Sigma SA-9 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-105mm Lens

by Sigma

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 10 x 5.5 x 7 inches ; 1 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 5 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• ASIN: B00005LKXS
• Average Customer Review: 4.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (14 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #40,941 in Camera & Photo (See Top 100 in Camera & Photo)
• Date first available at Amazon.com: June 18, 2001

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

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.

From the Manufacturer

This dial-controlled model has more features for the money than just about any other AF SLR we can think of".

"But we think the best thing about the SA9 is its huge selection of affordable Sigma SA-mount autofocus optics, each with a built-in focusing motor. Lenses range from 8mm f4 circular fish-eye to an 800mm f5.6 Apo Super telephoto.

Lightweight, compact body
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.

Easy to use dial controls
The command dial surrounds near the shutter button and allows the setting of various functions, when used in conjunction with other dials or buttons such as the Function Button, Metering Mode Button, or AF Mode Button. Since complicated settings can be easily made with these dial controls, the photographer can concentrate on picture composition.

AF Cross Sensor assures precise Autofocus
Photographer can easily set the point of focus on any selected part of a subject while looking through the viewfinder. The AF Cross Sensor, which is located in the center area of the viewfinder, is the most advantageous operation system due to its excellent tracking capability and its ability to focus on a multitude of subject types.

Super High Shutter Speed 1/8000 second
The SA-9 employs a shutter dial that can be set from 1 to 1/8000 seconds high shutter speed. Furthermore, it is possible to adjust the shutter speed between 2seconds and 30seconds by using LT button. High-speed film advance rate of 3 frames per second allows capturing the fluid action of moving subjects in an extremely short period.

Settings by Drive Dial and Mode Selector
The drive dial can be used as the main switch for the camera, and also for fine adjustments when taking pictures. Simply turning the "Drive Dial" easily engages mirror lock up for minimizing vibration due to mirror movement, or activates Self-timer function to 2 or 10 seconds delay. It is also possible to set Auto Bracketing by the "Drive Dial". Using the "Mode Selector" together with "Drive Dial" can set exposure mode smoothly.

Internal Lens Motor (HSM-equip) for super fast, noiseless autofocus operation
An AF internal lens motor drive provides the best performance for AF operation of a lens. Thus, AF internal lens motor drive of the Sigma system ensures ideal focusing operation for more than 40 different types of Sigma lenses including hypersonic motor (HSM) lenses. Use of Sigma lenses equipped with a hypersonic motor (HSM) ensures high speed focusing with minimal operating sound. The continuous AF Mode lets enables the photographer to capture a moving subject in sharp focus. This ensures optimum focus when taking pictures of moving subjects moving towards or away from you at constant speed. It will latch onto subjects between infinity and 26.4 feet (8 meters) moving as quickly as 30 miles per hour (50 kilometers per hour), up from 25 miles per hour (42 kilometers per hour).

Accessory ELECTRONIC FLASH EF-500 SUPER
By combining the SA-9's built-in flash with the optional Electronic Flash EF-500 Super, you can operate the flash away from the camera by wireless control, without having to connect a cable between the flash and hot shoe and the TTL auto function still controls light intensity for correct exposure. Additionally, this combination can be used not only for ordinary front curtain synch-flash shooting, but also rear-curtain sync-flash shooting. The rear-curtain synch function is especially useful in slow synch photography of moving subjects.

Other Features

• In order to see the composition through viewfinder clearly is possible to adjust the viewfinder Diopter adjustment over a range of +/- 1.5 Diopt
• 3 Metering Systems (8-Segment Evaluative Metering, Area Metering, Average Metering)
• Preview Function to confirm depth of field
• Guide Number 40ft (12m) ISO 100 for built-in flash
• Multiple Exposure function, for up to nine exposures for special effects
• 3-channel wireless remote control RS-21 (Optional) available

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

33 of 33 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Camera at a Great Price!, January 30, 2002

By 

"wxmanron" (Friendswood, Texas USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma SA-9 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-105mm Lens (Electronics)

