SIGMA CEO DROPS BY THE DV SHOP

We had the great pleasure and honour of having Sigma CEO Mr. Kazuto Yamaki visit us yesterday. He was in Toronto on a fact-finding mission, to see the market potential for the new line of Sigma Cine lenses that was launched this year at NAB. The Cine market is new for Sigma, and he is trying to gauge what the market wants, hence the reason for his visit to Toronto.

Mr. Yamaki has transformed Sigma since taking over the company from his father, who passed away in 2012. What is remarkable is how quickly he was able to re-make Sigma in his image, pushing Sigma into a top-tier lens manufacturer, competing with the best of the best.

We had a wide-ranging and fascinating discussion on lenses and photography with him. Did you know it costs about US $1.5-2 million dollars in R&D to design a new lens?

In person, Mr. Yamaki is humble and gracious. In stark contrast to most other photographic executives, he is honest, open and unguarded. One can have a real conversation with him, without having to endure empty talking points and corporate speak. And he is the same in the media interviews he gives. Under that gracious exterior, we did sense someone who is driven and focused though. 

If I were Zeiss, Angenieux, Fujinon, and Canon, I'd be worried. Sigma's coming for you.

BEST DRONE FOOTAGE OF THE WEEK

You may think you're a good drone pilot, but after you watch this video taken on Muscle Beach in Santa Monica, you realize you have a lot to learn. Kudos to Robert McIntosh, the Jedi Knight of Drones. 

Enjoy! And be humbled.

Canon Announces The C200

On May 31st, Canon announced their latest Cinema EOS camera - the 4K C200. We'll see it in August, with body price coming in at $9,999. The video above gives a good overview of the new features.

Learn more here.