Sigma to display digital SLR system

[Ross Clark]

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

 

[JoePhoto]

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association), back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show" it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet. (But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[Zoltan Csuka]

It was already a working model in February - one reviewer (seen the link on the pro forum) shot photos, used the menus etc... No samples though...

I think (HOPE) it will be released before the show and we wont get the same cover-up that we got from Contax: high noise at iso400 delays...

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

--
Best wishes,
Zoli

 

[Igor R.]

I think (HOPE) it will be released before the show and we wont get
the same cover-up that we got from Contax: high noise at iso400
delays...

Ye, Contax faced complete fiasco. Coolpix 5000 noise for $7,000 with Zeiss Lens thats cool!

 

[Terry Sessford]

It was already a working model in February - one reviewer (seen the
link on the pro forum) shot photos, used the menus etc... No
samples though...
I think (HOPE) it will be released before the show and we wont get
the same cover-up that we got from Contax: high noise at iso400
delays...

Whilst the ISO range of the Contax was reduced for the final production model, I understand that the complete opposite will be the case with the Sigma SD-9. Apparently the ISO range of the final production SD-9 will be greater (going towards higher ISOs) than the pre-production prototype shown at PMA.

Terry.

 

[Wes Siebe]

Sigma is obviously behind on their initial schedule. A sales person in the booth at PMA told me that they hoped to have a full size sensor in a camera to show by photokina. It is possible that they may skip the SD9 and get one leg up on the competition and just go to the full size chip. On the other hand that could just extend things indefinitely too.
Wes Siebe

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[Bob Williams]

Sigma is obviously still within their announced time schedule
of this summer.

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[Zoltan Csuka]

I didnt hear anything like that... I thought they will have iso400 and thats it. I might have missed that...

 

[Valliesto Bailey]

Sure a Sigma "sales person" would say such a thing. I am afraid that until there is a production model in users hands that the SD9 has to go in to the same box as Silicon Film.

And the fact that they are trying to hype users on a full frame version of the SD9 is sad, given that Sigma does not seem able to deliver a working camera today. I have heard this "Our next model will be great" speach too many times to put much weight in it.

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

--
Valliesto

 

[Bob Williams]

And you read about a full frame sensor where on the Sigma
site? What Sigma employee told you about such a beast, or
hyped you on it?

And the fact that they are trying to hype users on a full frame
version of the SD9 is sad, given that Sigma does not seem able to
deliver a working camera today. I have heard this "Our next model
will be great" speach too many times to put much weight in it.

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

--
Valliesto

 

[Valliesto Bailey]

According to Wes that is what he was told by a Sigma sales person. Personally I have no such knowledge, I haven't been to the Sigma site for at least 6 months, nor have I spoken with any Sigma reps. But that has no bearing on the validity of what Wes was told, or on the fact that companies will try to hook users with vaporware products.

The SD9 is looking like a Contax for 1/3 the price, a good idea, and one a lot of us wanted to see work, but a disaster in actual production. But hey I could be wrong, and that would be a good thing for all of us.

And the fact that they are trying to hype users on a full frame
version of the SD9 is sad, given that Sigma does not seem able to
deliver a working camera today. I have heard this "Our next model
will be great" speach too many times to put much weight in it.

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

--
Valliesto

--
Valliesto

 

[tim martin]

Sigma is obviously still within their announced time schedule
of this summer.

I agree 100%, and I will continue to agree at least until around the
end of September.

 

[tim martin]

Sure a Sigma "sales person" would say such a thing. I am afraid
that until there is a production model in users hands that the SD9
has to go in to the same box as Silicon Film.

There will be a "production model" soon, in my opinion. I
might be wrong.

And the fact that they are trying to hype users on a full frame
version of the SD9 is sad, given that Sigma does not seem able to
deliver a working camera today. I have heard this "Our next model
will be great" speach too many times to put much weight in it.

That Sigma is trying to "hype users" ... I am not so sure. Sometimes
it is amazing the way "false rumours" get going. One person says
he (or she) would like to see a full-frame Foveon camera, and
then a week later people are talking about the rumour that there
will be a full-frame Foveon camera from Sigma.

