cosmonaut
Well-known
As far as the DP series are they all about equal in image quality or does one stand better. I am intrigued with the DP2. I don't think I would like the focal length of the DP3. Also what is the difference in the DP2 versios?
GaryLH
Veteran
The sensors, digital path and fw functionalities are all the same. There are design differences at the lens level...
I have the dp1 and 2 Merrill. Of the two, I like the dp2 better. Keith has the dp2 and 3. Jon has all three..
These cameras really punch above their cost factor. They are not for everyone, but if your style matches up, then they a great tool in the arsenal.
IMHO it gives the Leica monochrom a run for its money. The tonal range and detail are hard to beat.
Gary
I have the dp1 and 2 Merrill. Of the two, I like the dp2 better. Keith has the dp2 and 3. Jon has all three..
These cameras really punch above their cost factor. They are not for everyone, but if your style matches up, then they a great tool in the arsenal.
IMHO it gives the Leica monochrom a run for its money. The tonal range and detail are hard to beat.
Gary
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
As Gary said I have the 3 and the 2 and I rate the DP2M as the slightly better image producer ... I think it has the better lens. Occasionally the OOF of the 3M looks a little harsh to me and it's not that sharp wide open and appears to be at it's best at about f5.6 
The 45mm equivalent focal length of the 2 is definitely the most versatile and would be the logical choice if you want just the one Merrill.
The 45mm equivalent focal length of the 2 is definitely the most versatile and would be the logical choice if you want just the one Merrill.
GaryLH
Veteran
Btw.. The only way to do the foveon any reall justice is use raw. I shoot raw+Jpg.. Use the jpgs to figure out which ones go thru the raw processing. There are two sw patches that I am aware of that can process the foveon raw files. I think one may have been iridient (not sure, saw it in a post) the other is the sigma sw.
In most cares all u need to do is batch run raw to tiff16 and import into your favorite photo editor. There is the occasional raw that just needs tweaking in sigma sw first though. It is actually not a bad price of sw once u get used to it. Much better than the stuff Fuji and others ship w/ their camera.
Good luck
Gary
In most cares all u need to do is batch run raw to tiff16 and import into your favorite photo editor. There is the occasional raw that just needs tweaking in sigma sw first though. It is actually not a bad price of sw once u get used to it. Much better than the stuff Fuji and others ship w/ their camera.
Good luck
Gary
dfatty
Well-known
the dp2 "merrill" is the latest model, with generally better handling and IQ. i haven't used the earlier models but iirc i've read that the earlier dp2 models are also good, but slower (more frustrating) for handling and not as good IQ, though still very different and good in a foveon way. these are special cameras that require a very deliberate mindset to use, but if you're willing to do that you'll be rewarded with incredible IQ.
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
Actually superior IMO. The MM produces very good monochrome when the operator understands the files and knows how to get the best from them but the Sigma's output in monochrome seems to need very little work in my experience.
I've had several PMs from people wanting to know how I PP my Sigma files to get the look I do ... in truth I do bugger all!
FA Limited
missing in action
to save space, i actually only shoot RAW now because the SPP has very quick "Convert to JPEG" feature which i presume extracts the JPEG built into the RAW.
j.scooter
Veteran
Occasionally the OOF of the 3M looks a little harsh to me and it's not that sharp wide open and appears to be at it's best at about f5.6
Just wanted to add that I haven't experienced any unsharpness wide open with my 3m.
(not sharpened in post)
Keith
The best camera is one that still works!
I set my DP3M up on a tripod and shot a series of images of Brisbane's distant high rise at all apertures. F2.8 was pretty ordinary ... 4 and 5.6 and 8 were all very sharp then detail started to suffer at 11 and 16.
This is subjective though because the detail in a Merrill file at any aperture is a long way ahead of many other digital cameras.
Eric T
Well-known
I have all three. IQ is equally superb on all three. If I had to pick a favorite it would be the DP3m. It is the one I reach for most of the time.
IQ is so good with these cameras, I find that I rarely use the DP2m. If I want the field of view of the DP2m, I often just use the DP1m and crop the image later knowing that the resolution is so high, the cropping won't hurt much.
