The bi-annual Photokina trade show is an important event in the photographic calendar. Not only does it allow photographers to see the whole spectrum of photographic kit under one roof (well, several roofs close together actually) but it provides the perfect platform for manufacturers to launch the next range of exiting products. This year is no different…

is Naturally, for Sigma the most important announcement is the SD1 – with a 15.34×3 sensor, the slim, magnesium bodied camera is every inch the professional model that Sigma users have been crying out for since the SD9; weather sealed, competitive spatial resolution and some serious professional thinking (including what appear to be Mamiya-esque custom function positions on the mode wheel). With a standard SA mount, the new 46Mp sensor is slightly larger physically than the current 14Mp model, and brings a standard 1.5 crop to the SA body; wide angle will finally be getting a little wider. Visually the camera shares little with the SD15 and clearly sits as a higher-end body rather than a replacement – pricing is rumoured (from Sigma distributors) to be competitive with the Canon 7D, so around £1,500-1,800. The LCD display is the same specification as the SD15, but a new metering and AF unit are present offering 11 point AF and 77-segment metering.
 
 

 
No figures have been given for performance yet, but with dual TRUE-II processors and hopefully a decent amount of buffer memory, it’ll compete well with the performance of MF digital backs and other systems moving this much image data. It’s worth remembering that no matter how the pixels are arranged, Sigma’s system is moving as many around as a £13,000 MFD system!
 

 
Crucially the pre-production model on display was seen with menus operational, a battery in it (unfortunately this was low on charge when I saw it) and Sigma are saying it will be available in Spring 2011. With weather sealing now appearing on Sigma’s EX range of lenses, this is gunning for the same markets the SD9 excited 7 years ago and competing on the same terms; a bold new stage for Sigma’s camera ambitions.
 

 
Talking of bold new stages; Sigma’s Photokina stand was aimed very much at the art of imaging, rather than the tech and feature heavy many manufacturers opted for. The large cove, mezzanine and floor level shooting area and a Sigma-sponsored race car were joined by ballet dancers and models throughout the show, with a gallery behind and Sigma’s full range of lenses available for examination (and in some cases, demo) by visitors.
 

 
Photokina saw that lens range extended by two – the new 120-300 F2.8 EX DG OS and the 150mm EX DG Macro OS – the former of which not only delivers an exceedingly popular full-frame focal length, it adds weathersealing to Sigma’s lens range – making it appealing to pro users with high-end bodies working in more demanding environments (and nicely tying in with the new body engineering of the SD1).
 
Finally the flash range has been upgraded, giving Sigma one of the most powerful on-camera flash systems on the market with a Guide Number of 61.
 

 
There is no doubt that Sigma is facing the next decade – and for them, moving into a second century of operation – with a bold, aggressive product range and stance. Looking back over their history there’s been a fairly consistent improvement in product diversity and quality from the first lenses to the present day, and this looks set to continue. Sigma’s future looks bright, and I’m looking forward to seeing them at Photokina 2012.
 
Photokina’s glance at the wider photographic market is interesting in itself. Some things remain comfortable in their niche…
 

 
And some things manage to survive despite massive upheaval of the industry around them.
 

One thing is clear is that the face of photography may have the same features, but the expression is changing. Nearly all of the consumer/professional manufacturers were focusing on wider media – video, audio, multimedia and sharing/social networking. For the photographer, it’s becoming a bewildering market, and the business of just taking pictures well seems to be almost lost in this high-tech market. Sigma’s position with the SD1 could be very strong indeed amongst real, serious photographers.