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Sigma SD9

APS-C AF digital SLR camera

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Sigma SD9

Specification

■ Production details
Announced:February 2002
System:-
■ Imaging plane
Maximum format:APS-C
Mount and Flange focal distance:Sigma SA [44mm]
Imaging plane:20.7 × 13.8mm Foveon X3 CMOS sensor
Resolution:2268 × 1512 - 3 MP
■ Shutter
Type:Focal-plane
Model:Electronically controlled
Speeds:15 - 1/6000 + B
Sensor-shift image stabilization:-
■ Exposure
Exposure metering:Through-the-lens (TTL), open-aperture
Exposure modes:Programmed Auto
Aperture-priority Auto
Shutter-priority Auto
Manual
■ Physical characteristics
Weight:805g
Dimensions:152x120x79mm

Manufacturer description

1. SIGMA SD9 with FOVEON® X3TM Technology

The breakthrough Sigma SD9 camera features the FOVEON® X3TM image sensor which is the world's first image-sensor that features three layers of photo detectors. The layers are embedded in silicon to take advantage of the fact that red, green and blue light penetrate silicon to different depths allowing full-color to be measured at every pixel. The layers are positioned to take advantage of the fact that silicon absorbs different colors of light at different depths, so one layer records red, another layer records green and the other layer records blue, This means that for every pixel on a FOVEON® X3TM image sensor, there's actually a stack of three photo detectors, forming the first and only full-color capture system.

SIGMA SD9 powered by FOVEON® X3TM image sensors capture red, green and blue light at each and every pixel. All other image sensors feature just one layer of photo detectors, with just one photo detector per pixel. To capture color, pixels are organized in a grid, or mosaic, resembling a three-color checkerboard. Each pixel captures just one color-red, green or blue. Filters let only one wavelength of light (red, green or blue) pass through to any given pixel, allowing it to record only one color. As a result, mosaic sensors capture only 25% of the red and blue light, and just 50% of the green.

This approach has inherent drawbacks, no matter how many pixels a mosaic-based image sensor might contain. Since they only capture one third of the color, mosaic-based image sensors must rely on complex processing to interpolate the two-thirds they miss. Interpolation leads to color artifacts and a loss of image detail. In fact, some digital cameras intentionally blur pictures to reduce color artifacts.

That's why the SIGMA SD9 powered by FOVEON® X3TM technology delivers twice the sharpness, better color detail and greater resistance to unpredictable color artifacts.

2. RAW Image Format

With the RAW data recording system of the SIGMA SD9. It is possible to obtain high picture definition and compact file size. Lossless compression system of RAW data, eliminates image deterioration, provides superior pictures without sacrificing original image quality, RAW data is convertible into high TIFF and JPEG formats by dedicated image processing software "SIGMA Photo Pro". According to the requirements of the photographer, it is also possible to change the characteristics of the image, such as white balance, brightness, contrast etc. when it is converted into TIFF and JPEG formats. Even if the photographer makes some additional adjustments to the image, the quality of the image will not deteriorate, if the photographer makes the adjustments based on the saved RAW data.

3. Image Recording with Three Resolution Settings

Depending on the intention of the photographer, the SIGMA SD9 allows photographers to select the resolutions of RAW data images in one of three resolution modes.

  • HI mode delivers highest resolution image performance with (2263x1512 pixels) x 3.
  • MED mode (1134x756 pixels) x 3 has high definition and recording capacity.
  • LOW mode (756x504 pixels) x3 allows consecutive shooting of more images.

4. Sports Finder

The coverage of a viewfinder of a digital SLR camera with interchangeable lens is almost the same as the picture seen on its image sensor.

However, the coverage of viewfinder can be maximum 100% and no portions of the outside area reflected on the image sensor can be seen. SIGMA SD9 is equipped with a "sport finder" for easily seeing the situation outside the picture area.

The range that is out of the image sensor coverage area is marked by transparent light gray, to distinguish it from the active picture taking area.

