Press release:

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.

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Tags: Foveon, Sigma

Sigma announces DP2 - compact camera with 14 megapixel FOVEON X3 image sensor (2,652 × 1,768 × 3 layers), 24.2-mm F2.8 lens equivalent to 41-mm on a 35-mm SLR, improved True II image processor.

Press release:

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Tags: DP2, Foveon, Sigma

Sigma announces two new fisheye lenses for Sony and Pentax - 4.5mm F2.8 EX DC CIRCULAR FISHEYE HSM and 10mm F2.8 EX DC FISHEYE HSM.

Press release:

4.5mm F2.8 EX DC CIRCULAR FISHEYE HSM For Sony and Pentax
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 provide superior image quality. HSM ensures fast and quiet auto focusing and includes full-time manual focus

10mm F2.8 EX DC FISHEYE HSM For Sony and Pentax
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.

Tags: 10mm, 4.5mm, F2.8, fisheye, HSM, lense, Pentax, Sigma, Sony

Sigma announces 50mm F1.4 EX DG HSM for the Four Thirds System.

Press release:

This large aperture lens becomes a medium telephoto lens offering 100mm equivalent angle of view on Four Thirds cameras. The optimum optical design and molded glass aspherical lens elements provide excellent correction of coma aberration. It ensures superior peripheral brightness and provides sharp, high contrast images even at the maximum aperture. The Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. Superior optical performance is ensured throughout the focusing range. The rounded 9 blades diaphragm creates an attractive blur. This lens incorporates HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor), ensuring a quiet and high speed AF as well as full time manual focusing capability.

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Tags: 4/3, 50mm, DG, EX, f/1.4, Four Thirds, HSM, Sigma

Sigma announces 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM - 14 elements in 12 groups with HSM.

Press release:

The Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new 24-70mm F2.8 EX DG HSM. This large aperture standard zoom lens covers focal lengths from 24mm and is housed in compact construction.

The latest optical design provides an overall length of 94.7cm /3.7inch. It is ideal for general photography such as snapshots, portraiture and landscapes. The Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting. ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass, two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and three aspherical lenses provide excellent correction of all types of aberrations.

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Tags: 24-70, DG, EX, F2.8, HSM, Sigma

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.

New dedicated tele converter for Sony mount telephoto lenses that support HSM

APO TELE CONVERTER 1.4x EX DG for Sony
APO TELE CONVERTER 2x EX DG for Sony

• Dedicated tele converter for telephoto lenses incorporating HSM
• Exclusive design maintains the master lens’ high level performance
• Super Multi Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting

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Tags: HSM, Sigma, Sony, Teleconverter

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the new ELECTRONIC FLASH MACRO EM-140 DG for Sony and Pentax cameras

• Ideal for Close-up photography, especially medical and scientific applications
• Fully dedicated with the latest TTL auto exposure systems
• Flash tubes can be switched on or off for creative flash control
• Wireless Flash Control
• High Speed Synchro Flash

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Tags: EM-140 DG, flash, Macro, Pentax, Sigma, Sony

Sigma announces SD15 DSLR - 14Mp Foveon X3 sensor, True II processor, 3.0” LCD.

Press release:

Sigma announce the development of the SD15, a 14 megapixel (2,652×1,768×3 layers) Digital SLR camera.

September, 2008: The Sigma Corporation (COO: Kazuto Yamaki) is pleased to announce the new SIGMA SD15 digital SLR camera. This camera is the latest model in Sigma’s digital SLR camera SD series, powered by the 14 megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image-sensor it can capture all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location arranged in three layers.

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Tags: Foveon, SD15, Sigma