Sigma has dropped the price of its 14-megapixel digital SLR based on the Foveon X3 sensor. Powered by the 14-megapixel Foveon X3 direct-image sensor, can reproduce high definition images rich in gradation and impressive three-dimensional detail. The SD14 digital SLR camera features four JPEG recording modes, a large and bright pentaprism viewfinder with 98% coverage, a built-in flash with a Guide Number of 11, 5-point AF system, a large 2.5-inch, 150,000-pixel resolution LCD monitor, as well as a new user-friendly design. The durable shutter mechanism has over 100,000-cycle life and is ideal for the demands of digital photography.

The Sigma SD14 is now available for about $1200, which is $400 less than its original price. Sigma’s marketing manager, Tom Sobey, said that the reason for the drop was probably just an effort to improve sales, noting that the SD14 joins several other midrange digital SLRs that have recently dropped in price to remain competitive in the current market, including Canon’s 30D and 5D.

In fact, the pricing at Amazon.com is currently listed at $1153.60 (Body only).
Website :  Sigma SD14 $400 Price Drop

Sigma Corporation is pleased to announce the launch of the new ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-530 DG ST. The EF-530 DG ST features a powerful Guide Number of 53 and is designed to work with the latest TTL auto exposure systems of all popular manufacturers’ digital and film SLR cameras.

It features TTL automatic flash exposure control for easy operation. The autozoom function automatically sets the optimum illumination angle in accordance with the lens’ focal length in a range from 24mm to 105mm. When the built-in Wide Panel is used, the flash can cover the angle of view for a 17mm lens.

For bounce flash, the flashgun head can be tilted up by 90 degrees, to the left by 180 degrees, or to the right by 90 degrees. It can also be tilted down by 7 degrees allowing ease of use for close-up photography. In addition to automatic mode, the flashgun also features a manual flash mode, making it possible to set the flash power level to full or 1/16. When the flashgun is fully charged, a confirmation ‘ready’ light will be illuminated and the flash exposure level can be checked through the cameras viewfinder. Other features incorporated into this flashgun include the Auto Power-Off function to help save battery power.

Website :  Sigma Announces Electronic Flash EF-530 DG ST

Sigma has released a new firmware update to its recently released 14 MP SD14 DSLR with the unique Foveon X3 sensor. This firmware update, v1.04, corrects several issues with the camera’s operation. The improvements to previous firmware versions are included in this most recent update as well. Here are the updates:

1. Corrects the phenomenon of the intermittent camera freeze with Err message in the top LCD panel under certain conditions.
2. Corrects the problems related with video output display and functionality.
3. Corrects the display problem for the number of remaining shots on the CF card.
4. In the case of Mac OS 10.4.9 with Intel core processor, the SD14 was not recognized as a Removable Disk. Now the SD14 is mounted to the desktop as Removable Disk icon.

We generally recommend installing the latest firmware updates for your camera, to get the most out of your gear. For more information on firmware updates for a specific camera, visit the manufacturer’s Web site. Before installing any firmware upgrade, always take the time to read through all of the documentation, and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully.

Website :  Sigma SD14 v1.04 Firmware Upgrade Available

The DSLR market continues to expand as new companies enter the ring and the established vendors release new models. But changes are coming more slowly now. Resolution isn’t nearly the crucial issue it has been. The emphasis now is on speed and quality. Ron Eggers done a quick write up of the latest High-end DSLR available in the market today and here are the DSLRs in the roundup:
“Maximum resolution for DSLRs has hit a plateau, crowned by the 16-megapixel Canon EOS-1Ds Mark II. The rumored 22-megapixel Canon DSLR remains a rumor; instead, Canon released the EOS-1D Mark III, with a 10.1-megapixel sensor, Integrated Cleaning System, 100 percent viewfinder, 45-point AF and support for Live View technology. 

At one point, Olympus was about the only company making DSLRs with live view, giving photographers the option to compose images on the LCD rather than in the viewfinder. Now Canon and Fujifilm also make live-view DSLRs.

Prices on all digital SLRs are dropping, with some entry-level DSLRs selling for as little as $500. The new Canon Mark III comes with a price tag of $4,495.”

