rlouzan
Well-known
[SIZE=-1]Just what I wanted to hear! 😀[/SIZE]
In praise of the Sigma DP2.1.04
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Matus
Well-known
I also keep my eye on this Foveon thing - well designed camera with improved (there are things to be improved there) it could be the first digital camera I would really LIKE to have ...
--
Well-known
Oh, oh - I did NOTHING :angel:
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Well-known
rlouzan - try to go into Matus' XA shots on flickr - link in his profile. He has actually taken pictures of the two cameras in question.
The GF1 is the camper van.
And the DP2 is that low, impractical red thingy 😉
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Well-known
Totally off topic, but being OP I hope I can derail - that is an impressive set of pictures you have from NZ. That is a place I would not mind seeing too.
Harry Lime
Practitioner
Aside from the paint on the buttons and the power management, are the DP2 and DP2s identical in terms of the actual internal hardware?
Is power management on the DP2s done in software or hardware?
Also, has any one considered using a white paint stick to simply color in the black on black buttons...
thanks
Is power management on the DP2s done in software or hardware?
Also, has any one considered using a white paint stick to simply color in the black on black buttons...
thanks
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Well-known
Not sure about hardware but believe so. A DP2 (no s) is very thirsty.
The black on black buttons is less of a nuisance than one should think.
Eddie90723
Established
The DP2 does and doesn't suck up power. I think it's user based. I've gone out shooting with it all day long shooting raw only, messing with the quickset buttons, and looking over the pics a few times after. Never any trouble. Day shooting at least. Start doing long exposure and watch that battery go before your eyes!
Attachments
--
Well-known
Nice pictures 😀
Based on the slimmest sample base possible (one DP1 and one DP2) I think it is camera based. My DP2 seems more thirsty than my DP1 :bang:
I can get a fair amount of shooting from both cams if, and only if, I turn it off after each exposure. But that obviously takes its toll on the lens - going in and out.
Maybe later DP2 samples were better in this respect. And, judged by early reports, the SD15 seems also to have a better battery performance than the SD14.
Pascal
Member
Thought I would share with this thread.
I have the Sigma DP1 and the Sigma DP2s. I first got the DP1 and was so impressed with the image quality, I ended up buying the DP2s. These are two very different cameras.
My standard SLR is the Nikon D700 with Nikon or Zeiss glass. For the times when I don’t feel like lugging around 30+ lbs of camera gear, the Panasonic GH1 or Olympus EP2 with the 7-14mm, 14-140mm, or 20mm filled the gap nicely. The Micro 4/3rds makes a huge impact both in image quality and size/weight.
I have owned the Canon S90 since it's release and have used it quite a bit. The difference between the Canon’s small sensor and the foveon sensor is clearly visible. I also looked into the X1 which is probably the best there is right now. But at the price point, it is simply not worth it to me. Other compacts have included Fuji, and the Canon G10, G11.
Enter the Sigma compact – a whole different setup. Now my camera fits in my pant pocket and I get slightly better picture quality than I could with the MFT system. The 28mm FOV lens on the S90 is quite good for a P&S and while I liked the 28mm f2.0 lens, the Canon S90 can not hold a candle to the Sigma DP compacts.
The DP1 requires a lot of patience, but the results are well worth it.
Yes it is a bit slow to start up and slow to AF and slow to write.
My camera came with the original firmware version and I updated the firmware from the Sigma site. The update made a huge difference in the overall handling of the camera.
The DP2s is a whole different camera compared to the DP1. It is faster, the lens appears to be more crisp and sharper but given the different focal lengths, its like comparing apples to oranges. Noise at ISO 800 is not an issue and the colors are still good. Up to ISO 1600 is actually usable with minimal noise reduction – especially for B&W. The firmware upgrade for the DP2s said something about improvement at ISO 400 – I have yet to see a difference.