So the DP3m is used the most, followed by the DP1m.
IQ is so good with these cameras, I find that I rarely use the DP2m. If I want the field of view of the DP2m, I often just use the DP1m and crop the image later knowing that the resolution is so high, the cropping won't hurt much.
So the DP3m is used the most, followed by the DP1m.
j.scooter
Veteran
Very true and the reason I sold my Xpro1 kit very shortly after getting the Sigma.
jonal928
Well-known
I don’t see any rezone to jump on the new Nikon DF bandwagon, unless the F word is 'Foveon' sensor.
I'm going with the "SIGMONSTER DP2 Merrill'. That’s it.
I'm going with the "SIGMONSTER DP2 Merrill'. That’s it.
jonal928
Well-known
P.S.
But, if Sigma will go further ahead, I would like them to give a check on the FUJIFILM 645 ZI concept.
Bigger 'Foveon' sensor with zoom lens in a body size similar (or smaller) to the 645ZI, is all what I want/need.
But, if Sigma will go further ahead, I would like them to give a check on the FUJIFILM 645 ZI concept.
Bigger 'Foveon' sensor with zoom lens in a body size similar (or smaller) to the 645ZI, is all what I want/need.
dfatty
Well-known
a few months ago there had been rumors of a merrill zoom, but i haven't heard anything lately. a merrill zoom similar to the ZI with a 645 sensor - now that would be something! make sure you send in that suggestion to sigma!
)
GaryLH
Veteran
a few months ago there had been rumors of a merrill zoom, but i haven't heard anything lately. a merrill zoom similar to the ZI with a 645 sensor - now that would be something! make sure you send in that suggestion to sigma!
My dream foveon sensor cameras, by relative want level --- GAS would be extremely high
- body and lens design similar to Fuji x series like a xe1 or xp1
- in a Ricoh GR apsc body
- in x100s body
- a dp Merrill based
--- 24 or zoom w/ range from 24-70
Gary
Rogier
Rogier Willems
My dream foveon sensor cameras, by relative want level --- GAS would be extremely high
- body and lens design similar to Fuji x series like a xe1 or xp1
- in a Ricoh GR apsc body
- in x100s body
- a dp Merrill based
--- 24 or zoom w/ range from 24-70
Gary
Oh you forget the most important feature request:
Faster loading speed of RAW images than 20 seconds....
GaryLH
Veteran
Since I don't use preview... I can live w/ slow raw file write time if they would increase the buffer cache size to something like 15 shots. It is rare that I shot more than 2 shots in any sequence.. But there have been maybe a dozen or so times since I have owned the camera (q4 of 2012) that I have maxed out the buffer.
But it would be nice to have a faster write times to the sd card.
Gary
But it would be nice to have a faster write times to the sd card.
Gary
jonal928
Well-known
My dream foveon sensor cameras, by relative want level --- GAS would be extremely high
- body and lens design similar to Fuji x series like a xe1 or xp1
- in a Ricoh GR apsc body
- in x100s body
- a dp Merrill based
--- 24 or zoom w/ range from 24-70
Gary
Gary,
For the moment and because the tide budget (Sigma can't be Canon),
let's stay in Kind of 'Realistic dreamland', yes this is the ward. So, you
have
to give a chance to Merrill Medium (MM) format concept. Leaf shutter in closed circle lens (Zoom), raped in a simple but ragged body,
as with the Merrill and the 645ZI, will be the best of all worlds.
We need a tool to do the job. Let Fuji, Sony and Nikon fight for themselves...
Jeri
Samouraï
Well-known
I own the DP2M and the DP3M. I think the 2 might be the better lens (and size), but I prefer the portrait length and macro abilities of the 3.
Here's an example of the 3's harsh bokeh (imo, not the norm). Chromatic aberrations in the background? I like it anyway. I mostly shoot these cameras for B&W anyway.
Here's an example of the 3's harsh bokeh (imo, not the norm). Chromatic aberrations in the background? I like it anyway. I mostly shoot these cameras for B&W anyway.
cosmonaut
Well-known
I am mostly a landscape shooter I think the DP3 would be to much focal length. As far as performance, focusing, battery life ect are they fairly equal.