x3 FFF- one other problem ...

Jozef M wrote:

Mr Giggles wrote:

You cannot compare the progress made in Bayer sensors to Foveon sensors.

Jozef.

That's the problem - Foveon is now up against not only bigger - cheaper and better bayer cameras - its up against much better RAW processors and artificial intelligence

its a scary situation for Sigma

It isn't

Sigma is a lens maker, cameras are just a side project from the Sigma ceo Yamaki, and he has always lost money on his camera projects, that is the way I see it.

It is much better for Sigma's financial situation if they leave the camera business for what it is, and concentrate solely on lens manufacturing. My opinion.

Jozef.

I understand that is your opinion Jozef, but I do not agree with your opinion. Obviously neither does Mr. Yamaki. I don't see why you think Sigma should give up on cameras, considering their relative success in the camera market. We have just seen that Sigma seems to have sold out their SD Quattro H supply, and no doubt they will sell out their SD Quattro supply before long too. They sold out their supplies of various other Sigma cameras in the past, no doubt. (I seriously doubt they threw out or destroyed their old stock.) Sigma sits in a strong position in the camera market, with the luxury of being able to experiment with not only sensor design, but ergonomics, electronics, software, etc. That is a wonderful thing, and I think it will result in some amazing cameras. In fact, I think it already has resulted in some amazing cameras, like the SD Quattro H, the SD1 Merrill, and the SD 15 and SD 14 before that. No doubt there is a Sigma fan who sould say that one is amazing to the mention of every one of Sigma's cameras, and they can give you reasons why that particular one is their favorite.

As you know, Sigma has had at least some limited success with their latest camera, the fp. Who's to say that the next generation or generation three of that camera won't produce a profit for Sigma? Who's to say Sigma won't be profitable on all of their cameras in the year 2025 or 2030? Should Leica stop making cameras, and just concentrate on lenses? I mean it's the lenses that really make Leicas what they are, right? Maybe Leica could sell more lenses if they just made premium lenses in Sony E mount, Nikon Z mount, and Canon R mount. But now they have the L mount, and two camera companies OTHER than Leica make cameras with that mount too.

I think Leica was smart to participate in the creation of the L Mount Alliance. I think Sigma was too, and I think that making cameras is part of that. I believe that Sigma's upcoming camera with the full-frame Foveon sensor will help to make the L Moun Alliance something more unique and special in the photography world, and I think that ultimately the L Mount Alliance will be one of the biggest players in the world of photography, in no small part due to Sigma's participation in that alliance. Sure, without Leica it would not be what it will be, and without Panasonic it would be a much smaller and less significant alliance, but I think Sigma's contribution will be not only very meaningful, but special too.

I don't think we should underestimate the significance of Sigma's camera division. I think it has a great importance to Sigma's development of lenses, their pride as a company, and the variety of equipment available in the world of photography in general.