2010

Friday 24 December 2010

Sigma's Christmas gift for SD15 users! PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Friday, 24 December 2010 11:58

With exceptional timing, Sigma has made a perfect gift for SD15 owners! Or, well, it's a new firmware at least - which improves the Quick Set function (providing 2 pages, as with the DP2) and LCD preview image quality, and provides more control over sounds - allowing cancellation of the self timer and lock up function beeps.

It can be downloaded here: 

http://www.sigma-sd.com/SD15/firmware.html

Remember to fully charge the battery and follow the instructions to ensure a successful update.

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Thursday 23 December 2010

Sigma and the Sensor (R)evolution... (Part 3) PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Thursday, 23 December 2010 00:00

Our series of articles on where Sigma's Foveon architecture lies in the wider marketplace, and where the camera bodies really sit, continues - as the surprisingly long lifespan of technology is revealed and the skill of marketing and product designers perpetuates the idea that we can expect improvements on par with Moore's law in all fields of microelectronics. Pentax users may not be delighted to hear that when they pick up their shiny new K-r they're holding essentially six-year old sensor tech, but it's no bad thing if you care about images, rather than specifications.

 

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Tuesday 21 December 2010

What is FLD glass PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Tuesday, 21 December 2010 00:00

I’ve recently seen a reference to FLD glass being used in Sigma lenses, is this different from ELD and SLD glass?
FLD ("F" Low Dispersion) glass is the highest level low dispersion glass available with extremely high light transmission. This glass has a performance equal to flourite glass which has a low refractive index and low dispersion compared to current optical glass. FLD glass offers superior optical performance, equal to flourite, at an affordable price.

ELD (Extraordinary Low Dispersion) glass has lower dispersion characteristics than SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass, which Sigma has been using in its APO lenses (and some non-APO lenses as well) for many years now. It has other advantageous properties as well.

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Monday 20 December 2010

120-400mm F4.5-6.3 DG OS HSM PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Monday, 20 December 2010 00:00

120-400mm F4.5-5.6 DG OS HSMSigma's 120-400 is one of their earlier large stabilised zooms - sibling of the 150-500, and a bit of a bargain for full-frame users coming in around £650 (I've seen it for less, but the usual warning about grey importers applies). With ever-increasing usable ISO ranges, the relatively slow glass isn't the drawback it might first appear and contributes to a compact, manageable design that's ideal for hand-held use even at 400mm.

 

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Monday 13 December 2010

How should I use the Macro Switch of 28-80/3.5-5.6 Mini Zoom Macro, 70-300/4-5.6 and Apo Macro Super and 70-300/4-5.6 DL Macro Super? PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Monday, 13 December 2010 15:40

First, set the zoom control to its maximum telephoto position. Then, slide the Macro Switch to the "Macro" position. Now the focus ring can turn from infinity to macro range. (The macro switch cannot be changed to the "Macro" position if the zoom ring is set to other than the maximum telephoto setting.)F While the Macro Switch is set to the "Macro" position, the zoom ring is locked in the maximum telephoto setting and zooming is not possible. To avoid damage to the lens, please do not force the zoom ring to turn. To return the normal mode, please then turn the focusing ring out of the macro range. Then slide the Macro Switch to the "Normal" position. If the focus ring is in the macro range, the switch will not move.

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Is the Sigma EF-610 only for the SD1? PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Monday, 13 December 2010 15:33

Although launched alongside the SD1, the EF-610 will work on a variety of cameras depending on mount. Versions are available for Canon, Nikon and Sigma currently, and the Sigma version should work on all existing Sigma AF cameras.

 

COMPATIBILITY TABLE
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER

SA-STTL Sigma
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER
It is possible to use TTL Auto, Manual Flash, Autozoom Head, AF Auxiliary Lamp, Red-eye Reduction function, High-speed synchro (FP) ( except SA-300), Wireless Flash (except SD9), Designated Slave Flash, Normal Slave Flash, Rear-curtain Synchro Flash, Exposure Compensation Function, Multi Flash, and Modeling Flash functions. Manual switching of the amount of light is from 1/1 to 1/128. Auto Power-Off function shuts off 300sec. after use.

TTL Auto Autozoom
Head
AF Auxiliary
Lamp
Red-Eye
Reduction
Function
High-Speed
Synchro
Wireless
Flash
Designated
Slave Flash *2

Normal
Slave
Flash

Rear-Curtain
Synchro
Exposure
Compensation
Function
SD9 STTL OK OK OK OK × OK OK*3 OK*3 OK
SD10 STTL OK OK OK OK OK*1 OK OK*3 OK*3 OK
SD14 STTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK*3 OK
SD15 STTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK*3 OK

*1: It can be used with SD10 when two DG SUPER units are used.
*2: It can be used as a master unit only.
*3: If "Fully Automatic Mode" is selected, it cannot be used with SA-300, SA-300N, SA-5 cameras.
*4: Please switch flash mode of Master flashgun unit to Manual.

