During my latest visit to Japan I was lucky enough to be the first journalist who was allowed to independently film at SIGMA’s Art and cinema zoom lenses production factory. I hope you will enjoy this short video, as I was trying to make you guys feel as if you were visiting the factory together with me. It was the beginning of March and my request to visit SIGMA’s factory was answered positively. Shinji Yamaki-san at SIGMA was kind enough to pick me up and travel with me to Aizu where SIGMA’s factory is located. The almost four hour journey was extremely enjoyable, as it gave me a chance to talk and get to know Shinji-san, eat the best soba I ever had, while changing trains and witness how the sunny weather in Tokyo was changing to a white snow blanket as we headed north. Together with Kazuto Yamaki-san At arrival, I was greeted by Kazuto Yamaki-san, SIGMA corporation CEO. For those of you who are not familiar with SIGMA’s history, I’d like to mention that Yamaki-san took over the company during the beginning of 2012, after his father – who founded the company during 1961 – had passed away. During the short presentation I got from Yamaki-san before heading to our joint factory tour, he mentioned that SIGMA is currently employing 1600 people, while 1400 of them are working in the factory I’ve visited. As Yamaki-san stated, SIGMA’s biggest asset is its hard working people. Their level of dedication and care for details was clearly visible throughout my two day visit. I’ll leave you with the images I took, but would like to mention again that my respect goes to the people behind manufacturing the equipment we use! A special thank you to Kazuto Yamaki-san and Shinji Yamaki-san for being responsive and welcoming making this tour possible! Please share with us, if you are interested in seeing more “Behind the Scenes” of companies that are part of our filming industry.

During my recent visit to Japan, I had a chance to talk to Mr. Kazuto Yamaki, Sigma’s CEO, at the company headquarters. My aim was not to concentrate on a specific Sigma product, but rather try and better understand how this industry functions. This interview is the result of this fascinating conversation. I hope you find it informative!  Many lens manufacturers have started to provide us enthusiastic independent film makers with a growing selection of lenses to accommodate our needs when using large sensor cameras. Sigma, Tokina, Sony and Canon, just to name a few, are trying their best to convince us to replace our existing photo lenses with dedicated video counterparts. Speaking of which, expect the competition in the lens field to get even more fierce in the near future! Stay tuned… But back to our interview. I was interested in discussing this topic with Mr. Yamaki, and to hear his opinion regarding the recent CIPA statistics showing an overall decline in lens purchase over the years. Speaking of which… Credit: cipa.jp I was also interested to know if they had an interest in producing a video-capable Sigma mirrorless camera.  While their current line can produce very high-quality photos, the video side of things is neglected altogether as a result of the high volume of data that the Foveon sensor produces and which then has to be processed. Obviously, the opportunity to interview the head of one of the most popular lens manufacturers outside of the usual trade show floor lent itself to a more in-depth talk. I do hope you will find the resulting 11-minute interview informative, and I would also like to thank Mr. Yamaki and his team for dedicating the time for making this interview happen. Here is a rundown of questions asked in this interview: 00:17 – How was it to grow-up in a house with an enthusiastic father? (Mr. Michihiro Yamaki established the company in 1961 and passed away in 2012, at the age of 78). 01:29 – Can you please share with our audience your daily routine? 03:14 – How do you prioritise which mount and lenses to make? 04:01 – How easy was the decision to start making the Art line of high-quality lenses? 05:27 – In the past, Sigma lenses were considered affordable. Then you decided to hit the upper end of the market. What was the reason? 06:53 – In such a crowded market, Sigma is producing a high-quality stills camera that does not offer any video functionality. Why is that? 07:51 – Are you able to keep good sales is a declining market? 09:07 – Why did you decide to produce cine lenses? 09:57 – Where did people go? Why aren’t they buying lenses anymore? 10:26 – What would be your dream zoom lens? Final words: In such a competitive business, I wouldn’t be AT ALL surprised if a Sigma mirrorless camera with high-quality video capabilities were to be announced. Although their current line of photo cameras is aimed at a certain niche, the obvious thing to do would be to step out and explore a market which Sigma can shine at as they have no upper market to protect. When it comes to cine lenses and the likelihood of Sigma expending their new line, a lot will depend on “how well the cine lenses be received by our industry”. As a video shooter, what would be your dream lens? Furthermore, would you like to see a Sigma mirrorless camera hit the video market? Let us know in the comment section below!