Website : Roundup: High-end Digital SLRs 

PopPhoto reviewed the Sigma SD14, one that equipped with a second-generation Foveon X3 sensor, which has a 1.7X lens factor, boasts 14.1 megapixels, and is promoted as a color-accurate, detail-obsessed, low-noise alternative to the CMOS and CCD sensors used in other DSLRs. Here’s the conclusion from the article: “Our image quality tests came down in favor of RAW files over JPEGs. In JPEG mode at ISO 100, the SD14 captures detail on par with an 8MP DSLR such as the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XT. Combined with an Extremely High color accuracy (9.9 Delta E), JPEGs earn an Extremely High image quality rating.

But in RAW, also at ISO 100, the SD14 performs more like a good 10MP DSLR, capturing about 10 percent higher resolution and Excellent color, earning it an Excellent image quality rating. Still, NEF RAW files from the $920 (street) 10.2MP Nikon D80 show higher detail. So this is not what you’d expect from a camera billed as having 14.1 megapixels.

…Apparently, the SD14’s internal image processor has a hard time converting high-ISO RAW data into JPEG form, while the supplied computer software handles the job more efficiently. The image processor also takes a glacial 8 to 10 sec to clear the buffer for another shot after a burst sequence of up to a mere six frames at 3 fps. That’s not even in the same ballpark as the burst rate and capacity of competitive DSLRs.

In all, the camera handles well, opens creative doors with IR, and is technologically unique. But the promise of 14.1MP doesn’t pay off. And given what you can find in today’s DSLR market for $1,600, we see the virtue in shopping around.”

Website :  Sigma SD14 Review by PopPhoto

For photographers using long-heavy tele-zoom and telephoto lenses such as the Canon EF 70-200mm f/2.8L USM lens, gravity is a problem. The lens puts stress on the lensmount and camera body as it pulls the camera in a downward direction–unless it is supported. Typically, this has meant photographers simply would hold the lens by its to take stress off of the camera body (if they remembered). Dowell Enterprises has come up with a clever solution: the Lens Cradle.

The Lens Cradle is designed to fit any lens with a tripod mount. It supports the camera and lens horizontally by utilizing the tripod mounting ring on the lens. Thereby, substantially reducing if not eliminating, the damage and stress that occurs to the camera body at the lens mounting junction. The Lens Cradle gives horizontal balance and stability that a camera strap alone does not provide. You no longer need to support the weight of a large lens with your hands. The natural horizontal position keeps the camera poised to be ready for the next elusive shot and prevents lens creep on push pull lenses. It is selling for $25.

Website :  LensCradle Support for long DSLR lenses

Paul Monckton from PersonalComputerWorld reviewed the Sigma SD14 DSLR camera. Here’s the conclusion: “One area where the SD14 trounces its predecessor is in image noise. Push an SD10 up to the higher settings and images very virtually unusable. The SD14, however, fares rather better, producing very serviceable pictures right up to ISO 800. A semi-hidden extended mode lets you shoot at ISO 1600, where there’s certainly a fair amount of noise, but images are still useable after some image processing.

So while the SD14 isn’t for everyone, its sensor technology, good build quality and ease of use make it an exciting creative tool for keen enthusiasts and those who want full control and a film-like response.

Most importantly, the image quality from the SD14 at its best is simply superb. It’s right up there with the best you can get from digital SLRs today and capable of producing stunning, professional results, albeit without some of the advanced features found on top of the range professional cameras.”

Pros: Superb professional-level image quality; 14-megapixel sensor; big improvement on SD10
Cons: No image stabilisation; basic features; some software issues
Overall: A vast improvement over the SD10, the SD14 delivers stunning image quality but is not for everyone

Website : Sigma SD14 Review by PersonalComputerWorld

Sigma today announced its first firmware update for the SD14 DSLR, version 1.01. The update is said to offer three improvements:

1. Sensor cleaning can be done by powering the camera from the battery
2. Improved speed setting and slow-sync mode for “A” mode flash photography
3. Improved image quality when reviewing images on the camera’s LCD monitor

In addition, the update fixes overexposure when using flash, incompatibility with FAT16 CF cards, occasional camera freeze, LCD flicker, and wireless flash problems. A bug in the menu which didn’t save the AdobeRGB setting when changed from sRGB has also been fixed, as well as improvemnts in the Korean-language menu.

The Sigma SD-14 is a 14MP DSLR with a Foveon X3 sensor and is claimed to provide unusually good color reproduction due to the unique construction of the sensor.

Website : Firmware Update for Sigma SD14