Sigma Corporation of America announces the release of Sigma Photo Pro 5.5 software

RONKONKOMA, N.Y. --(Business Wire)--

Sigma Corporation of America a leading researcher, developer, manufacturer and service provider of some of the world's most impressive lines of lenses, cameras and flashes, is pleased to introduce Sigma Photo Pro 5.5 software, which includes upgrades and updates for both Mac and Windows platforms, as well as a new Monochrome Mode processing interface. This updated software is now available for download for both Mac and Windows operating systems.

The new Monochrome Mode will feature several new functions, including a channel-mixing palette, which allows users to control the level of red, green and blue within an image for better tonal separation and contrast. A new grain palette feature will allow users to add or reduce the size and strength of grain within an image, producing a texture and dimensin similar to that found in film photography. Paired with the Sigma cameras' Foveon sensor, Monochrome Mode brings out the true potential of black and white images with great detail, sharpness, contrast and tonality. Foveon X3 image sensor technology allows the camera design to bypass the need for an anti-aliasing filter, which causes image blur, as well as a color filter array which reduces image sharpness.

"Black and white photography is becoming increasingly popular, and the Monochrome Mode, paired with the strength of the Foveon sensor, truly takes black and white photography to the next level," said Mark Amir-Hamzeh, president of Sigma Corporation of America. "With an entirely new processing pipeline for monochrome images, Sigma users will be able to truly take advantage of the Foveon sensor with Monochrome Mode, which we believe will set even higher standards for our Sigma camera line."

Changes to the updated Sigma Photo Pro 5.5 software include:

Design change for fringing reduction
Updated adjustment settings: Selecting "Auto" chooses the appropriate preset value for the color mode (only compatible with the data of the SD1, SD1 Merrill, DP1 Merrill, DP2 Merrill, DP3 Merrill)
Ensures TIFF files save completely
Added Monochrome Mode interface (only compatible with the RAW data from SD1, SD1 Merrill, DP1 Merrill, DP2 Merrill, DP3 Merrill)
Ensures color consistency on Macs when viewing X3 files in SPP compared to the same file in JPEG opened with the default Mac preview mode
Ensures SPP reflects the data of the latest lenses on Windows

To download the latest Sigma PhotoPro software, visit http://www.sigmaphoto.com/service-support/product-software. For information about Sigma Corporation of America, visit www.sigmaphoto.com.

About Sigma Corporation

For more than 50 years, Sigma Corporation's expertise and innovation has driven the company's core philosophy of "knowledge, plus experience, plus imagination," with an emphasis on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology. This family-owned organization is the largest, independent SLR lens manufacturer in the world, producing more than 50 lenses that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon (News - Alert), Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Panasonic and Pentax. Sigma Corporation also produces digital SLR cameras and high-definition digital compact cameras. The company is headquartered in Japan, with offices strategically located throughout Europe, Asia and North America. For information, please visit www.sigmaphoto.com.