To say this camera is loaded with features would be an understatement. It has all of the standard features included in the big four SLR cameras. It also has a few only included in their top-of-the-line (pricey) cameras. Other features not found on every camera include mirror lockup - for increased sharpness in macro photography or when using long lenses. A depth of field preview button, MIA from a number of cameras for a while, but I'm glad to see it making a comeback. Also found on the SA-9 and making a general comeback is a multiple exposure setting that allows you to expose a single frame multiple times -up to 9 separate times on the SA-9. A viewfinder diopter adjustment that allows you to adjust the viewfinder for your vision. The self timer has setting for either a two or ten second delay - useful for long exposures if you're not using a remote cable. Speaking of remote cables, forget about it with this camera. You can get an optional...3-channel wireless remote control. Metering is via an 8 segment evaluative meter and you are given a choice of 8 segment metering, average metering (center weighted), and center area metering (spot metering). The metering mode is controlled via a button on the left side of the camera and the control dial which surrounds the shutter release button.

I did have to really do some digging to get more information on this camera, but most of the major camera magazines and several websites have reviewed this camera very positively. It is definitely worth a little research time to save several hundred dollars on a quality camera. This camera feels great in the hand and takes great pictures! What more could someone ask for?

Okay, a couple of negatives. Autofocus is not super-fast, but since I am not taking magazine cover shots, no problem. Another issue I considered was lens availability since the Sigma SA-9 only uses Sigma lenses. Well, I decided since they make quite good lenses, I could live with this limitation. Not to mention, it keeps me off the auction sites buying a lens every other day.

Overall, GREAT camera at a GREAT price...and couldn't be happier. Buy it and enjoy, you won't be sorry.

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Lots of Bang for Your Buck, December 12, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Sigma SA-9 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-105mm Lens (Electronics)

Cameras as with most things are all about how much you want to spend. Thankfully, when researching cameras I came across the SA-9. It's an affordable quality camera with simple operation.
I couldn't be any more happy with this camera.

Although, Sigma has long been a company known for making quality lenses; they are relatively new to the camera business and therefore have competitively priced their cameras. The SA-9 has features that are similar or better than some cameras $$$ or more. This camera is capable of much more than point and shoot. Please if you buy this camera be sure to skim through the manual (as I 'finally' did) and you will soon discover how easy the many extra features are to use. I hope that makes sense to you. Anyways, multiple exposure, continuous auto-focusing, and autobracketing functions are all very simple and quick to access. The camera offers fully programmable and manual operation, however the best part is the convenient aperture priority and shutterspeed 'priority' modes. This allows manual configuration of one while the other is automatically configured. The 28-105mm lens which came with the camera is well suited for a variety of shots. If however you want to buy extra lenses, you'll probably have to buy them off the internet, as most stores don't carry lenses with sigma's sa mount. But, sigma definitely has plenty to choose from seeing how they are a lens manuracturer. Also, one last thing.. I would like to recommend the remote control which unfortunately comes separately. I hope this helps.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best overall value for an slr, March 27, 2002

By 

"grajmahal" (Menomonee Falls, WI United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Sigma SA-9 35mm SLR Camera Kit w/ 28-105mm Lens (Electronics)

After doing a lot of research in trying to find the perfect entry level slr- I decided to go with this camera. The only thing that makes this camera entry level is the price. As far as features go- it is in a higher class. Despite it's large variety of features, I found this camera extremely easy to operate. It is a very cut and dry layout- and considering my overall lack of knowledge when it comes to manual exposure settings- I have found that this camera makes the whole process much easier than I would have originally thought. I think Sigma did a real good job with the users manual- one thing I thought that might be lacking on this. Sigma to most people is a "chance" buy- mostly because you are limited to purchasing only Sigma lenses, as well as Sigma Flash units. But how many people buy every single lense available for Nikon, or Canon? Sigma currently has 40 very good lenses for the SA-9, as well as 2 real good flash units, one of which can be used wirelessly. For Amateur photographers that want to save some money- you can't go wrong with this camera.