The button setup on the DP1 is different from the DP2s but the latest DP1 firmware permits users to assign specific limited functions to the W and T buttons. I am still getting used to the button layout on the DP1 and DP2s – especially when I find myself switching between the two.
The manual focus option on the Sigma DP compacts is probably the best MF implementation I have used on any small P&S. It actually works and is very helpful for shooting in low light.
The LCD screen could have been a bit better resolution, but is acceptable as is.
Sigma does not provide an option for custom WB setting – by temperature. But other WB options are available and preferred to the AWB setting.
I have not had any big issue with the Green or Magenta tints that I see in other writeups or forums. I use SPP 4.0 for the conversion and post processing. SPP4.0 is very limited but does do the conversions quite well.
The pop up flash is very low power but helpful for fill-in light – that’s about it. If you need to shoot with flash, then you may be better off getting an external flash. I recently ordered the EF-140 and it may arrive by end of the week.
Battery life is not exceptional – but spare Sigma batteries are $20 each and not very expensive. The S90 OEM batteries are $50 a piece.
I would like to get the Sigma viewfinders for both compacts, but the price on these is just way too high.
The Franiec grip is good, but the more expensive Mhoot grip appears to be better. I had the Richard F grip on my S90 but did not bother getting one for the DP compacts. I would prefer the Mhoot grip to the Richard F Grip but at a lower cost.
The 28mm f4.0 lens and 41mm f2.8 lens on both compacts are simply exquisite. Sharp wide open and a good match for both compacts – crisp & clear eye popping color look. I personally would have preferred to have a 24mm f2.8 on the DP1 and 40mm f2.0 on the DP2s, but I guess one can’t have it all.
For now, both the DP1 and DP2s actually fit inside the pouch that would house the Panasonic GH1 and 14-140mm lens. While I am giving up the flexibility of the 14-140mm Panasonic zoom, the image quality and final results from the DP compacts is well worth it.
Perhaps a DP3 with a superb 28mm f2.0 lens and a faster and more responsive camera may place sigma on the top…. but I am not holding my breath.
I have the Sigma DP1 and the Sigma DP2s. I first got the DP1 and was so impressed with the image quality, I ended up buying the DP2s. These are two very different cameras.
My standard SLR is the Nikon D700 with Nikon or Zeiss glass. For the times when I don’t feel like lugging around 30+ lbs of camera gear, the Panasonic GH1 or Olympus EP2 with the 7-14mm, 14-140mm, or 20mm filled the gap nicely. The Micro 4/3rds makes a huge impact both in image quality and size/weight.
I have owned the Canon S90 since it's release and have used it quite a bit. The difference between the Canon’s small sensor and the foveon sensor is clearly visible. I also looked into the X1 which is probably the best there is right now. But at the price point, it is simply not worth it to me. Other compacts have included Fuji, and the Canon G10, G11.
Enter the Sigma compact – a whole different setup. Now my camera fits in my pant pocket and I get slightly better picture quality than I could with the MFT system. The 28mm FOV lens on the S90 is quite good for a P&S and while I liked the 28mm f2.0 lens, the Canon S90 can not hold a candle to the Sigma DP compacts.
The DP1 requires a lot of patience, but the results are well worth it.
Yes it is a bit slow to start up and slow to AF and slow to write.
My camera came with the original firmware version and I updated the firmware from the Sigma site. The update made a huge difference in the overall handling of the camera.
The DP2s is a whole different camera compared to the DP1. It is faster, the lens appears to be more crisp and sharper but given the different focal lengths, its like comparing apples to oranges. Noise at ISO 800 is not an issue and the colors are still good. Up to ISO 1600 is actually usable with minimal noise reduction – especially for B&W. The firmware upgrade for the DP2s said something about improvement at ISO 400 – I have yet to see a difference.
The button setup on the DP1 is different from the DP2s but the latest DP1 firmware permits users to assign specific limited functions to the W and T buttons. I am still getting used to the button layout on the DP1 and DP2s – especially when I find myself switching between the two.
