Sigma Launches the Sigma USB DOCK

[Canon Rumors]

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<strong>Sigma USB Dock</strong>


By connecting the USB cable to a computer, SIGMA USB DOCK enables photographers to update the lens firmware and adjust parameters such as focus. The adjustment is processed with special software (SIGMA Optimization Pro). The AF speed, focus limiter and OS function are also customizable for Sports lenses.</p>
<div id="attachment_12581" class="wp-caption aligncenter" style="width: 410px"><a href="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SM_Dock.jpg"><img class="size-full wp-image-12581" alt="Sigma USB Dock" src="http://www.canonrumors.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/01/SM_Dock.jpg" width="400" height="286" /></a><p class="wp-caption-text">Sigma USB Dock</p></div>
<p>Release: Early 2013.

Compatible lens

Art | 35mm F1.4 DG HSM

Contemporary | 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO OS HSM / 17-70mm F2.8-4 DC MACRO HSM

Sports | 120-300mm F2.8 DG OS HSM

* The Appearance and specifications are subject to change without notice</p>
<hr />
<p><!--more--></p>
<p>Special Software “SIGMA Optimization Pro” will offer the following customization.</p>
<p><strong>Focus setting</strong></p>
<p>Contemporary, Art and Sports

• Updating Lens Firmware

It is possible to update the lens firmware via the internet.

• Focus Setting

Multiple focus setting options are available: 4 categories for fixed focal length lenses, and 16 categories (4 options for focal length) x (4 options for shooting distance) for zoom lenses.</p>
<p><strong>For Sports line</strong>

• AF Speed Adjustment

There are 3 AF speed modes.

• Focus Limiter Adjustment

Offering customization for the driving range of auto focus enables a photographer to exactly reflect the personal preference.

• OS Setting

There are 3 OS (Optical Stabilizer) adjustment modes.</p>
<p>You can download “SIGMA Optimization Pro for Windows” and “SIGMA Optimization Pro for Macintosh” from the link below.</p>
<p>http://www.sigma-global.com/en/lenses/cas/</p>
<p><strong>Condition of Operation</strong>

Windows

This software operates in the condition that meets with the following criteria;

• Pentium 4 processor or higher

• Windows 7 or Windows 8 is pre-installed.

• 1GB of RAM or higher

• 1 GB of available hard drive space.

• 24-bit graphics card (approx. 16.7 million colors).

• 1024×768 or higher screen resolution.

• USB 1.1 as standard</p>
<p>Mac OS

This software operates in the condition that meets with the following criteria;

• Intel processor that either Mac OS X 10.7 or 10.8 is pre-installed

• 1GB of RAM or higher

• 1 GB of available hard drive space.

• 24-bit graphics card (approx. 16.7 million colors).

• 1024×768 or higher screen resolution.

• USB 1.1 as standard.</p>

 

[zim]

Have to admit I don't actually understand all that so a breakdown in simple terms would be most appreciated but if it's what I think it will do (AFAM on steriods without additional calibration software) then it sounds absolutely brilliant!

 

[Schruminator]

I think a lot of the thought behind this is the ability to change the software/firmware on a lens. This way if Canon (or Nikon, etc) decide to change the protocol of how the camera body communicates with the lens, Sigma can roll out updates so your lenses don't become fancy paperweights.

On the same note, if you are able to tweak other parameters, that could be interesting as well.

 

[JohnnyWashngo]

Typical - Windows and Mac OS only. My poor Linux box is feeling very unloved right now.

Here's hoping WINE can handle the application or I may have to resort to a Windows VM in order to use the software.

Great idea though. Can't wait to have a play around.

 

[mediumtv]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

 

[JohnnyWashngo]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

 

[Drizzt321]

I think this could be a big step in lenses, allowing end-users to be able to tweak some designs slightly. I think that if they actually made it so that this could be attached while the lens and body were attached, and something like FoCal could support the Sigma protocol, it could allow for some really interesting AF tweaks for a specific lens+body configuration. Now if only there were a way to get the lens to recognize a specific body and store camera body profiles like a body can recognize an individual lens...

 

[Marsu42]

Focus setting

Contemporary, Art and Sports • Updating Lens Firmware It is possible to update the lens firmware via the internet. • Focus Setting Multiple focus setting options are available: 4 categories for fixed focal length lenses, and 16 categories (4 options for focal length) x (4 options for shooting distance) for zoom lenses.

For Sports line • AF Speed Adjustment There are 3 AF speed modes. • Focus Limiter Adjustment Offering customization for the driving range of auto focus enables a photographer to exactly reflect the personal preference. • OS Setting There are 3 OS (Optical Stabilizer) adjustment modes.

I have to say I'm impressed - lenses have reached the digital age at last, it'll be interesting to see if Canon follows and adds more customization options for their lenses directly through the eos cameras.

 

[Drizzt321]

Focus setting

Contemporary, Art and Sports • Updating Lens Firmware It is possible to update the lens firmware via the internet. • Focus Setting Multiple focus setting options are available: 4 categories for fixed focal length lenses, and 16 categories (4 options for focal length) x (4 options for shooting distance) for zoom lenses.

For Sports line • AF Speed Adjustment There are 3 AF speed modes. • Focus Limiter Adjustment Offering customization for the driving range of auto focus enables a photographer to exactly reflect the personal preference. • OS Setting There are 3 OS (Optical Stabilizer) adjustment modes.

