Award-winning lens maker Sigma has designed another excellent autofocus SLR camera with the end user in mind. Similar to the Sigma SA-7 but with extras, including greater high-speed functionality, the dial-controlled SA-9 is a full-fledged SLR with a host of advanced features, including four exposure modes, three metering modes, single and continuous autofocus modes, built-in flash with TTL, self-timer, data back, built-in motor drive, LCD information panel, and more. The Sigma SA-9 also has a durable yet lightweight body that ensures great performance under demanding conditions. This kit comes complete with a quality 28-105mm UC-III Sigma AF zoom lens and a handsome Sigma camera bag. Please note that the SA-9 is only compatible with Sigma's SA mount lenses.
One of the camera's strongest features is its high-speed, high-precision autofocus system with hypersonic motor for ultrafast and noiseless operation. Combined with its high-speed shutter capabilities topping out at 1/8,000 of a second, you can accurately capture motion too fast for the human eye to track. For example, this allows you to freeze every drop of water as a dolphin splashes up out of the ocean, plus you can see excellent detail on the dolphin in midair. The SA-9 also offers a high-speed film advance of three frames per second for recording fluid motion--great for sports photography or breaking news events.
The SA-9's autofocus system employs a cross-sensor set at the center of the viewfinder to allow users to choose the point of focus. There are two focus modes for different purposes. In continuous-AF mode, press the shutter halfway and the camera maintains focus on a subject moving at up to 30 miles per hour. It even continuously calculates the distance the subject will cover while the shutter opens and adjusts itself to ensure sharp focus on the moving object when you take the shot. In single-AF mode, pressing the shutter button causes the camera to automatically focus on the subject and open the shutter. The camera signals you when focus is achieved with a light indicator in the viewfinder and an electronic sound.
The intuitive dial controls of the SA-9 offer the ability to go from fully automatic to manual mode with just a few quick adjustments. For manual operation, there is a shutter dial so you can set your shutter speed, either to bulb or anywhere from 1 to 1/8,000 seconds. A command dial controls various settings such as adjusting aperture when in aperture-priority auto mode. The drive dial controls fine adjustment functions, which include continuous shooting, autobracketing, mirror lock-up, and self-timer.
There are three metering modes: eight-segment evaluative metering, center metering, and center-weighted, averaging metering. Eight-segment metering mode divides the image into eight sections, measuring the light separately for each section and calculating an optimum exposure value for the whole scene. Center metering measures only about a 9mm circle in the center of the viewfinder so the photographer can make sure the immediate subject will be exposed correctly, regardless of surrounding light sources. Center-weighted, averaging is the most common form of metering. It measures the center, but also takes the brightness of the surrounding area into consideration.
The camera also boasts a diopter adjustment, preview button to confirm depth of field, midroll rewind, a total of three metering systems, four exposure modes, multiple exposure function for special effects, and integrated flash with red-eye reduction.
Product Description:
The small size and lightweight of SA-9 camera assures maximum maneuverability. This durable camera gives reliable performance, even under harsh and demanding conditions. SA-9 camera is designed to satisfy the demands of a wide variety of users from, ordinary photographers to advanced ones, with its full range of essential functions such as Mirror lock-up, Dioptric Adjustment, Preview Button and more.
Sigma SA-9 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-105mm Lens