The manual focus option on the Sigma DP compacts is probably the best MF implementation I have used on any small P&S. It actually works and is very helpful for shooting in low light.
The LCD screen could have been a bit better resolution, but is acceptable as is.
Sigma does not provide an option for custom WB setting – by temperature. But other WB options are available and preferred to the AWB setting.
I have not had any big issue with the Green or Magenta tints that I see in other writeups or forums. I use SPP 4.0 for the conversion and post processing. SPP4.0 is very limited but does do the conversions quite well.
The pop up flash is very low power but helpful for fill-in light – that’s about it. If you need to shoot with flash, then you may be better off getting an external flash. I recently ordered the EF-140 and it may arrive by end of the week.
Battery life is not exceptional – but spare Sigma batteries are $20 each and not very expensive. The S90 OEM batteries are $50 a piece.
I would like to get the Sigma viewfinders for both compacts, but the price on these is just way too high.
The Franiec grip is good, but the more expensive Mhoot grip appears to be better. I had the Richard F grip on my S90 but did not bother getting one for the DP compacts. I would prefer the Mhoot grip to the Richard F Grip but at a lower cost.
The 28mm f4.0 lens and 41mm f2.8 lens on both compacts are simply exquisite. Sharp wide open and a good match for both compacts – crisp & clear eye popping color look. I personally would have preferred to have a 24mm f2.8 on the DP1 and 40mm f2.0 on the DP2s, but I guess one can’t have it all.
For now, both the DP1 and DP2s actually fit inside the pouch that would house the Panasonic GH1 and 14-140mm lens. While I am giving up the flexibility of the 14-140mm Panasonic zoom, the image quality and final results from the DP compacts is well worth it.
Perhaps a DP3 with a superb 28mm f2.0 lens and a faster and more responsive camera may place sigma on the top…. but I am not holding my breath.
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rlouzan
Well-known
Do you know of any reputablestores in Europe that sell the Sigma DP2?
Thanks in advance,
RLouzan
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FS: Hand Made Leather Camera Wrist Straps
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...uct/22627/cat/12/limit/recent/date/1248809875
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Thanks in advance,
RLouzan
-----------------------------------------------------------------
FS: Hand Made Leather Camera Wrist Straps
http://www.rangefinderforum.com/pho...uct/22627/cat/12/limit/recent/date/1248809875
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
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Well-known
I bought from this - it is now 20€ cheaper than when I bought it. It is a physical shop too.
http://www.pch.be/en/cameras/compact-digital/sigma
Many of the bigger German, Dutch and British shops do too. In the UK ffordes is very good. Warehouseexpress is also okay.
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Well-known
1200 captures later
1200 captures later
Last week I had the opportunity to put the DP2.1.04 to good use. After a bit more than 1200 additional captures I have a fair idea of how the camera works. I also had the chance to compare it to the Sony NEX 5, and I must say the latter has a brilliant screen and impressive AF. Since the weather was very good and bright (London and Copenhagen) I shot mainly in low ISO.
Quite unusually I only brought one camera and it performed flawlessly.
The Good(s):
a) I had no problems with green colour cast whatsoever (might have happened in high ISO).
b) There is a huge difference in the speed and precision of the AF modes – you get either speed (mountain icon) or precision (no icon). I definitely prefer the precision mode and use manual focus for speed.
c) Speaking of which: the manual mode is brilliant.
d) I got an optical viewfinder – a used 50mm Voigtländer. It is a little too tight in framing of course (an
d quite loose in its fit in the hot shoe) but the clarity is impressive. Surprisingly it takes a bit of time to learn to hold the camera steady when using the viewfinder. Probably a NCIP [nose camera interface problem].
e) Twice did I strut around Canary Wharf with my camera in hand. Either the policy has changed [I did not bother to apply for a permit in the office that is only open two minutes a day and only on the 29th of February in unequal years] or nobody expected me to capture anything of real value with such a small camera. It really is very unintimidating (not always a plus...)
f) IQ (the camera’s) is still top notch.
g) Weight and size (with Franiec’s brain child attached) is perfectly right.
h) The screen is actually quite good outdoors even during summer. Mind you we are talking UK (look right) and DK (look left) sun, but you can still see the screen. I know from experience that in a Southern European sun glare it is useless hence the optical viewfinder.
