Protector filters.

[via DIY Photography]