PMA 2010 - 21st February 8am PST

 Expanding the horizons of APS-C photographers everywhere, Sigma's new 8-16mm F5.6 is an interesting addition to the DC lens range. The compact new wide-angle zoom should be available soon.

 Read more for the official announcements.

PMA 2010 - 21st February 8am PST

 The DP1 - only recently updated to the DP1s -has now recieved the hardware upgrades to bring it into line with the DP2 model, unifying the physical design of the DP range. In addition the DP2 has received minor updates, markings on the buttons and AF performance upgrades to bring the DP2s.

Both cameras share the QS-button layout of the DP2, new markings and firmware improvements for faster AF. The DP1x gives the DP1 a TRUE-II image processor and higher ISO. The updates mean that not only are both cameras easier to use, DP users now merely have to choose between focal lengths and not differing performance. Release date has not been given, but as these are running improvements I'd expect the new models to be available soon.

 Read more for the official announcements.

PMA 2010 - 21st February 8am PST

 Sigma's latest entry into the 70-200mm lens marketplace is going to ruffle a few feathers potentially - bringing optical stabilisation to third-party choices, a quick glance at the spec suggests a very different optical arrangement, with minimum focus now at 1.4m and magification of 1:8. If you value close-up, this may be the time to snap up the HSM II - and at the same time, if you've been waiting for stabilisation, it's here now. Read more for the press release.

PMA 2010 - 21st February 8am PST

 Sigma has announced the launch specifications for the SD15; this update to the SD range has been eagerly awaited by Foveon enthusiasts and promises a significant jump in performance over the current SD14 model, with updates to nearly every aspect of the camera specifications. The sensor resolution remains the same, but benefits from progress made with the DP range in the image pipeline plus larger, higher resolution LCD, updated metering and a considerably larger buffer.  Read more to see the full, final specifications for the camera. On sale date is uncomfirmed, but based on previous releases I'd expect to see the SD15 available from April.

UK camera retailer and high-street presence since 1935, Jessops, is entering one of the final stages for the firm's restructuring - initiated in early 2009 following several difficult trading years including the loss of 81 stores and redundancies since floatation of the firm in 2004. Ashurst LLP will be hosting an Extraordinary General Meeting at 10am on the 21st January, where shareholders will vote for a course of action to wind down the company (voluntarily or otherwise).

Shares closed at 0.33p per share yesterday. Jessops high-street stores were sold in September 2009 to "Snap Equity Ltd" and these continue to trade; the new firm is privately held leaving shareholders in Jessops PLC owning a share in a nominal £100,000 following the write off of £34m HSBC debt (HSBC owns 47% of Snap Equity). Liquidation will be handled by KPMG LLP of Birmingham.

 As an aside, Sigma users may find good deals on stock in the stores at this time, depending on mount and lens model; less popular mounts would appear to be heavily discounted in some stores with heavy regional variation.