Michihiro Yamaki of Sigma being presented with the Golden Photokina pin by Oliver P. Kuhrt, Executive Vice President of Koelnmesse GmbH, on the opening day of the CP+ Camera and Photo Imaging Show in Yokohama, Japan, last February 9th (photo courtesy Sigma).
A pioneer of the photo industry has died. Mr. Michihiro Yamaki, founder of Sigma Corporation and its longtime Chairman and CEO, passed away on January 18th. Michihiro Yamaki began working in the optical industry while still a student, and started Sigma when he was just 28 years old.
The heart and soul of Sigma Corporation for many years, he was passionately interested in photography. In the last years of his life he was shown great appreciation throughout the industry, awarded Person of the Year from The PhotoImaging Manufacturers and Distributors Association, the Hall of Fame award from the United Nations, and, at the CP+ photographic show in Japan, the Golden Photokina Pin from Photokina—its highest honor.
Our respects and condolences to his family and all those who knew or worked with Mr. Yamaki.
Mike
(Thanks to Jim Kofron)
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Original contents copyright 2011 by Michael C. Johnston and/or the bylined author. All Rights Reserved.
I had the great fortune to meet Michihiro a few times (even going on a photo shoot with him once). Passionate is apt description. He was very knowledgeable as well---it was fascinating to hear stories from him.
Rest in peace.
Jim
Posted by: Jim Kofron | Friday, 27 January 2012 at 10:13 AM
Some years ago I had the oportunity to meet Mr. Carver Mead, one of the founders of Foveon and more important, one of the scientist that developed the standars and tools that made VLSI chips possible. We invited him to our University for a talk on modern physics education in engineering. At the end, he spent about half hour talking about the Foveon chip and the relationship of his company with Sigma. He had only excellent words when he refered to Mr. Michihiro Yamaki, telling us that they had found the best possible partner in Japan, being very passionate and a top collaborator in bussines and in the scientific developments that the Foveon chip still required. I wish the best to Sigma now that it lost his father.
Posted by: Marcelo Guarini | Saturday, 28 January 2012 at 07:33 PM
RIP
Posted by: Ivan | Friday, 10 February 2012 at 07:54 PM