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Flash Questions
   
1.
I’ve heard that Sigma has introduced a new digital camera. Is this true?
A: Sigma Corporation introduced a digital SLR camera called SD-14 at the Photokina 2006 show in Germany. It utilizes a new model Foveon image sensor having 14 million pixels. Like its predecessors this new sensor produces images superior to those of many current digital cameras; having higher resolution and greater freedom from color artifacts, that are common to conventional digital image sensors.
     
   
   
2.
How many pixels does the new Sigma digital camera have?
A: The Foveon X3 image sensor in the SD-14 camera has about 14 million pixels arranged in three layers of 4.67 million pixels each, to measure Red, Green and Blue light. This characteristic sets the SD-14 apart from all other digital cameras, enabling each pixel site to see all three colors, instead of only one color as in conventional image sensors. This eliminates the need for interpolation for the missing colors at each pixel site, which in turn avoids the color artifacts common to other digital image sensors, which in turn eliminates the need for the anti-aliasing (blurring) filter used in most other digital cameras. This results in higher resolution per pixel and more detail in the final print.
     
   
   
3.

I’ve read a lot about Sigma’s digital cameras and the Foveon image sensor, which sounds very desirable. But, while the dealers in my area stock Sigma lenses and flash units, they do not stock the SD14 digital SLR. I’d like to see the image quality of the SD14, but the images posted on the forums are generally smaller JPEG files, so I can’t really judge the image quality compared to other cameras. How can I see actual SD14 image quality?

I’ve heard many people tout the benefits of shooting in raw format, but I have had no experience with it, so I don’t know how it would benefit me. Also, is it difficult to work with raw files, rather than the more common JPEG type?

A: We appreciate your situations. To help address these issues, Sigma Corporation of America has had a new demo CD produced. Called the "Sigma Photo Pro Demo CD", it contains both versions of Photo Pro software; 3.0 for Windows and 2.2 for Mac computers, and a number of SD14 raw image files made by several photographers using SD14 cameras. The software can be installed on your computer and the images downloaded, viewed, manipulated, saved as JPEG or TIFF files and printed. This will enable you to see the potential image quality of the SD camera system, as well as the simplicity and versatility of the Photo Pro software, for processing the raw files. If you are in the United States, you can request a free copy of this demo CD from Sigma Corporation of America.
     
   
   
4.
How big is the image sensor in the SD-14? What is the cropping factor of the SD14 sensor?
A: The image sensor is 20.7mm x 13.8mm and will have a cropping factor of 1.7X (equivalent to multiplying the focal length of the lens on a 35mm SLR, by 1.7X).
     
   
   
5.
Does the SD14 feature JPEG capability?
A: Yes, it does. The SIGMA SD14 incorporates both RAW and four kinds of JPEG. For RAW data, its image recording formats enabling photographers to capture the highest possible picture definition and small file sizes. For JPEG, there are four recording modes such as Super High (14.15 million pixels: 4608~3072 pixels), High (4.64 million pixels: 2640~1760 pixels), Medium (2.1 million pixels: 1776~1184 pixels), Low (1.03 million pixels: 1296~864 pixels). There is a choice of three JPEG recording quality: Fine, Normal and Basic.
     
   
   
6.
How big is the file size of Sigma’s new digital SLR camera?
A: At the highest resolution the SD-14 produces files of about 13 megabytes, in RAW format. Medium resolution produces about 6.6 megabyte files, and the lowest resolution about 3.3 megabyte files. In JPEG mode, the file size range from about 7.5MB to as small as .3 MB
     
   
   
7.
How fast is the continuous shooting? How many images can be captured in continuous shooting mode?
A: The SD14 features a continuous shooting speed of 3 frames per second. The number of images that can be captured in continuous shooting mode is dependent upon the resolution setting: High - 6 frames, Medium - 12 frames, and Low - 24 frames.
     
   
   
8.
Which ISO Sensitivities can I select?
A: You can select the sensitivities equivalent to ISO 100, 200, 400, 800 and 1600.
     
   
   
9.
Does the Sigma digital SLR camera use USB interface to download images?
A: The Sigma SD-14 features a USB 2.0 port for downloading images to a computer. Optional separate CF card readers can also be use to download image. Also there is a video output for viewing recorded images on a video monitor (NTSB and PAL capable).
     
