Sigma writes:

The latest installment of Sigma Aizu, Japan captures the essence of Sigma’s Aizu factory—the heart of its craftsmanship and identity.

And this is another new promotional video:

Panasonic Lumix S1R II – The REAL Review After 80,000 Shots!

Today deals at Amazon, BHphoto, Adorama, Amazon DE, Amazon UK, Amazon FR, Amazon IT, FotoErhardt DE, FotoKoch DE.
Sigma’s Ambitious Full-Frame Foveon Dreams Look More Uncertain (PetaPixel).
Is Leica Really a Luxury Camera Brand Anymore? (ThePhoBlographer).
Geeky Nerdy tech: Can This Headset Replace an EVF or Flip-Out Screen? 📷 (LUMIX G9II & Goovis Art)
S1rII review at Kitamura

Share rumors here:  this contact box, Signal, Telegram, or contact me via lrumorscameras@gmail.com. Thanks!
Subscribe our social networks here: Facebook page, X.com.

Fotodiox announced new Tilt-Shift L-mount adapters you can get on Amazon (Click here).

7Artisans will soon announce this new AF 24mm f/1.8 L lens.

DClife translated what Sigma CEO Yamaki had to say about the Foveon project:

I don’t think I’ll be able to talk about the “FullFrame X3 Sensor” that everyone is most interested in. The conclusion is that the “FullFrame X3 Sensor” is still under development. It looks like it will take some time to develop. It will be difficult to release the camera this year.

We started the “FullFrame X3 Sensor” project in 2018. The pixel architecture did not work out, so we scrapped the design and decided to design it from scratch in Japan. Unfortunately, we know that the structure of the “Foveon X3 Sensor” used in “Quattro” and “Merrill” cannot be mass-produced in the future. We had to develop new technology. This is about the pixel structure, regardless of the sensor size, such as full size or APS-C. The development is in two stages: the development of the basic structure and the sensor product, and we are still in the “basic structure” development stage.

This is a completely new structural development, so our company alone is not enough, and so we started the project in the form of joint research with Professor Kawato ‘s laboratory at Shizuoka University. We made several prototype sensors, but each time there were design defects and mistakes, and we repeatedly corrected the mistakes, and the problem has been narrowed down considerably. The structural problems are gradually being consolidated, and once this is completed, we will be at the stage of product design of the sensor, so it will take some time.

Also Imaging Resource and Dpreview published an interview with Sigma CEO Yamaki. Here are a couple of interesting points:

Will Smartphones kill the camera market:

I was thinking about this for many years, and eventually I became convinced that there will always be photo enthusiasts, photographers, and camera enthusiasts. They’re still looking for even slightly better quality products, and they’ll never disappear. So I became convinced again that we should focus on product and technology. It’s not that our direction is so different than what we were thinking 12 years ago, but I went through a period of questioning and looking at other markets before deciding this is really what we should do.

The idea behind the Sigma BF:

If you have a camera in your hands, you think, “Maybe I should try to find a nice place, maybe take pictures in London, and share with friends.” The fact that the BF is so stylish makes it easier to bring along anywhere – it’s almost a fashion accessory that makes you want to pick it up.

Sigma BF all metal production with special machines:

Currently, we can make around 200-400 bodies per month. Based on the exciting response from customers, we may need to build another production line system.

Curiosity about the Sigma 300-600mm lens:

The initial starting point was the size, because they wanted it and its case to fit within airline carry-on limits.

About the Foveon development status:

Every time we make a prototype, we find some kind of issues, and every time we find some issues, we fix the problem. And we are now almost at the last stage of the technology development. If everything is done, then we start the product development.