The Bad(s):
1) Battery life (apparently there are some differences between DP2 cameras) is absolutely unbelievably horribly awfully inadequate – it feels even worse than on my DP1 but I cannot quantify it. I brought three batteries and wish I had more. And the charging is so slow – on par with forming a Belgian Government.
2) Lack of button resistance is still a problem and is even more enhanced when using an optical viewfinder. In order to be able to hear an accidental changing of settings you have to turn up the sound level to max – then when you hold the viewfinder to your eye your eardrums are torn apart (if you are of the iGot generation you probably cannot hear anything).
3) I am not much into video, but it is undeniable that the competition has much better video capabilities (the X1 notwithstanding). If you are into video forget it.
4) AF still is not fast but at least it is noisy. It is fast enough for most things (did I mention how wonderful the implementation of manual focus is…), but it is not fast in year 2010 terms. Still, there is hope that Sigma may improve it further.
The Ugly:
I) Not very useful weapon when angry football fan mistakes you (a Viking) for a German while DP2 is employed in photographing British Pub early on Monday morning – on the plus side when said Viking (unvikingly cowardly) runs away from fight it does not slow you down.
Moral lesson:
If you are a Viking tired of dragging along a DSLR, then bring a DP2. Be wise to bring a “lur” too so that you can defend yourself. You may know a lur from Danish Butter packaging materials. It is the mother of the vuvuzela. Or you may have seen the nice statue of two lur players in front of the Town Hall of Copenhagen. Legend has it they play on the instrument whenever a virgin passes by. If you ever go to capture them lur players, don’t bother bringing earplugs. Unless you use an optical viewfinder…
1200 captures later
Last week I had the opportunity to put the DP2.1.04 to good use. After a bit more than 1200 additional captures I have a fair idea of how the camera works. I also had the chance to compare it to the Sony NEX 5, and I must say the latter has a brilliant screen and impressive AF. Since the weather was very good and bright (London and Copenhagen) I shot mainly in low ISO.
Quite unusually I only brought one camera and it performed flawlessly.
The Good(s):
a) I had no problems with green colour cast whatsoever (might have happened in high ISO).
b) There is a huge difference in the speed and precision of the AF modes – you get either speed (mountain icon) or precision (no icon). I definitely prefer the precision mode and use manual focus for speed.
c) Speaking of which: the manual mode is brilliant.
d) I got an optical viewfinder – a used 50mm Voigtländer. It is a little too tight in framing of course (an
d quite loose in its fit in the hot shoe) but the clarity is impressive. Surprisingly it takes a bit of time to learn to hold the camera steady when using the viewfinder. Probably a NCIP [nose camera interface problem].
e) Twice did I strut around Canary Wharf with my camera in hand. Either the policy has changed [I did not bother to apply for a permit in the office that is only open two minutes a day and only on the 29th of February in unequal years] or nobody expected me to capture anything of real value with such a small camera. It really is very unintimidating (not always a plus...)
f) IQ (the camera’s) is still top notch.
g) Weight and size (with Franiec’s brain child attached) is perfectly right.
h) The screen is actually quite good outdoors even during summer. Mind you we are talking UK (look right) and DK (look left) sun, but you can still see the screen. I know from experience that in a Southern European sun glare it is useless hence the optical viewfinder.
The Bad(s):
1) Battery life (apparently there are some differences between DP2 cameras) is absolutely unbelievably horribly awfully inadequate – it feels even worse than on my DP1 but I cannot quantify it. I brought three batteries and wish I had more. And the charging is so slow – on par with forming a Belgian Government.