   
   
10.
Is it possible to use IEEE1394 with the SD14?
A: The SD14 is not equipped with the IEEE1394 terminal.
     
   
   
11.
Is the SD-14 compatible with Mac computers?
A: The SD-14 will operate with Sigma’s Photo Pro v3.1, or later, software for downloading and manipulating the images. This software is PC and Mac compatible.
     
   
   
12.
What kinds of Storage Media can I use with the SD14 camera?
A: You can use CompactFlash (TypeI/II) and Microdrive (FAT32 Compatible).
     
   
   
13.
What is the size of the LCD monitor that the SD14 camera features?
A: The SD14 camera features a large size LCD monitor of 2.5 inches with a 150,000 pixel resolution.
     
   
   
14.
What lenses are available for the SD-14 digital camera?
A: The Sigma SD-14 features Sigma’s exclusive SA lens mount, the same as used on Sigma’s 35mm SLR cameras. There is a full array of lenses available, from 8mm Circular Fisheye to 800mm APO telephoto, including five 1:1 macro lenses; and zoom lenses from 10-20mm to 300-800mm. By the way, the SD-14 features a stainless steel camera mount, and all current lenses for it feature metal lens mounts.
     
   
   
15.
Does the SD14 have a "dust reduction" function?
A: The SD 14 features a dust protector located just behind the lens mount. It effectively seals the camera’s interior against invasion by dust, when changing lenses. This helps prevent external dust and debris from entering the camera, in the first place. The dust protector also acts as the Infrared cut off filter. The dust protector can be easily removed to enable infrared photography, when desired (An appropriate filter should then be attached to the lens, to block visible light).
     
   
   
16.
Articles about the SD-14 camera mention that it has a dust protector to keep dust off the image sensor. If dust gets on the dust protector, will it appear in the image?
A: No, the dust protector in the SD-14 camera is located near the camera’s lens mount, at the front of the camera, so it is far away from the image sensor. Any dust or debris on the dust protector will never come into sharp focus at the image plane. The dust protector virtually seals the entire mirror box, protecting not only the image sensor, but also the reflex mirror and the viewing screen as well. It is also more easily cleaned, when necessary, than the sensor itself.
     
   
   
17.
What kind of metering system does the SD-14 camera use?
A: The SD-14 camera actually has three metering systems, an eight-zone evaluative system, plus center-weighted averaging and center area (about 7.5%). Users can select any metering system while in any exposure mode.
     
   
   
18.
How many AF metering points does the auto focus sensor of SD14 camera have?
A: There are 5 focusing points (center, left, right, up and down) and the AF metering features a fast and precise cross type sensor in the center of the screen.
     
   
   
19.
Does the SD14 have a built-in flash unit?
A: The SD14 features a built-in TTL controlled flash unit. It has a Guide Number of about 36/feet for ISO 100. It can be used to fire and control Sigma EF 530 DG Super and EF 500 DG Super flashes, for wireless flash function.
     
   
   
20.
Does the SD-14 camera have a depth-of-field preview?
A: Yes, like Sigma 35mm SLR cameras, the SD-14 digital SLR features an electronic depth-of-field preview button, which can be used in any exposure mode.
     
   
   
21.
Can I pre-lock the mirror on the SD-14 camera to minimize vibration?
A: The SD-14 digital SLR camera has mirror lock-up capability. This can be very useful to minimize image-degrading vibration, when using long lenses or longer shutter speeds. Once this function is turned on, the mirror can be locked-up by simply depressing the shutter release button fully once. Pressing the button a second time fires the shutter and returns the mirror to the normal viewing position after the exposure is complete. The mirror also can be locked up, and the shutter fired remotely, if the optional RS-31 wireless remote controller is used. This sequence can be repeated indefinitely, until the function is turned off. The RS-31 is also compatible with all earlier model Sigma digital and AF 35mm SLRs.
     
   
   
22.
Which languages are available in SD14 camera menus?
A: SD14 camera menus are available in 8 languages from English, Japanese, German, Chinese, French, Spanish, Italian and Korean.
     
   
   
23.
Who makes the SD-14 camera?
A: Sigma makes all of our own products, lenses, flash units and cameras, in Sigma’s own factory, in Japan. However, the X3 image sensor in the SD-14 is made by Foveon.
     
   
   
24.
When will the SD-14 be available?
A: Shipments of the SD-14 began in the March 2007.
     
   
 
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