Sigma's New Glass & Features

Winder · 10-04-2012, 08:26 AM

Sigma unveils the programmable future of lenses | Photoclubalpha

All new Sigma lenses will be compatible with a USB-connected dock allowing firmware updates to be made by the user. Sigma has honoured its relationship with users for decades by upgrading the chips inside lenses free of charge whenever the protocols used by camera makers created an incompatibility. Now they have developed a way in which users can do this themselves without the lens having to be returned or ‘operated on’ in a workshop.

“It does more than just upgrade the chip”, he continued. “With a PC program, you will be able to change the focusing speed of the lens. All AF systems are a compromise, a balance between speed and accuracy. You will be able to set the lens to suit your working style, increasing the focus speed if you shoot action or improving accuracy if you take subjects like landscapes and portraits.

“All DSLRs have problems with front and back focus. Some cameras offer AF calibration, but not all allow you to have different corrections for each focal length of the zoom lens and for different focusing distances. Using our program, you will be able to calibrate new Sigma lenses for the full range of settings so you don’t get front or back focus at any distance or focal length.

“Our greatest breakthrough is in MTF testing. We have designed new MTF equipment, which will be used on the production of new lenses from now on. The MTF testing system we use for development is too slow to be used in production, and we have had our own Bayer sensor based system for this purpose. But it was not proving high enough resolution for new camera sensors like the D800.

“Now we have built our own MTF testing system, based on the 46 megapixel Foveon Merrill sensor used in the latest cameras. This allows a much better MTF tests. It will be used to test the sharpness of every new lens that Sigma manufacturers.”

Ubuntu_user · 10-04-2012, 10:41 AM

That's great! I think we're going to see Sigma become a more serious contender in the near future...

Buschmaster · 10-04-2012, 10:53 AM

WOW. As a computer scientist, I love this. As a photographer, I really love this.

Medium FormatPro · 10-04-2012, 11:27 AM

I talked to quite the number of people at (and in) Sigma while in Germany. I learned a great deal - although unfortunatley could never get it in writting.

There will be an updated new Merrill body in about one years time, in less than two - a Sigma full frame with the same sensor technology.

Even the first camera body wll be well above 2k, not full frame, but will also be signficantly better than even the new K5 without the filter. Too early to tell about the Sigma full frame, but using adapted existing technology - it would be almost as good as the Nikon D4, and might even exceed the D4 in price

pingflood · 10-04-2012, 11:52 AM

Sigma is a company that has a lot of good ideas and to a certain extent well engineered products, but their quality control and usability could really use a little help. If they improve QC significantly and start building cameras with firmware that feels like it is from the 21st century instead of the mid-1990s, they might really have something.

rawr · 10-04-2012, 02:55 PM

A USB dock? A PC program talking to the lens? Sounds good in theory as a big boost to lens usability. They should also release a SDK to let third parties control the lens better for specialised purposes too (tethering apps, focus bracketing, Magic Lantern, CHDK etc).

But I worry that this means soon we'll see malware being installed on our lenses, and lenses mysteriously 'phoning home' from time to time when they are connected to the computer. And remote users figuring out ways to kill a lens.

Winder · 10-04-2012, 03:54 PM

Originally posted by Medium FormatPro

I talked to quite the number of people at (and in) Sigma while in Germany. I learned a great deal - although unfortunatley could never get it in writting.

There will be an updated new Merrill body in about one years time, in less than two - a Sigma full frame with the same sensor technology.

Even the first camera body wll be well above 2k, not full frame, but will also be signficantly better than even the new K5 without the filter. Too early to tell about the Sigma full frame, but using adapted existing technology - it would be almost as good as the Nikon D4, and might even exceed the D4 in price

I think the Foveon technology is going to have a good future. It has some problems with color, but I think technology will eventually break through. I would what would have happened if Fuji had created the Foveon sensor. Sigma could be a major player in DSLR. Imagine if they had bought Pentax. Would it have been good or bad?

Buschmaster · 10-05-2012, 06:56 AM

Originally posted by rawr

A USB dock? A PC program talking to the lens? Sounds good in theory as a big boost to lens usability. They should also release a SDK to let third parties control the lens better for specialised purposes too (tethering apps, focus bracketing, Magic Lantern, CHDK etc).

But I worry that this means soon we'll see malware being installed on our lenses, and lenses mysteriously 'phoning home' from time to time when they are connected to the computer. And remote users figuring out ways to kill a lens.

I can't see that becoming an issue.

**jeffshaddix** · 10-05-2012, 07:00 AM

Originally posted by Medium FormatPro

I talked to quite the number of people at (and in) Sigma while in Germany. I learned a great deal - although unfortunatley could never get it in writting.

There will be an updated new Merrill body in about one years time, in less than two - a Sigma full frame with the same sensor technology.