It is also important to control the surrounding situation of the photographic subject. In this respect. The sports finder will be ready to provide a good opportunity to take a good picture anytime. When taking a picture of a fixed object or close-up photography, composition can be easily determined because the area outside of the range of the picture can be seen.

5. Dust Protector

Dust and dirt entering through the lens mount of the camera can create serious defects in image quality. If dust and dirt adhere to the image sensor and are not removed, it will degrade the image quality. In order to prevent dust entering and adhering to image sensor, the body mount of SIGMA SD9 is equipped with an integral dust protector, The dust protector of the SIGMA SD9 prevents dust from entering and adhering to the image sensor, Even if dust adheres to the dust protector it will not have an influence on image quality because the dust protector is located well away from the image sensor.

6. Easy To Use Interface

Each button of the Sigma SD9 is devised and arranged to provide a functional and easy-to-use setting.

By means of the 4-Way Controller on the back of the body, menu settings and camera settings can be selected and adjusted very quickly.

By using the Zoom-in View mode, the details of the image can be enlarged and examined by moving the cursor and choosing the area viewed with the 4-Way Controller.

The command dial can quickly select the resolution settings, and the ISO sensitivity setting. It is also possible to shift the exposure program in the Program AE Mode.

7. 1.8"type TFT Monitor

The SIGMA SD9 is equipped with a large 1.8' 130,000 dot low temperature poly silicon TFT-LCD monitor with white LED on the back panel, which displays images, menus and histogram, The coverage area of the LCD monitor is 100% of the area seen by the image sensor, and it will have similar coverage to that seen from the viewfinder. Thanks to the LCD-monitor, the composition can be seen easily.

By operation Of 4-Way Controller, three types of screen display can be chosen; thumbnail display (9 segments simultaneous display), Single-image display, and a Zoom-in display (the area to be enlarged can be freely chosen with the 4-Way Controller).

8. EEE1394 & USB Interface

The SIGMA SD9 can transmit the images from camera to computer with high-speed IEEE1394 (S400) and widely available USB interfaces.

SIGMA SD9 is equipped with IEEE1394 (Firewire) interface to deliver super-high-speed image data transmission rate.

9. Image Storage Media; Compact Flash TM (CF) Card, Microdrive ®.

SIGMA SD9 employs CF card as Image Storage Media. Since the SIGMA SD9 is compatible with the Compact Flash both Type I and II card, use of IBM Microdrive is also possible.

The outstanding storage capacity of IBM Microdrive ® enables photographers to use the camera even more effectively.

10. CR-V3 Batteries

Two CR123A batteries, which are located in the grip part of a camera, are used as a power supply for the camera drive part. In addition, two CR-V3 lithium batteries located in the lower part of the camera, are used as a power supply for the digital parts, such as a display of LCD, and image processing- Lithium batteries enable photographers to shoot many images.

A shutter release button is supplied with the optional power pack SD for vertical shooting.

Since this power pack SD can be equipped with four CR-V3 batteries extensive photography can be attained.

11. NTSC/PAL

SIGMA SD9 camera's video output system can be switched between PAL system (used in Europe, etc..) and NTSC system (in Japan and the U.S., etc.). This means that video output of the SIGMA SD9 Picture is possible anywhere in the world.

Similar cameras (3)

APS-C • Auto focus • Digital • Singe-lens reflex • Sigma SA mount

Model Shutter Metering Modes Year
Sigma SD1 [Merrill] E, 1/8000 TTL • OA PASM 2010
Sigma SD10 E, 1/6000 TTL • OA PASM 2003
Sigma SD14 E, 1/4000 TTL • OA PASM 2006
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35mm full frame

43.27 24 36
  • Dimensions: 36 × 24mm
  • Aspect ratio: 3:2
  • Diagonal: 43.27mm
  • Area: 864mm2

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Image stabilizer

A technology used for reducing or even eliminating the effects of camera shake. Gyro sensors inside the lens detect camera shake and pass the data to a microcomputer. Then an image stabilization group of elements controlled by the microcomputer moves inside the lens and compensates camera shake in order to keep the image static on the imaging sensor or film.

