To our Sigma family and friends,
It’s with great sadness that we announce the passing of our beloved founder and CEO Michihiro Yamaki. He died of liver cancer in Tokyo, Japan, on Jan. 18.
In his 78 years, Mr. Yamaki made several significant contributions to the photo imaging industry. There are too many to count, but one of his first led to the creation of Sigma Corporation. At the age of 27, when most believed that converters could only be placed at the front of a lens, this young optical engineer took the industry by storm by developing the first-ever rear attached lens converter. More than 50 years later, we’re still celebrating – and benefitting from – his incredible foresight and ingenuity.
Mr. Yamaki was extremely passionate about photography and producing high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. He endeavored – and succeeded – in making Sigma the leader in image quality. We will continue on the innovative path that this photographic pioneer has paved for us, and we will work tirelessly to honor his memory in the unrivaled lenses, cameras and flashes we will continue to produce.
Please join us in remembering this wonderful, visionary man. Our thoughts are with the Yamaki family and our entire Sigma family around the world.
Yours truly,
Mark Amir-Hamzeh
President, Sigma Corporation of America
