Sigma updates SD1 firmware and Photo Pro, launches remote control software

Sigma Corp. has today released updated firmware for its flagship Sigma SD1 digital SLR,  an update to its Photo Pro imaging utility, and a new program that brings remote capture capabilities to the SD1.

Sigma SD1 firmware v1.04 brings improvements to accuracy of both evaluative exposure metering and autofocus, as well as better handling of saturation in highlight areas of images. Overall stability of the SD1 has also been addressed, and both the playback and setup menus improved. One final change is to add support for the new remote control software.

Sigma Photo Pro v5.2 brings a new highlight correction function on both Windows and Mac platforms. It also improves stability, and corrects problems with with marking of TIFF or JPEG files after image processing. For the Windows platform only, it also reduces frequency of processing errors. Finally, it adds support on both platforms for the remote control software package.

Perhaps the most interesting news, though, is the release of Sigma Capture Pro 1.0. This new software package is available for both Windows and Macintosh platforms, and enables USB tethered shooting with the Sigma SD1. Features which can be controlled remotely include:

• Shutter

• Exposure mode

• Shutter speed

• Aperture

• ISO sensitivity

• Exposure compensation

• Program shift

• AF mode

• AF point

• Metering mode

• Multiple-frame shooting mode

• Multiple-frame quantity

• Flash mode

• Flash exposure compensation

• Slow sync

• Flash sync mode

• Image size and quality

• White balance

• Color mode

• Color space

• Contrast

• Sharpness

• Saturation

• AF assist lamp

• AF beep

• Up setting

• Extended mode

• Auto rotate

• Timer sound

• RC channel