Although maybe I wrong about this, this time.

Either way, I have no plans to buy a camera from Sigma, probably
ever. Certainly not within the next 18 months.

But I am really looking forward to seeing a "production model"
Foveon camera from Sigma. But only to see and learn about,
not to buy.

A new technology like Foveon X3 needs to get started somewhere.
And so Sigma is what it will be, I guess.

 

[JoePhoto]

Although maybe I wrong about this, this time.

Either way, I have no plans to buy a camera from Sigma, probably
ever. Certainly not within the next 18 months.

But I am really looking forward to seeing a "production model"
Foveon camera from Sigma. But only to see and learn about,
not to buy.

A new technology like Foveon X3 needs to get started somewhere.
And so Sigma is what it will be, I guess.

Why so "insistent" about not even considering Sigma. If you already have a large investment in Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses then I understand; (I personally have Nikon so I intend to "wait" to see if they follow - assuming the technology appears solid).

BUT; for someone that has no existing lenses; I would not recomend anyone hesitate or "refuse" to buy Sigma; (assuming again that the technology is solid and the camera is "good").

There is nothing wrong with "Sigma" except they are relatively new in SLR bodies .... BUT; the reviews of their film cameras have been very good ... and they offer a FANTASTIC VALUE .... their prices are less than half with comparable Nikon, Canon, etc are.

Therefore I personally would like to see them be a big "success" to offer COMPETITION to Canon, Nikon, etc. If Sigma is able to offer a professional level camera at less cost than the "big" guys; then the big guys will eventually have to lower their prices and that is good for all of us.

Of course; if the quality is not as promissed, then all bets are off and the question then is if it is due to Sigma or the "technology" itself that does not work.

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[tim martin]

Why so "insistent" about not even considering Sigma. If you
already have a large investment in Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses then I
understand; (I personally have Nikon so I intend to "wait" to see
if they follow - assuming the technology appears solid).

Well, perhaps you are right, but before becoming interested
in digital photography I had never heard of Sigma, and then
when this Foveon X3 thing came around I saw some people really
attacking the Sigma name in "rec.photo.digital".

Some guy that runs a camera store was saying:

"the biggest headaches we had in the store was with Sigma
anythings.... more complaints, more PO'd customers, and lost
business"

But for myself, I have no experience with Sigma products, and
so I really shouldn't be "insistent" ... I am just kind of going
on what I have heard, which may not be 100% true.

 

[JoePhoto]

Why so "insistent" about not even considering Sigma. If you
already have a large investment in Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses then I
understand; (I personally have Nikon so I intend to "wait" to see
if they follow - assuming the technology appears solid).

Well, perhaps you are right, but before becoming interested
in digital photography I had never heard of Sigma, and then
when this Foveon X3 thing came around I saw some people really
attacking the Sigma name in "rec.photo.digital".

Some guy that runs a camera store was saying:

"the biggest headaches we had in the store was with Sigma
anythings.... more complaints, more PO'd customers, and lost
business"

But for myself, I have no experience with Sigma products, and
so I really shouldn't be "insistent" ... I am just kind of going
on what I have heard, which may not be 100% true.

Some years ago ... they did get a bad reputation for some bad lenses; (most of the complaints I heard were related to them being "less-rugged" mechanically. But; that "problem" could be corrected overnight, (or at least with the "next" design), with either better QA or better design. I mean "one" engineer can make a big difference.

I have heard very few recent complaints about the quality of their lenses ... and optically they appear to be excellent. Is Nikon or Canon better ??? ... Maybe yes .. but also maybe no ... there is no reason why Sigma, (or Tokina, Tamron, etc.) can't be equally as excellent. It just all depends on there selection of glass and commitment to QA.

At any rate ... since it will require a sensor pixel count of between 12 and 21.4 to even come close to the "max" abilities of most lenses. I suggest that even a "bad" lens will be better than the todays limits of sensors; (relatively speaking of course).

As far as the mechanics of their cameras ... I personally have not laid my hands on one .. so I can't personaly vouch for their handling and feel. But; I am impressed that their "specs" are equal to best at half the price. Most reviews I have seen had no negative comments about them.

