Sigma SA7, so sad

[Paul Howell]

I still a SA7 and 9, both have the yellowing of the viewfinder, the SA9 much worse than the 7, but took the 7 out for hike the other day, just developed the negatives. I really like SA 7 and 9, easy to use, has mirror lock up, exposure bracketing, ok AF for a first generation Sigma AF, good metering. With better quality Sigma glass or M42 lens with an adaptor makes a light weight hiking camera. In the day good reviews, just never had much of a market, biggest draw back was being limited to Sigma glass, no Tamron or Tonkia glass.

 

[AgX]

What makes a/that finder yellow ?

 

[macfred]

I think it's caused by the glue that was used there ...

 

[AgX]

You mean the glue in a cemented group in the eyepiece.

 

[AgX]

I just found this (with photos): shocking

https://www.dpreview.com/forums/thread/2840143

 

[Paul Howell]

When I noticed the yellowing I called Sigma USA, was told that the viewfinder elements are made up of laminated elements, the glue Sigma used is yellowing, affects the entire finder, not just the edges. Others have told me that they were told it is just a haze, and can be polished off. Other option is to use replace the viewfinder of the SA9 with a salvaged viewfinder from a SD9. The SD9 was based on the SA9, the viewfinders are interchangeable, but Sigma used a different process to make the SD9 viewfinders the, the SD 9 viewfinders are not yellowing. I have 2 SD9s, had to salvage parts from one for the other, so I have I a viewfinder, had not had time to make a friction screwdriver to remove the top plate of the SA9 and SD9 to see if I swap the viewfinders out. Other issue is that the SD9 viewfinder being based on the SA9 is full frame 35mm with the focusing screen etched for what Sigma called a sports finder. Not sure if I can separate the focusing screen from the rest of the viewfinder, need to take it apart to see.