EO-ETTL II Canon
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER

Operation of TTL Auto system varies by Camera Model (If E-TTL II, E-TTL and TTL Automatic Exposure can be
used then A-TTL Automatic exposure is not possible). Manual Flash, Autozoom Head, AF Auxiliary Lamp, High-speed synchro (FP), Wireless Flash, Rear-curtain Synchro Flash, Exposure Compensation Function, and Multi Flash functions can be used with almost all camera models. For details please refer to compatibility table. Designated Slave Flash, and Normal Slave Flash can be used with all camera models. Manual switching of the amount of light is from 1/1 to 1/128. Auto Power-Off function shuts off 90sec. after use.

TTL Auto Autozoom
Head
Manual
Flash
AF Auxiliary
Lamp
High-Speed
Synchro
Wireless
Flash *4

Designated
Slave
Flash *1

Normal
Slave
Flash
Rear-Curtain
Synchro
Exposure
Compensation
Function
EOS-1D E-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1D Mark II E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1D Mark II N E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1D Mark III E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1D Mark IV E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1Ds E-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1Ds Mark II E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS-1Ds Mark III E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS 5D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS 7D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS 5D Mark II E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK OK
EOS 10D E-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS 20D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS 30D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS 40D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS 50D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS 60D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS D30 E-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS D60 E-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss Digital, EOS Digital REBEL, EOS 300D Digital E-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss Digital N, EOS Digital REBEL XT, EOS 350D Digital E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss Digital X, EOS Digital REBEL XTi, EOS 400D Digital E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss X2,EOS REBEL XSi, EOS 450D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss X3, EOS REBEL T1i, EOS 500D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss F, EOS REBEL XS, EOS 1000D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK
EOS Kiss X4, EOS REBEL T2i, EOS 550D E-TTL II OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK OK

*1: It can be used as a m aster unit only.
*2: Please set your Master Flash unit to TTL autoflash (E-TTL, E-TTL II autoflash cannot be used) or Manual flash mode.
*3: Built-in flash cannot be used. Please set your Master Flash unit to TTL autoflash (E-TTL, E-TTL II autoflash cannot be used) or Manual flash mode.
*4: Built-in flash cannot be used for wireless flash. It can only be set if two or more DG SUPER units are used.

NA-iTTL Nikon
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER

It is compatible with new i-TTL system. Availability of TTL Auto depends on the lens, but this system can be used with all Nikon camera models. It is possible to use Manual Flash as well as distance-priority manual flash, which is peculiar to Nikon (except D1X and D1H cameras).Wireless Flash function can be used with F6, D90, D80, D70, D70s, D60, D50, D40, D40x, D200, D300, D2 Series, D3 and D3X cameras. Red-eye reduction control, Rear-Curtain Synchro and Exposure Compensation functions are also available (except some camera models). Manual switching of the amount of light is from 1/1 to 1/64. Auto-Power Off function shuts off the power if the flashgun is not used for 80seconds.

TTL Exposure System *1 Autozoom
Head
Distance
Priority
Manual
Flash
AF Auxiliary
Lamp*2
Red-Eye
Reduction
Function
Wireless
Flash
Designated
Slave
Flash *3
Normal
Slave
Flash
Rear-Curtain
Synchro
Exposure
Compensation
Function
D1 3-D Multi-Sensor BL, Center Weighted Fill Flash/ Spot Fill-Flash OK OK OK OK × OK OK*4 OK OK
D1H 3-D Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Center Weighted Fill Flash/ Spot Fill-Flash OK × OK OK × OK OK*4 OK OK
D1X 3-D Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Center Weighted Fill Flash/ Spot Fill-Flash for Digital SLRs. OK × OK OK × OK OK*4 OK OK
D2X iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*4 OK OK
D2Xs iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*4 OK OK
D2H iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*4 OK OK
D2Hs iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*4 OK OK
D3 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK
D3x iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK
D3s iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK
D100 3-D Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Standard D-TTL flash OK OK OK OK × OK OK*5 OK OK
D200 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D300 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D300s iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D700 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D3100 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D5000 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D7000 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D90 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D80 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D70 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D70s iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK
D60 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*5 OK OK
D50 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*5 OK OK
D40 iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*5 OK OK
D40x iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK*6 OK OK*5 OK OK
FinePix S1 Pro Matrix BL × OK OK × × OK OK × ×
FinePix S2 Pro 3-D Multi-Sensor BL, Multi-Sensor BL × OK OK OK × OK OK OK OK
FinePix S3 Pro 3-D Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, Multi-Sensor BL for Digital SLRs, D-TTL flash OK OK OK OK × OK OK*5 OK OK
FinePix S5 Pro iTTL Multi-Sensor BL, Standard i-TTL flash OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*5 OK OK

*1: Flash Exposure function changes by the lens, and metering mode. For details, please refer to instruction manual of your camera.
*2: It can be used, if center focus is selected.
*3: Two or DG SUPER units can be used and DG SUPER must be used as a master unit only.
*4: Please use Manual flash mode of your Master unit.
*5: Built-in flash cannot be used. Please set your Master Flash unit to Manual flash mode.
*6: It is possible to use with two or more DG SUPER flash units.