The technology allows to increase the shutter speed by several stops and shoot handheld in such lighting conditions and at such focal lengths where without image stabilizer you have to use tripod, decrease the shutter speed and/or increase the ISO setting which can lead to blurry and noisy images.

Original name

Lens name as indicated on the lens barrel (usually on the front ring). With lenses from film era, may vary slightly from batch to batch.

Format

Format refers to the shape and size of film or image sensor.

35mm is the common name of the 36x24mm film format or image sensor format. It has an aspect ratio of 3:2, and a diagonal measurement of approximately 43mm. The name originates with the total width of the 135 film which was the primary medium of the format prior to the invention of the full frame digital SLR. Historically the 35mm format was sometimes called small format to distinguish it from the medium and large formats.

APS-C is an image sensor format approximately equivalent in size to the film negatives of 25.1x16.7mm with an aspect ratio of 3:2.

Medium format is a film format or image sensor format larger than 36x24mm (35mm) but smaller than 4x5in (large format).

Angle of view

Angle of view describes the angular extent of a given scene that is imaged by a camera. It is used interchangeably with the more general term field of view.

As the focal length changes, the angle of view also changes. The shorter the focal length (eg 18mm), the wider the angle of view. Conversely, the longer the focal length (eg 55mm), the smaller the angle of view.

A camera's angle of view depends not only on the lens, but also on the sensor. Imaging sensors are sometimes smaller than 35mm film frame, and this causes the lens to have a narrower angle of view than with 35mm film, by a certain factor for each sensor (called the crop factor).

This website does not use the angles of view provided by lens manufacturers, but calculates them automatically by the following formula: 114.6 * arctan (21.622 / CF * FL),

where:

CF – crop-factor of a sensor,
FL – focal length of a lens.

Mount

A lens mount is an interface — mechanical and often also electrical — between a camera body and a lens.

A lens mount may be a screw-threaded type, a bayonet-type, or a breech-lock type. Modern camera lens mounts are of the bayonet type, because the bayonet mechanism precisely aligns mechanical and electrical features between lens and body, unlike screw-threaded mounts.

Lens mounts of competing manufacturers (Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sony etc.) are always incompatible. In addition to the mechanical and electrical interface variations, the flange focal distance can also be different.

The flange focal distance (FFD) is the distance from the mechanical rear end surface of the lens mount to the focal plane.

Lens construction

Lens construction – a specific arrangement of elements and groups that make up the optical design, including type and size of elements, type of used materials etc.

Element - an individual piece of glass which makes up one component of a photographic lens. Photographic lenses are nearly always built up of multiple such elements.

Group – a cemented together pieces of glass which form a single unit or an individual piece of glass. The advantage is that there is no glass-air surfaces between cemented together pieces of glass, which reduces reflections.

Focal length

The focal length is the factor that determines the size of the image reproduced on the focal plane, picture angle which covers the area of the subject to be photographed, depth of field, etc.

Speed

The largest opening or stop at which a lens can be used is referred to as the speed of the lens. The larger the maximum aperture is, the faster the lens is considered to be. Lenses that offer a large maximum aperture are commonly referred to as fast lenses, and lenses with smaller maximum aperture are regarded as slow.

In low-light situations, having a wider maximum aperture means that you can shoot at a faster shutter speed or work at a lower ISO, or both.

Closest focusing distance

The minimum distance from the focal plane (film or sensor) to the subject where the lens is still able to focus.

Closest working distance

The distance from the front edge of the lens to the subject at the maximum magnification.

Magnification ratio

Determines how large the subject will appear in the final image. For example, a magnification ratio of 1:1 means that the image of the subject formed on the film or sensor will be the same size as the subject in real life. For this reason, a 1:1 ratio is often called "life-size".

Manual focus override in autofocus mode

Allows to perform final focusing manually after the camera has locked the focus automatically. Note that you don't have to switch camera and/or lens to manual focus mode.

Manual focus override in autofocus mode

Allows to perform final focusing manually after the camera has locked the focus automatically. Note that you don't have to switch camera and/or lens to manual focus mode.