Even the first camera body wll be well above 2k, not full frame, but will also be signficantly better than even the new K5 without the filter. Too early to tell about the Sigma full frame, but using adapted existing technology - it would be almost as good as the Nikon D4, and might even exceed the D4 in price

Great news, thanks! These guys seem to be doing everything right under their new leadership. I'm excited for the future of Sigma, I hope Pentax stays a part of their mount offerings.

rawr · 10-05-2012, 09:25 AM

Originally posted by Buschmaster

I can't see that becoming an issue.

While my statement was tongue-in-cheek, it's not inconceivable.

A lens with a bunch of chips in it and complex firmware running on it becomes just another computer. Connect it to a PC and a network, and it's going to be hackable. Give someone an incentive to do so, and it will happen.

pingflood · 10-05-2012, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by rawr

While my statement was tongue-in-cheek, it's not inconceivable.

A lens with a bunch of chips in it and complex firmware running on it becomes just another computer. Connect it to a PC and a network, and it's going to be hackable. Give someone an incentive to do so, and it will happen.

Eh, how much hacking of cameras have we seen so far?

rawr · 10-05-2012, 10:45 AM

Originally posted by pingflood

how much hacking of cameras have we seen so far?

Aside from CHDK and Magic Lantern... I've heard of few web cams, video-conferencing systems, CCTV systems, quite a few mobile phones etc.

pingflood · 10-05-2012, 10:50 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Aside from CHDK and Magic Lantern... I've heard of few web cams, video-conferencing systems, CCTV systems, quite a few mobile phones etc.

Yeah, but talking actual still image cameras. CHDK and Magic Lantern aren't "hacks" in the sense you are referring to.

Buschmaster · 10-05-2012, 11:30 AM

Originally posted by rawr

Aside from CHDK and Magic Lantern... I've heard of few web cams, video-conferencing systems, CCTV systems, quite a few mobile phones etc.

Those are all VERY different cases. These lenses will most likely be on bodies that have no connection to the web when shots are being taken. Then once the shots have been taken, the lens will have no ability to recollect the imaging data.

If someone "hacks" the lens, it would, worst case scenario, not focus correctly, right? Who would waste their time writing that hack?

pingflood · 10-05-2012, 01:12 PM

Who knows, maybe someone will use it to mine bitcoins...

10-04-2012, 08:26 AM	#1
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617	Sigma's New Glass & Features Sigma unveils the programmable future of lenses \| Photoclubalpha All new Sigma lenses will be compatible with a USB-connected dock allowing firmware updates to be made by the user. Sigma has honoured its relationship with users for decades by upgrading the chips inside lenses free of charge whenever the protocols used by camera makers created an incompatibility. Now they have developed a way in which users can do this themselves without the lens having to be returned or ‘operated on’ in a workshop. “It does more than just upgrade the chip”, he continued. “With a PC program, you will be able to change the focusing speed of the lens. All AF systems are a compromise, a balance between speed and accuracy. You will be able to set the lens to suit your working style, increasing the focus speed if you shoot action or improving accuracy if you take subjects like landscapes and portraits. “All DSLRs have problems with front and back focus. Some cameras offer AF calibration, but not all allow you to have different corrections for each focal length of the zoom lens and for different focusing distances. Using our program, you will be able to calibrate new Sigma lenses for the full range of settings so you don’t get front or back focus at any distance or focal length. “Our greatest breakthrough is in MTF testing. We have designed new MTF equipment, which will be used on the production of new lenses from now on. The MTF testing system we use for development is too slow to be used in production, and we have had our own Bayer sensor based system for this purpose. But it was not proving high enough resolution for new camera sensors like the D800. “Now we have built our own MTF testing system, based on the 46 megapixel Foveon Merrill sensor used in the latest cameras. This allows a much better MTF tests. It will be used to test the sharpness of every new lens that Sigma manufacturers.”

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10-04-2012, 10:41 AM	#2
Ubuntu_user Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,545	That's great! I think we're going to see Sigma become a more serious contender in the near future...

10-04-2012, 10:53 AM	#3
Buschmaster Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 806	WOW. As a computer scientist, I love this. As a photographer, I really love this.

10-04-2012, 11:27 AM	#4
Medium FormatPro Banned Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Charleston & Pittsburgh Photos: Albums Posts: 1,668	I talked to quite the number of people at (and in) Sigma while in Germany. I learned a great deal - although unfortunatley could never get it in writting. There will be an updated new Merrill body in about one years time, in less than two - a Sigma full frame with the same sensor technology. Even the first camera body wll be well above 2k, not full frame, but will also be signficantly better than even the new K5 without the filter. Too early to tell about the Sigma full frame, but using adapted existing technology - it would be almost as good as the Nikon D4, and might even exceed the D4 in price

10-04-2012, 11:52 AM	#5
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Sigma is a company that has a lot of good ideas and to a certain extent well engineered products, but their quality control and usability could really use a little help. If they improve QC significantly and start building cameras with firmware that feels like it is from the 21st century instead of the mid-1990s, they might really have something.