2) Lack of button resistance is still a problem and is even more enhanced when using an optical viewfinder. In order to be able to hear an accidental changing of settings you have to turn up the sound level to max – then when you hold the viewfinder to your eye your eardrums are torn apart (if you are of the iGot generation you probably cannot hear anything).
3) I am not much into video, but it is undeniable that the competition has much better video capabilities (the X1 notwithstanding). If you are into video forget it.
4) AF still is not fast but at least it is noisy. It is fast enough for most things (did I mention how wonderful the implementation of manual focus is…), but it is not fast in year 2010 terms. Still, there is hope that Sigma may improve it further.
The Ugly:
I) Not very useful weapon when angry football fan mistakes you (a Viking) for a German while DP2 is employed in photographing British Pub early on Monday morning – on the plus side when said Viking (unvikingly cowardly) runs away from fight it does not slow you down.
Moral lesson:
If you are a Viking tired of dragging along a DSLR, then bring a DP2. Be wise to bring a “lur” too so that you can defend yourself. You may know a lur from Danish Butter packaging materials. It is the mother of the vuvuzela. Or you may have seen the nice statue of two lur players in front of the Town Hall of Copenhagen. Legend has it they play on the instrument whenever a virgin passes by. If you ever go to capture them lur players, don’t bother bringing earplugs. Unless you use an optical viewfinder…
Pascal
Member
A few snapshots with the DP1
A few snapshots with the DP1
I am not sure if I posted this at another thread/forum or not, but here are a few snapshots taken with the DP1 - most are as shot except the B&W which I attempted to convert in SPP.
This is typical graffiti in downtown.
A few snapshots with the DP1
I am not sure if I posted this at another thread/forum or not, but here are a few snapshots taken with the DP1 - most are as shot except the B&W which I attempted to convert in SPP.
This is typical graffiti in downtown.
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--
Well-known
My timeless gift to Leicaphiles
My timeless gift to Leicaphiles
I just returned from ten days in Italy’s blazing sun and since this was the last kind of my “usual” habitats in which I needed to test the DP2 I decided to update this thread.
A while back I started this thread with a series of posts on the DP2 in order to give other RFFs a possibility to learn a bit more on how this box is behaving when used as a rangefinder style camera. I have tried to use a style I would appreciate with some dwelling on the negatives (no pun intended) and hopefully not too much fan boy crooning although I am fond of the Foveon look. The DP series cameras have attracted quite a lot of criticism but also a cult following which, to my eyes, is only rivalled by Ricoh users and of course Leicaphiles. My move towards the DP series started about a year ago after sitting heavily on the fence for a prolonged period when an official dealer dumped DP1-cameras on ebay.de for next to nothing. I quickly came to both hate and love that camera. Although I found the 28mm too wide on many occasions I held back buying a DP2 until the 1.04 firmware improved the AF enough to make it workable. It is now. And thus I summarize the use of the camera in a 13-point evaluation.
1. The lens/sensor delivers beautiful pictures rivalling DLSRs. To me there is a certain Foveon 3D effect. Different from the Zeiss colours and Leica glow it is there – very chrome like.
2. The size/weight ratio is perfect and it is not too intrusive. You certainly do look like a tourist.
3. The size of the camera actually tends to fool even me – sometimes I forget the shallow depth of field at maximum aperture… The somewhat cumbersome (much improved over the DP1) handling is not exactly helping you out here.
4. My usual keeper rate with a DSLR (about 1 in 36) is achieved. The camera generally delivers when you learn how to use it and double check (acoustically) for auto focus achieved.
5. The screen is actually quite good even in the Mediterranean sun. You still need an optical viewfinder, but you can get by composing without with some care. There are not too many digicam sized cameras that allow you to do that.
6. With the hood mounted even very strong side lighting (almost) never causes (ruining) flare.
7. The green cast is not a problem at lowish ISO values in practical shooting situations but may (sometimes) be at higher ISO values.