SO-ADI SONY
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER

It is possible to use TTL Auto, Manual Flash, Autozoom Head, AF Auxiliary Lamp, Designated Slave Flash, Normal Slave Flash, Multi Flash functions. High-Speed Synchro, Wireless Flash, Exposure Compensation Function, and Modeling Flash functions cannot be used with some camera models. For details please refer to compatibility table. Manual switching of the amount of light is 1/1 - 1/64. Auto Power-Off function shuts off 240sec. after use.

TTL Auto Autozoom
Head
Manual
Flash
AF Auxiliary
Lamp
High-Speed
Synchro
Wireless
Flash
Designated
Slave
Flash *1

Normal
Slave
Flash

Exposure
Compensation
Function
α-7 DIGITAL ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK
αSweet DIGITAL ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK
α33 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α100 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α200 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α230 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α300 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α330 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α380 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α550 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
α700 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK
α900 ADI/DI(P-TTL) OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK

*These flashguns cannot be used with α-3700i (Maxxum 3000i/Dynax 3000i),α-5000,α-7000,α-9000 (Maxxum 5000, 7000, 9000/ Dynax 5000, 7000, 9000) cameras.
*1: It can be used as a master unit only.
*2: If built-in flash is used, please set the flash control of camera to Manual.
*3: Built-in flash cannot be used. Please set Master unit to manual mode.
*4: Please use Manual flash mode of your Master unit.

PA-PTTL Pentax
ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-610 DG SUPER

TTL Auto, Manual Flash, Autozoom Head, AF Auxiliary Lamp, Designated Slave Flash, Normal Slave Flash, Rear-Curtain Synchro and Multi Flash functions can be used with all AF models. Red-Eye Reduction, High-Speed Synchro and Wireless Flash functions cannot be used with some camera models. For details please refer to compatibility table. Manual switching of the amount of light is 1/1 - 1/64; Auto Power Off function shuts off 180sec. after use. When PTTL, High-Speed Synchro and Wireless Flash functions are used Automatic Flash Exposure OK will not be shown on the display.

TTL Auto Autozoom
Head
Manual
Flash
AF Auxiliary
Lamp
Red-Eye
Reduction
Function
High-Speed
Synchro
Wireless
Flash
Designated
Slave
Flash *1
Normal
Slave
Flash
Rear-Curtain
Synchro
*istD P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*2 OK
*istDS P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK*3 OK
*istDS2 P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK*3 OK
*istDL P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK*3 OK
*istDL2 P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK*3 OK
K10D P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K20D P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K100D P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK*3 OK
K100D Super P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK*4 OK OK*3 OK
K200D P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K-m P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K-r P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K-x P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K-5 P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK
K-7 P-TTL OK OK OK OK OK OK OK OK*3 OK

*1: It can be used as a master unit only.
*2: Please cancel pre-flash when using built-in flash or an external flashgun unit.
*3: Built-in flash cannot be used. Please set Master unit to manual mode.
*4: Built-in flash cannot be used for wireless flash. It can only be set if two or more DG SUPER units are used.

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Lens doesn't fit tightly PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Monday, 13 December 2010 15:28
If you're experiencing issues with the fit of your lens, it's probably due to the tolerances needed for mass production of any product; whilst Sigma use consistent metal mounts for their lenses, there's a degree of "flexibility" in the mount design to allow for different materials and qualities of product. Any up-down/left-right movement may indicate a problem with your camera body or lens that could affect the results you get, but rotational movement is fairly normal and shouldn't have any influence on your images. As long as the lens locks into the mount and all communication appears to be working (AF, metering and so forth) it will be within manufacturer tolerances. Read more


Friday 03 December 2010

Does Sigma still make manual focus lenses? PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Friday, 03 December 2010 00:00

Does Sigma make lenses for manual focus cameras ?
Sigma no longer manufactures lenses for most manual focus camera. However, in some cases (e.g. Nikon and Pentax) AF type lenses can be used for manual focus on the manual focus cameras.

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SD14 Language Selection PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Friday, 03 December 2010 00:00

SD14 camera menus are available in 8 languages from English, Japanese, German, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian and Korean.

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Can my Sigma flash be upgraded for E-TTL II? PDF Print Email
Written by Stuart Dennison
Friday, 03 December 2010 00:00

Can I have my Sigma flash, for Canon, updated to add the new ETTL II function for my new camera?
No, it is not necessary practical to try to add this function to an existing Sigma EF500 DG Super or EF500 DG ST flash unit for Canon cameras. These flashes are already compatible with this function.

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