Electronic manual focus override is performed in the following way: half-press the shutter button, wait until the camera has finished the autofocusing and then focus manually without releasing the shutter button using the focusing ring.

Manual diaphragm

The diaphragm must be stopped down manually by rotating the detent aperture ring.

Preset diaphragm

The lens has two rings, one is for pre-setting, while the other is for normal diaphragm adjustment. The first ring must be set at the desired aperture, the second ring then should be fully opened for focusing, and turned back for stop down to the pre-set value.

Semi-automatic diaphragm

The lens features spring mechanism in the diaphragm, triggered by the shutter release, which stops down the diaphragm to the pre-set value. The spring needs to be reset manually after each exposure to re-open diaphragm to its maximum value.

Automatic diaphragm

The camera automatically closes the diaphragm down during the shutter operation. On completion of the exposure, the diaphragm re-opens to its maximum value.

Fixed diaphragm

The aperture setting is fixed at F/ on this lens, and cannot be adjusted.

Number of blades

As a general rule, the more blades that are used to create the aperture opening in the lens, the rounder the out-of-focus highlights will be.

Some lenses are designed with curved diaphragm blades, so the roundness of the aperture comes not from the number of blades, but from their shape. However, the fewer blades the diaphragm has, the more difficult it is to form a circle, regardless of rounded edges.

At maximum aperture, the opening will be circular regardless of the number of blades.

Weight

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

Maximum diameter x Length

Excluding case or pouch, caps and other detachable accessories (lens hood, close-up adapter, tripod adapter etc.).

For lenses with collapsible design, the length is indicated for the working (retracted) state.

Weather sealing

A rubber material which is inserted in between each externally exposed part (manual focus and zoom rings, buttons, switch panels etc.) to ensure it is properly sealed against dust and moisture.

Lenses that accept front mounted filters typically do not have gaskets behind the filter mount. It is recommended to use a filter for complete weather resistance when desired.

Fluorine coating

Helps keep lenses clean by reducing the possibility of dust and dirt adhering to the lens and by facilitating cleaning should the need arise. Applied to the outer surface of the front and/or rear lens elements over multi-coatings.

Filters

Lens filters are accessories that can protect lenses from dirt and damage, enhance colors, minimize glare and reflections, and add creative effects to images.

Lens hood

A lens hood or lens shade is a device used on the end of a lens to block the sun or other light source in order to prevent glare and lens flare. Flare occurs when stray light strikes the front element of a lens and then bounces around within the lens. This stray light often comes from very bright light sources, such as the sun, bright studio lights, or a bright white background.

The geometry of the lens hood can vary from a plain cylindrical or conical section to a more complex shape, sometimes called a petal, tulip, or flower hood. This allows the lens hood to block stray light with the higher portions of the lens hood, while allowing more light into the corners of the image through the lowered portions of the hood.

Lens hoods are more prominent in long focus lenses because they have a smaller viewing angle than that of wide-angle lenses. For wide angle lenses, the length of the hood cannot be as long as those for telephoto lenses, as a longer hood would enter the wider field of view of the lens.

Lens hoods are often designed to fit onto the matching lens facing either forward, for normal use, or backwards, so that the hood may be stored with the lens without occupying much additional space. In addition, lens hoods can offer some degree of physical protection for the lens due to the hood extending farther than the lens itself.

Teleconverters

Teleconverters increase the effective focal length of lenses. They also usually maintain the closest focusing distance of lenses, thus increasing the magnification significantly. A lens combined with a teleconverter is normally smaller, lighter and cheaper than a "direct" telephoto lens of the same focal length and speed.

Teleconverters are a convenient way of enhancing telephoto capability, but it comes at a cost − reduced maximum aperture. Also, since teleconverters magnify every detail in the image, they logically also magnify residual aberrations of the lens.

Lens caps

Scratched lens surfaces can spoil the definition and contrast of even the finest lenses. Lens covers are the best and most inexpensive protection available against dust, moisture and abrasion. Safeguard lens elements - both front and rear - whenever the lens is not in use.