8. Using high ISO BW raw conversion via Sigma’s software yields surprisingly noise free pictures. It is a great BW camera.
9. It is also like using a film camera! You have to decide whether you want to shoot “general subjects” (AF, low ISO, multi-metering) or “street” (MF, higher ISO, spot/centre weighted metering) before heading out. Changing between these in the heat of the moment is (to me) impossible. A “my mode” that would allow you to pre-select MF/higher ISO/spot metering would do wonders.
10. When using MF the shutter lag is so short it is irrelevant. So with high ISO, BW, and a small aperture it is a great street photography camera (see point 11 though).
11. Even at f2.8 my hands beg for the next iteration of DP-cameras to have vibration reduction. Raising ISO when shooting colour may result in a green colour cast so it normally not advisable. Even a measly two stops improvement from VR would be wonderful. I admit to having shaky hands, but, judged on many a posted picture, so do most people of my age (very old, more than 40).
11.1 I just read in the comments on photographyblog's review of the SD15 that the Foveon sensor is more exposed to shake - perhaps because of the layered layout? The fact that the DP is quite prone to shake compared to other small digicams I had previously thought was a function of the much bigger sensor size. But maybe not. Anybody with info on this please chip in.
12. ###THIS MAY NOT BE THE CASE### As pointed out below by wgerrard it may be that the capacitor just ran out of juice. Quite surprising to me since it has never been the case with the DP1. Thus 12.1 replaces what is now separately written in 12.2. I keep it so that people can understand wgerrard's comments.
12.1 Well, my carefully crafted timeless argument must instead be on the timeless black brick design ;-)
12.2 [[[Most likely incorrect: Regarding the “timeless” in the title of this post: In Italy the camera suddenly locked up and removing and reinserting the battery was the only way out. I did not check the date/time and that was a mistake. For unknown reasons the camera had decided to travel back in time (to the beginning of 2009), so I had to change the capture date stored in the raw files after transferring the files – boohoo! Although LR does automate part of the job it was still a boring chore early in the morning when seeing the results was all that mattered.]]]
13. Change battery when you change a 2 GB card. The battery life is that poor. On the plus side it does not seem to be related to weather conditions. And, mind you, my batteries have been broken in.
The title is not meant to upset anybody. I have great veneration for Leica but basically I am not ready to devote the money needed to buy an M9 (so I have an R-D1s) or an X1 (so I have the DP2.1.04). Because basically the DP2 is good enough. I am not claiming the DP2 is superior to the X1. In fact in ultimate IQ I am pretty sure it is not. And at high ISO I am certain it is not. The X1 is much better. But the ability to get a small camera (and a handful of batteries and then some) with an APS sensor at less than half the price of the X1 makes it the best trade off between price and quality currently – of that I am sure. For me at least. But I reckon many have the same needs I have.
It is bad for Sigma’s business, but unless they market a Foveon based EVIL camera of about the same size I am staying with the DP1 and DP2. But, Sigma, you can make money from me nevertheless. Just release the 90mm f2.8 DP3, please. Photokina 2010 perhaps 😉
/Xpanded
My timeless gift to Leicaphiles
I just returned from ten days in Italy’s blazing sun and since this was the last kind of my “usual” habitats in which I needed to test the DP2 I decided to update this thread.
A while back I started this thread with a series of posts on the DP2 in order to give other RFFs a possibility to learn a bit more on how this box is behaving when used as a rangefinder style camera. I have tried to use a style I would appreciate with some dwelling on the negatives (no pun intended) and hopefully not too much fan boy crooning although I am fond of the Foveon look. The DP series cameras have attracted quite a lot of criticism but also a cult following which, to my eyes, is only rivalled by Ricoh users and of course Leicaphiles. My move towards the DP series started about a year ago after sitting heavily on the fence for a prolonged period when an official dealer dumped DP1-cameras on ebay.de for next to nothing. I quickly came to both hate and love that camera. Although I found the 28mm too wide on many occasions I held back buying a DP2 until the 1.04 firmware improved the AF enough to make it workable. It is now. And thus I summarize the use of the camera in a 13-point evaluation.
