A big one has gone, and is that Michihiro was the founder and guide of Sigma from its first day, but unfortunately he has left us.
Sigma has released an official note that I leave you below -via DSLRMagazine-:
«When Michihiro Yamaki founded the Sigma Corporation on September 9, 1961, at the age of 27
Years ago, Sigma was the youngest and smallest of the more than 50 manufacturers of lenses and converters that existed at the time in Japan. His management style and enthusiasm inspired his partners and employees alike, and this was, in large part, what made the SIGMA Corporation a leading brand in the manufacture of lenses.
Yamaki founded Sigma Corporation on September 9, 1961 with the development of the first later lens converter, or "teleconverter." At the time, most photographers believed that a lens converter could only be afocal, the kind that could only be attached to the front of a camera lens, and the 27-year-old optical engineer , put optical theory upside down. Sigma Corporation celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2011 with Mr. Michihuro Yamaki still at the helm of the company.
Throughout his years in the photography industry, Yamaki focused on producing high-quality, high-performance photographic technology at moderate prices. His goal for the company has always been to make a high quality image accessible to all photographers. To this end, he succeeded in growing the Company from a family-owned organization to a leading research provider, developer, manufacturer and service provider of lenses, cameras and flashes. The company is now known as the largest independent manufacturer of interchangeable lenses in the world, currently producing more than 50 lens models that are compatible with most manufacturers, including Sigma, Canon, Sony, Nikon, Olympus, Pentax and Sony. .
In 2008, under the leadership of Mr. Michihuo Yamaki, Sigma Corporation purchased Foveon, a California-based company that is known for the development of the X3 image sensor technology, better known as "Foveon." This patented, three-layer technology in the image sensor captures all RGB primary colors in each pixel arranged in three layers - rather than the Bayer pattern - to deliver excellent high resolution, high definition images with impressive three-dimensional detail and a rich gradation. Last year, the company announced the arrival of the SD1, a revolutionary model, with a 46 megapixel direct image sensor, offering more megapixels than any other digital SLR in 35mm configuration currently on the market. Sigma Corporation continued its theme of addressing gaps in the industry and the needs of photographers, kicking off 2012 with the launch of its new Neo series, digital (DN) from the CSC line for Micro Four Thirds and Sony Montutra E. .
At an event last September in Japan to celebrate the company's 50th anniversary, Michihiro Yamaki took the opportunity to express his gratitude to all who made this success possible.
Michihiro Yamaki spent his entire life in his Company and he loved his job. Many innovations in the industry are due to its influence. Last year, he was honored for his commitment to the photography and imaging industry with the Photokina gold needle or pin. With him we have lost a pioneer of the photographic industry. Sigma employees around the world SIGMA mourn their boss and friend of the company.
In addition, Mr. Yamaki served many other Entities such as: the Japan Photographic Enterprises Association, Japan Machinery Design Center, Japan Optomechatronics Association, Photographic Society of Japan, and Japan Camera Industry Institute. He had been honored with the honors of “Person of the Year” the award from The Photoimaging Manufacturers & Distributors Association (PMDA), and the “Hall of Fame” award from the International Photographic Council (IPC).