Are their cameras as "rugged" as Nikon, Canons most rugged ... probably not ... but then again MOST of us will not be climbing to the top of Mt. Everest, walking the hot sands of the Sahara ... or climbing on top of Army Tanks traveling 45 mph.

Also considering that all of "todays" digital cameras will be obsolete three days after your check clears ... I would suggest that "longevity" is less important now anyway then it was 40 years ago when I bought my first SLR and occasionally still use it.

So I say get the best for the LEAST MONEY; that will DO THE JOB you need it to do.

And if Sigma offers a "competitive" value ... and the X3 sensor works as well as they promise ... then I don't hesitate to recommend it to everyone ... with the exception they want to wait to see if they can save their lens investment.

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[cuc]

Thank you very much. This information is veru useful for me

I just found a web source listed Sigma to display its digital SLR
camera system at Photokina on Sept 25-30. Let's hope that Sigma
finally has its own Feveon sensor SLR camera system and lenses
ready for the distribution. Here is the link:

http://www.ausstellerliste-koelnmesse.de/besuchsplanung/index.php?CLSID= {3d3f4ceb56231-178-50063}

It was already "displayed" at PMA (Photo Marketing Association),
back in February. So it can be fully expected that it will again
be at Photokina.

BUT; that still does not mean it is ready for "release". I
sincerely HOPE it is ... and even hope they will be released and
shipping before then. But, just because they say they will "show"
it there does not even mean it will be a "working" model yet.
(But, again ... I hope so)

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[tim martin]

So I say get the best for the LEAST MONEY; that will DO THE JOB
you need it to do.

And if Sigma offers a "competitive" value ... and the X3 sensor
works as well as they promise ... then I don't hesitate to
recommend it to everyone ... with the exception they want to wait
to see if they can save their lens investment.

Yes, I agree with this too.

But just be honest, I bought my first ever digital camera, a Canon
G2, last December, so it will be, I figure, at least another 18
months before I will be in the camera buying mood again.

But I agree with what you have written... maybe the Sigma SD-9
might turn out to be worth a look. At least by next spring, if the
ones that come out during the winter don't have any serious
problems.

Assuming it is out by the winter... which I would guess it most
certainly will be.

 

[Bob Williams]

One of the local shop owners claims to have found a bug in one
of their camera bodies. He said it was a consistant if you push xyz,
the problem happened. he said that the company rep refused
to admit to the bug, even when it was demo'ed to him, and that
the company gave him some static about returns because of it.
He told them to come get everything out of his store. He did not
say what model, or when, except that it was years ago. I suspect
that part of the industry bias is from a past poor public relations by
the company with their dealers. As of right now, you can not buy a
Sigma camera body in St. Louis, off the shelf, anywhere that I can
find. You can order them, but that is it. This will be a problem when
and if the SD9 finally appears.

Why so "insistent" about not even considering Sigma. If you
already have a large investment in Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses then I
understand; (I personally have Nikon so I intend to "wait" to see
if they follow - assuming the technology appears solid).

Well, perhaps you are right, but before becoming interested
in digital photography I had never heard of Sigma, and then
when this Foveon X3 thing came around I saw some people really
attacking the Sigma name in "rec.photo.digital".

Some guy that runs a camera store was saying:

"the biggest headaches we had in the store was with Sigma
anythings.... more complaints, more PO'd customers, and lost
business"

But for myself, I have no experience with Sigma products, and
so I really shouldn't be "insistent" ... I am just kind of going
on what I have heard, which may not be 100% true.

Some years ago ... they did get a bad reputation for some bad
lenses; (most of the complaints I heard were related to them being
"less-rugged" mechanically. But; that "problem" could be corrected
overnight, (or at least with the "next" design), with either better
QA or better design. I mean "one" engineer can make a big
difference.

I have heard very few recent complaints about the quality of their
lenses ... and optically they appear to be excellent. Is Nikon or
Canon better ??? ... Maybe yes .. but also maybe no ... there is no
reason why Sigma, (or Tokina, Tamron, etc.) can't be equally as
excellent. It just all depends on there selection of glass and
commitment to QA.