1. The lens/sensor delivers beautiful pictures rivalling DLSRs. To me there is a certain Foveon 3D effect. Different from the Zeiss colours and Leica glow it is there – very chrome like.
2. The size/weight ratio is perfect and it is not too intrusive. You certainly do look like a tourist.
3. The size of the camera actually tends to fool even me – sometimes I forget the shallow depth of field at maximum aperture… The somewhat cumbersome (much improved over the DP1) handling is not exactly helping you out here.
4. My usual keeper rate with a DSLR (about 1 in 36) is achieved. The camera generally delivers when you learn how to use it and double check (acoustically) for auto focus achieved.
5. The screen is actually quite good even in the Mediterranean sun. You still need an optical viewfinder, but you can get by composing without with some care. There are not too many digicam sized cameras that allow you to do that.
6. With the hood mounted even very strong side lighting (almost) never causes (ruining) flare.
7. The green cast is not a problem at lowish ISO values in practical shooting situations but may (sometimes) be at higher ISO values.
8. Using high ISO BW raw conversion via Sigma’s software yields surprisingly noise free pictures. It is a great BW camera.
9. It is also like using a film camera! You have to decide whether you want to shoot “general subjects” (AF, low ISO, multi-metering) or “street” (MF, higher ISO, spot/centre weighted metering) before heading out. Changing between these in the heat of the moment is (to me) impossible. A “my mode” that would allow you to pre-select MF/higher ISO/spot metering would do wonders.
10. When using MF the shutter lag is so short it is irrelevant. So with high ISO, BW, and a small aperture it is a great street photography camera (see point 11 though).
11. Even at f2.8 my hands beg for the next iteration of DP-cameras to have vibration reduction. Raising ISO when shooting colour may result in a green colour cast so it normally not advisable. Even a measly two stops improvement from VR would be wonderful. I admit to having shaky hands, but, judged on many a posted picture, so do most people of my age (very old, more than 40).
11.1 I just read in the comments on photographyblog's review of the SD15 that the Foveon sensor is more exposed to shake - perhaps because of the layered layout? The fact that the DP is quite prone to shake compared to other small digicams I had previously thought was a function of the much bigger sensor size. But maybe not. Anybody with info on this please chip in.
12. ###THIS MAY NOT BE THE CASE### As pointed out below by wgerrard it may be that the capacitor just ran out of juice. Quite surprising to me since it has never been the case with the DP1. Thus 12.1 replaces what is now separately written in 12.2. I keep it so that people can understand wgerrard's comments.
12.1 Well, my carefully crafted timeless argument must instead be on the timeless black brick design ;-)
12.2 [[[Most likely incorrect: Regarding the “timeless” in the title of this post: In Italy the camera suddenly locked up and removing and reinserting the battery was the only way out. I did not check the date/time and that was a mistake. For unknown reasons the camera had decided to travel back in time (to the beginning of 2009), so I had to change the capture date stored in the raw files after transferring the files – boohoo! Although LR does automate part of the job it was still a boring chore early in the morning when seeing the results was all that mattered.]]]
13. Change battery when you change a 2 GB card. The battery life is that poor. On the plus side it does not seem to be related to weather conditions. And, mind you, my batteries have been broken in.
The title is not meant to upset anybody. I have great veneration for Leica but basically I am not ready to devote the money needed to buy an M9 (so I have an R-D1s) or an X1 (so I have the DP2.1.04). Because basically the DP2 is good enough. I am not claiming the DP2 is superior to the X1. In fact in ultimate IQ I am pretty sure it is not. And at high ISO I am certain it is not. The X1 is much better. But the ability to get a small camera (and a handful of batteries and then some) with an APS sensor at less than half the price of the X1 makes it the best trade off between price and quality currently – of that I am sure. For me at least. But I reckon many have the same needs I have.
