Interview with Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corporation

Kazuto Yamaki
The new Sigma 135mm f/1.8

DPReview managed to interview Kazuto Yamaki, CEO of Sigma Corporation, at CP+ in Japan.

We all are obviously curious to learn about the latest lenses Sigma announced, especially about the 14mm f/1.8, a lens that once more shows the skills of Sigma’s engineers.

Some excerpts from the interview:

You’ve told me previously that you really want Sigma to make more wideangle lenses. Do you think you’re achieving that goal with the 12-24mm and new 14mm?

Yes, but I’m still not satisfied. I think we need to make more wide-angle lenses. A fast 14mm was one of the lenses that our customers were asking for. Most existing 14mm lenses are F2.8, so F1.8 was a challenge.

What have you learned, from making the Art series?

We’ve learned that some customers require exceptional lens performance. We believe that our mission is to make products that other manufacturers don’t have. If we just released similarly-specified lenses to existing models, we wouldn’t be contributing to the industry, or benefiting customers. So our Art series is meant to provide the best performance. Read the interview at DPReview.

You can get notified when the new Sigma lenses are availabe for pre-order.

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 ART lens sample photos

Sigma 14mm
The new Sigma 14mm f/1.8

Sigma 14mm f/1.8 at a glance:

  • EF-Mount Lens/Full-Frame Format
  • Aperture Range: f/1.8 to f/16
  • Three FLD Elements, Four SLD Elements
  • Four Aspherical Elements
  • Super Multi-Layer Coating
  • Hyper Sonic AF Motor, Manual Override
  • Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
  • TSC Material, Brass Bayonet Mount
  • Compatible with Sigma USB Dock

DPReview posted a set of 38 sample photo shot with a pre-production Sigma 14mm f/1.8 Art lens. A Canon [shoplink 27766]EOS 5Ds R[/shoplink] was used for the test shots.

The new Sigma lenses are not yet available for the general public. However, you can get notified when pre-orders can be placed.

The next Canon DSLR is the Rebel SL2 (look on the specs) [CW4]

Rebel SL2
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Where is the Canon Rebel SL2?

It’s a while we didn’t hear any news about the replacement for the Canon [shoplink 11240]Rebel SL1[/shoplink] (which still is the world’s smallest DSLR). Unfortunately the rumor that came in is of the kind “there will be a SL2 in 2017”, and nothing more.

When will we see the Rebel SL2?

At least here we can give you some more intel. I know Canon will announce the Canon Rebel SL2 during Q2-Q3 2017, surely not before the new Canon [shoplink 43813]EOS 800D/Rebel T7i[/shoplink] and Canon [shoplink 43814]EOS 77D[/shoplink] have started shipping.

Will there be a new EF-S lens?

This is rumored since a while but didn’t get any confirmation nor hints so far. Canon announced a new kit lens along with the Canon Rebel T7i and Canon EOS 77D so we do not expect new standard zooms for Canon APS-C DSLRs. However, a new fast prime is always possible. We keep you posted.

What are the specifications of the Rebel SL2?

Nothing leaked so far but we can make some assumptions without risking to be wrong. The Rebel SL2 will almost for sure have a 24MP sensor, likely the same AF system of the Canon Rebel T7i, most likely WiFi will also be on board. Do not expect 4K, but solid HD video instead. I wouldn’t expect a frame rate higher than 4-5 fps. Since the DIGIC 7 made it on the Canon Rebel T7i I guess we can expect it on the Rebel SL2.

What specifications do you expect in the SL2? Sound off in the comment section.

Stay tuned…

Off Brand: Zeiss Batis 135mm lens to be announced next week (Sony mount)?

zeiss batis
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Hints suggest Zeiss may announce a new Batis lens next week. Zeiss Batis lenses are for Sony cameras.

That’s what Zeiss is teasing on their Instagram account, a new Zeiss Batis portrait telelens. Please note: there is no mention of 135mm but I think this it will be.

The Instagram teasers are below.

Here is a guy claiming he is shooting the new Zeiss Batis lens.

Zeiss Batis lenses on Amazon.

[via Sony Alpha Rumors]

Don McCullin about the consequence of truth (CPS interview)

don mccullin
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Canon Professional Network posted a short interview with living legend Don McCullin, world-renowned war photographer and pioneer in photojournalism.

Sir McCullin is now over 80 years old, and just recently was knighted by the Queen. It’s only since a few years that he embraced digital photography. Appearently, Canon managed to get Sir McCullin, well known for his critical position towards digital photography, to use and enjoy a [shoplink 2431]EOS 5D Mark III[/shoplink] (we reported here).

The interview is about McCullin’s work, a retrospective on his life and career, and features the presentation of McCullin’s latest book.

“I’m on the edge of the volcano. I’m standing on the precipice looking into the lava…” admits Don McCullin metaphorically, remarking on how he sees this latest chapter of an extraordinary life. A special three-volume retrospective of his work is due to be released soon. It’s taken two years to complete and, for McCullin, represents the very best of his photography. Called ‘Irreconcilable Truths’ the title is a nod to the soul-searching that went into the project as recollections of atrocities resurfaced in his darkroom as he reprinted many hundreds of images. It’s not been an easy journey, reliving some of those memories.

About the Canon EOS 5D Mark III Sir McCullin says:

“I just wished I had these Canons when I was a younger man,” [McCullin] reflects. “My life would have been far easier with a lot less stuff to carry.” He refers to the final section of his book and recent projects from India, Iraq and Syria that feature work taken digitally. “The sharpness cuts you like a knife,” he remarks. “It really is incredible, almost too real.”

Sir McCullin’s latest print work, Irreconcilable Truths, has a limited run of 1000 copies and consists of three books, presented in a hard clamshell case, comprise over 1300 pages of print and more than 700 of McCullin’s most iconic photographs and previously unpublished images.

Read the interview at CPS.