At any rate ... since it will require a sensor pixel count of
between 12 and 21.4 to even come close to the "max" abilities of
most lenses. I suggest that even a "bad" lens will be better than
the todays limits of sensors; (relatively speaking of course).

As far as the mechanics of their cameras ... I personally have not
laid my hands on one .. so I can't personaly vouch for their
handling and feel. But; I am impressed that their "specs" are
equal to best at half the price. Most reviews I have seen had no
negative comments about them.

Are their cameras as "rugged" as Nikon, Canons most rugged ...
probably not ... but then again MOST of us will not be climbing to
the top of Mt. Everest, walking the hot sands of the Sahara ... or
climbing on top of Army Tanks traveling 45 mph.

Also considering that all of "todays" digital cameras will be
obsolete three days after your check clears ... I would suggest
that "longevity" is less important now anyway then it was 40 years
ago when I bought my first SLR and occasionally still use it.

So I say get the best for the LEAST MONEY; that will DO THE JOB
you need it to do.

And if Sigma offers a "competitive" value ... and the X3 sensor
works as well as they promise ... then I don't hesitate to
recommend it to everyone ... with the exception they want to wait
to see if they can save their lens investment.

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )

 

[Louis Nell]

Why so "insistent" about not even considering Sigma. If you
already have a large investment in Canon, Nikon, etc. lenses then I
understand; (I personally have Nikon so I intend to "wait" to see
if they follow - assuming the technology appears solid).

Well, perhaps you are right, but before becoming interested
in digital photography I had never heard of Sigma, and then
when this Foveon X3 thing came around I saw some people really
attacking the Sigma name in "rec.photo.digital".

Some guy that runs a camera store was saying:

"the biggest headaches we had in the store was with Sigma
anythings.... more complaints, more PO'd customers, and lost
business"

But for myself, I have no experience with Sigma products, and
so I really shouldn't be "insistent" ... I am just kind of going
on what I have heard, which may not be 100% true.

Some years ago ... they did get a bad reputation for some bad
lenses; (most of the complaints I heard were related to them being
"less-rugged" mechanically. But; that "problem" could be corrected
overnight, (or at least with the "next" design), with either better
QA or better design. I mean "one" engineer can make a big
difference.

I have heard very few recent complaints about the quality of their
lenses ... and optically they appear to be excellent. Is Nikon or
Canon better ??? ... Maybe yes .. but also maybe no ... there is no
reason why Sigma, (or Tokina, Tamron, etc.) can't be equally as
excellent. It just all depends on there selection of glass and
commitment to QA.

At any rate ... since it will require a sensor pixel count of
between 12 and 21.4 to even come close to the "max" abilities of
most lenses. I suggest that even a "bad" lens will be better than
the todays limits of sensors; (relatively speaking of course).

Not true,

I have a sigma 28-70 F2.8 EX. You can clearly see how bad the quality is at F2.8, very soft, lots of CA (on a D100). It gets better towards F8 and indeed at that level it's just as sharp as my other Nikon stuff. What I've noticed about third party lenses is that they are pretty good at F8 and F11 but if you shoot them wide open the quality really sucks.

Louis

As far as the mechanics of their cameras ... I personally have not
laid my hands on one .. so I can't personaly vouch for their
handling and feel. But; I am impressed that their "specs" are
equal to best at half the price. Most reviews I have seen had no
negative comments about them.

Are their cameras as "rugged" as Nikon, Canons most rugged ...
probably not ... but then again MOST of us will not be climbing to
the top of Mt. Everest, walking the hot sands of the Sahara ... or
climbing on top of Army Tanks traveling 45 mph.

Also considering that all of "todays" digital cameras will be
obsolete three days after your check clears ... I would suggest
that "longevity" is less important now anyway then it was 40 years
ago when I bought my first SLR and occasionally still use it.

So I say get the best for the LEAST MONEY; that will DO THE JOB
you need it to do.

And if Sigma offers a "competitive" value ... and the X3 sensor
works as well as they promise ... then I don't hesitate to
recommend it to everyone ... with the exception they want to wait
to see if they can save their lens investment.

--
Thanks for reading .... JoePhoto

( Do You Ever STOP to THINK --- and FORGET to START Again ??? )