I have to say I'm impressed - lenses have reached the digital age at last, it'll be interesting to see if Canon follows and adds more customization options for their lenses directly through the eos cameras.

They might. And then prevent 3rd parties like FoCal from accessing those like what they did for the 5d3. And no, I'm not going to stop grumbling about that.

 

[AdamJ]

I have a heavily modified superbike with a third party box of tricks (Power Commander) that assigns a fuel/air ratio for every combination of engine speed and gear. I'm hoping that the Sigma device and the lens firmware will allow similarly accurate mapping so that it will compensate for focus shifting at any aperture and focus distance. There's no reason why it couldn't allow this technically. If so, I'd buy their 50mm f/1.4 and 85mm f/1.4.

 

[Marsu42]

They might. And then prevent 3rd parties like FoCal from accessing those like what they did for the 5d3. And no, I'm not going to stop grumbling about that.

Maybe it does make you feel better there's full FoCal support for the 6d again, Canon might have heard your grumbling!

 

[Drizzt321]

They might. And then prevent 3rd parties like FoCal from accessing those like what they did for the 5d3. And no, I'm not going to stop grumbling about that.

Maybe it does make you feel better there's full FoCal support for the 6d again, Canon might have heard your grumbling!

Now if they fix it for the 5d3 for the supposedly forthcoming firmware update, I'll stop grumbling. If they actually do it, I'll sing a few praises, if not, I'll blast them with some more email communication asking them to stop being 'tards. In nicer words though.

 

[westr70]

I think this could be a big step in lenses, allowing end-users to be able to tweak some designs slightly. I think that if they actually made it so that this could be attached while the lens and body were attached, and something like FoCal could support the Sigma protocol, it could allow for some really interesting AF tweaks for a specific lens+body configuration. Now if only there were a way to get the lens to recognize a specific body and store camera body profiles like a body can recognize an individual lens...

+ 1 This would seriously be a big step in the right direction.

 

[Mt Spokane Photography]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

it smacks of good business sense, you don't waste money and stay in business.

 

[Drizzt321]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

it smacks of good business sense, you don't waste money and stay in business.

I think what JohnnyWashngo is trying to say is, it likely could have been done in a fully cross-platform for little to no additional cost (money/personal/etc). Not sure if he's completely correct or not, but it very well may be correct since the only cross-platform stuff I've developed has been Java, and that has it's own quirks and issues.

If the cost had actually be very minimal, it might very well have been nice to release it. However, I'm sure some enterprising person will sniff the USB packets and reverse engineer the protocol. Then all of us linux geeks (well, ok, I use Windows for Lightroom. I'm sorry ) can put together our own application as we will.

 

[Brymills]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

it smacks of good business sense, you don't waste money and stay in business.

I think what JohnnyWashngo is trying to say is, it likely could have been done in a fully cross-platform for little to no additional cost (money/personal/etc). Not sure if he's completely correct or not, but it very well may be correct since the only cross-platform stuff I've developed has been Java, and that has it's own quirks and issues.

If the cost had actually be very minimal, it might very well have been nice to release it. However, I'm sure some enterprising person will sniff the USB packets and reverse engineer the protocol. Then all of us linux geeks (well, ok, I use Windows for Lightroom. I'm sorry ) can put together our own application as we will.

Which Linux distribution, and what about Android for tablets?

 

[Drizzt321]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

it smacks of good business sense, you don't waste money and stay in business.

I think what JohnnyWashngo is trying to say is, it likely could have been done in a fully cross-platform for little to no additional cost (money/personal/etc). Not sure if he's completely correct or not, but it very well may be correct since the only cross-platform stuff I've developed has been Java, and that has it's own quirks and issues.

If the cost had actually be very minimal, it might very well have been nice to release it. However, I'm sure some enterprising person will sniff the USB packets and reverse engineer the protocol. Then all of us linux geeks (well, ok, I use Windows for Lightroom. I'm sorry ) can put together our own application as we will.

Which Linux distribution, and what about Android for tablets?

That's the great thing of once the protocol is completely reverse engineered, it can be implemented just about anywhere on almost anything that has a USB Host. I wouldn't be surprised if Sigma releases an Android/iOS app for it either, it just makes too much sense so that you can make adjustments in the field easily if you need to.

 

[FunPhotons]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

Well no, says somebody who actually has written cross system software, it's quite difficult and expensive. Have you ever done this, or are you simply giving us your unfounded opinion? That smacks of laziness.

 

[verysimplejason]

^ Do you really expect corporations to code their software to work with Linux, representing a whopping under 2% of computer users? ???

Anyways, if sigma would have had this accessory years ago it would have saved their brand an awful lot of hurt over bad AF!

Well, yes. They could easily have used a cross platform library for writing the application and then it would have worked everywhere. I am tired of companies offering software for Windows and Mac OS alone. It smacks of laziness.

Well no, says somebody who actually has written cross system software, it's quite difficult and expensive. Have you ever done this, or are you simply giving us your unfounded opinion? That smacks of laziness.

+1. If you say do it in Java, that will still entail a lot of work. I've done multi-platform programming and I'd say it's not easy. Even when they say sure it will work, in reality, some codes just doesn't work. I'm now doing some SAP web applications and a lot of patches are being done just to make one code work in another platform. It's still easier to work with few platforms. It's a lot cleaner that way.

 

[mcintoshi]

Forgive my ignorance, but from the description of this USB Dock, I have no idea what this product is, or how it is used. Does it mount onto a lens or something?