On Thursday 18th June 2020 at 15h00, SIGMA proudly launched the new 100-400mm F5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary, Sigma’s first ultra telephoto lens designed exclusively for full-frame mirrorless cameras. In addition, SIGMA made the following announcements: Introduction of two new teleconverters designed exclusively for Sigma mirrorless lenses: – TC-1411 magnifies lens focal length by 1.4x. – TC-2011 magnifies lens focal length by 2x. Release of the Sigma USB Dock UD-11 for L-Mount and EF-M Mount mirrorless lenses. Availability of 16mm F1.4, 30mm F1.4 and 56mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary lenses in L-Mount.… read more →
A journey through my equipment upgrade career Text and photo’s by Sigma Ambassador Simon Du Plessis, Actionimage. A question I am asked often, and I just know a lot of other professional and experienced photographers are asked quite often, is what lens or camera is best for any specific application. Over the past 35 years or so that I’ve been active in photography, starting out as a real beginner with very basic entry level kit and upgrading, building up my experience , learning from two mentors back in the 80’s… read more →
Urban birdscaping during lockdown, an alternative compositional approach When I am not out covering motorsports, rugby and cricket, I enjoy wildlife and nature photography and have over the years built up an extensive database on South African birds, covering more than 360 species. As a birder I’ve spotted more than 500 species, but I only count those of which I have a presentable photograph. Every nature photographer will always advise you that the natural setting makes a wildlife photo more appealing, which is completely true. I aim for that as… read more →
As a wildlife photographer it is often far too easy to get stuck in the notion that you have to be in the bush capturing the big five to create powerful images. When lockdown began, a sense of dread consumed me, and the reality of having to put my camera away for the foreseeable future was a sobering thought. The longer I spent peering out of the windows in my house, the more I realised the natural world has carried on unfazed. Picking up my camera again, I began to… read more →
Watches. Carpets. TV’s. Lenses. I’ve always loved collecting big things. There’s something wildy attractive about getting beautiful items in their oversized editions. It’s the first thing we notice about the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 Art lens which is the sheer size of it. It’s a beast. For the photographer, it feels like pure confidence holding it. It’s big, bold and brazen. The photo hasn’t even been taken yet, and the models are feeling like this shoot is about to get real. They may even feel slightly intimidated. I love it. We’re… read more →
SIGMA Winning Products at TIPA World Awards 2020 The SIGMA Corporation is pleased to announce that ―The world’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless digital camera “SIGMA fp”, the definitive wide-aperture ultra-wide-angle zoom lens “SIGMA 14-24mm F2.8 DG DN | Art” and the definitive large-diameter zoom lens “SIGMA 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN | Art” for mirrorless cameras―have won TIPA World Awards 2020. 1. SIGMA fp Name of Award : BEST FULL FRAME CAMERA EXPERT The SIGMA fp is the world’s smallest and lightest “pocketable” mirrorless full-frame cameras, one that offers ease-of-use and… read more →
Macro photography is seen as 1:1 (life size) or bigger. Some would include 0.5:1 (half-life size) also as macro, but it is generally not accepted as such. Anything less than 1:1 must be viewed as close-up photography. No zoom lens I know of will provide true macro magnification used on its own irrespective of what is printed on the lens barrel. The difference between true macro and close-up photography is demonstrated by the dragonfly images, close-up on the complete insect, then full macro on the head only. He was just… read more →
In the beginning of most of our photographic journey’s we strive for the best light from over our shoulders that illuminates our subjects in late afternoon golden loveliness. Which it must be said is truly wonderful and makes great images of course. But…the moment I spun that first & last 10 minutes of glorious light on it’s head and had it over my subject shoulder, my photographic journey changed forever! What is not to love about deep rich reds and oranges dancing across a dusty scene creating moody and wonderful… read more →
Introduction The very popular range of 150-600mm zoom lenses, taking over from the 150-500mm models, has received yet another boost with the Sigma 150-600 f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Contemporary entering into this market segment, catering for those who are on a tighter budget and cannot justify the expense for a 500mm or 600mm f4 prime lens, or even the Sigma 150-600 f5-6.3 DG OS HSM Sport version of this lens. Offering slower maximum apertures typically at f6.3, these lenses give the enthusiast the perfect alternative to expensive fast prime or… read more →
The lockdown is upon on us, and we must make the most of a very uncomfortable situation. But all is not doom and gloom; there are ways in which you can make the experience of isolation less painful. The good news is that now “shooting in isolation” does not mean you have to keep looking over your shoulder all the time, as we are used to do when out all alone in a more rural area with expensive camera equipment. This time it means you are on your own, or… read more →