10-04-2012, 02:55 PM	#6
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	A USB dock? A PC program talking to the lens? Sounds good in theory as a big boost to lens usability. They should also release a SDK to let third parties control the lens better for specialised purposes too (tethering apps, focus bracketing, Magic Lantern, CHDK etc). But I worry that this means soon we'll see malware being installed on our lenses, and lenses mysteriously 'phoning home' from time to time when they are connected to the computer. And remote users figuring out ways to kill a lens.

10-04-2012, 03:54 PM	#7
Winder Veteran Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Tennessee Posts: 6,617 Original Poster	Originally posted by Medium FormatPro I talked to quite the number of people at (and in) Sigma while in Germany. I learned a great deal - although unfortunatley could never get it in writting. There will be an updated new Merrill body in about one years time, in less than two - a Sigma full frame with the same sensor technology. Even the first camera body wll be well above 2k, not full frame, but will also be signficantly better than even the new K5 without the filter. Too early to tell about the Sigma full frame, but using adapted existing technology - it would be almost as good as the Nikon D4, and might even exceed the D4 in price I think the Foveon technology is going to have a good future. It has some problems with color, but I think technology will eventually break through. I would what would have happened if Fuji had created the Foveon sensor. Sigma could be a major player in DSLR. Imagine if they had bought Pentax. Would it have been good or bad?

10-05-2012, 06:56 AM	#8
Buschmaster Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 806	Originally posted by rawr A USB dock? A PC program talking to the lens? Sounds good in theory as a big boost to lens usability. They should also release a SDK to let third parties control the lens better for specialised purposes too (tethering apps, focus bracketing, Magic Lantern, CHDK etc). But I worry that this means soon we'll see malware being installed on our lenses, and lenses mysteriously 'phoning home' from time to time when they are connected to the computer. And remote users figuring out ways to kill a lens. I can't see that becoming an issue.

10-05-2012, 07:00 AM	#9
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by Medium FormatPro I talked to quite the number of people at (and in) Sigma while in Germany. I learned a great deal - although unfortunatley could never get it in writting. There will be an updated new Merrill body in about one years time, in less than two - a Sigma full frame with the same sensor technology. Even the first camera body wll be well above 2k, not full frame, but will also be signficantly better than even the new K5 without the filter. Too early to tell about the Sigma full frame, but using adapted existing technology - it would be almost as good as the Nikon D4, and might even exceed the D4 in price Great news, thanks! These guys seem to be doing everything right under their new leadership. I'm excited for the future of Sigma, I hope Pentax stays a part of their mount offerings.

10-05-2012, 09:25 AM	#10
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by Buschmaster I can't see that becoming an issue. While my statement was tongue-in-cheek, it's not inconceivable. A lens with a bunch of chips in it and complex firmware running on it becomes just another computer. Connect it to a PC and a network, and it's going to be hackable. Give someone an incentive to do so, and it will happen.

10-05-2012, 10:38 AM	#11
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Originally posted by rawr While my statement was tongue-in-cheek, it's not inconceivable. A lens with a bunch of chips in it and complex firmware running on it becomes just another computer. Connect it to a PC and a network, and it's going to be hackable. Give someone an incentive to do so, and it will happen. Eh, how much hacking of cameras have we seen so far?

10-05-2012, 10:45 AM	#12
rawr Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Posts: 11,913	Originally posted by pingflood how much hacking of cameras have we seen so far? Aside from CHDK and Magic Lantern... I've heard of few web cams, video-conferencing systems, CCTV systems, quite a few mobile phones etc.

10-05-2012, 10:50 AM	#13
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Originally posted by rawr Aside from CHDK and Magic Lantern... I've heard of few web cams, video-conferencing systems, CCTV systems, quite a few mobile phones etc. Yeah, but talking actual still image cameras. CHDK and Magic Lantern aren't "hacks" in the sense you are referring to.

10-05-2012, 11:30 AM	#14
Buschmaster Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Minnesota Posts: 806	Originally posted by rawr Aside from CHDK and Magic Lantern... I've heard of few web cams, video-conferencing systems, CCTV systems, quite a few mobile phones etc. Those are all VERY different cases. These lenses will most likely be on bodies that have no connection to the web when shots are being taken. Then once the shots have been taken, the lens will have no ability to recollect the imaging data. If someone "hacks" the lens, it would, worst case scenario, not focus correctly, right? Who would waste their time writing that hack?

10-05-2012, 01:12 PM	#15
pingflood Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Borås, Sweden Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,169	Who knows, maybe someone will use it to mine bitcoins...