It is bad for Sigma’s business, but unless they market a Foveon based EVIL camera of about the same size I am staying with the DP1 and DP2. But, Sigma, you can make money from me nevertheless. Just release the 90mm f2.8 DP3, please. Photokina 2010 perhaps 😉
/Xpanded
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wgerrard
Veteran
I bought a DP2-S about two weeks ago and agree with the OP.
That said, writing time for RAW files is, roughly, about six seconds.
The LCD isn't much use in the bright sun, but I haven't seen one that is. I bought the Sigma viewfinder. Of all my cameras, it's the only VF I can use wearing sunglasses.
SPP seems to lack a crop and resize tools, or at least I haven't found them. So, I use Apple's Preview. Much quicker than loading PS.
[EDIT: I missed xpanded's post just above this one. We seem to differ about the usability of the LCD in bright sun. Maybe it's down to my eyes. On a "My Mode" setting, I believe you can save one group of settings as "My Settings". That might handle the MF, high ISO, spot meter business, while the default settings are AF, lower ISO and multi-metering. I think the manual, somewhere, warns that the calendar and clock can go wonky if the battery is removed for too long. "Too long" isn't defined, but apparently it isn't very long. Vibration reduction would be lovely. I don't have a read on battery life so far. I was out with the camera a few days ago and shot about 80 images over two hours, starting with a fully charged battery. The camera said the battery was still fully charged. I have noticed that when the camera says the battery is below full strength, it seems to discharge very quickly from that point. Batteries do lose a bit of charge sitting idle for several days.]
That said, writing time for RAW files is, roughly, about six seconds.
The LCD isn't much use in the bright sun, but I haven't seen one that is. I bought the Sigma viewfinder. Of all my cameras, it's the only VF I can use wearing sunglasses.
SPP seems to lack a crop and resize tools, or at least I haven't found them. So, I use Apple's Preview. Much quicker than loading PS.
[EDIT: I missed xpanded's post just above this one. We seem to differ about the usability of the LCD in bright sun. Maybe it's down to my eyes. On a "My Mode" setting, I believe you can save one group of settings as "My Settings". That might handle the MF, high ISO, spot meter business, while the default settings are AF, lower ISO and multi-metering. I think the manual, somewhere, warns that the calendar and clock can go wonky if the battery is removed for too long. "Too long" isn't defined, but apparently it isn't very long. Vibration reduction would be lovely. I don't have a read on battery life so far. I was out with the camera a few days ago and shot about 80 images over two hours, starting with a fully charged battery. The camera said the battery was still fully charged. I have noticed that when the camera says the battery is below full strength, it seems to discharge very quickly from that point. Batteries do lose a bit of charge sitting idle for several days.]
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gho
Well-known
What I really would like to see is something like a DP with tilt-shift lens design, but this is probably never going to happen.
thegman
Veteran
The stars photo is just beautiful.
--
Well-known
My settings
My settings
Very pleased you like it.
CROP: Only crop option I know of in SPP is when printing. Probably not what you are after.
MY MODE: The "My Mode" settings can only be loaded after going into the menu and cannot - to the best of my knowledge - include focusing type. I wish I were wrong on this one, so if anybody knows how to make the "My Mode" including focusing type, please spill the beans. Using the "My Mode" may be marginally faster, it still requires interaction that takes too long time (for me at least) if you want to switch to "street". What I really want is just a setting on the dial between P and film.
WONKY CALENDAR: I (think I) stand corrected. Until it happens again, I think this is what happened to me. It was only coincidental that it locked up at the same time as I started using the camera again. It is indeed a short period then. I will edit above listed post #35 to reflect this. That is "good news" - well, sort of. Never heard it on any other camera though. Not even the DP1. Hm...
My settings
Very pleased you like it.
CROP: Only crop option I know of in SPP is when printing. Probably not what you are after.
MY MODE: The "My Mode" settings can only be loaded after going into the menu and cannot - to the best of my knowledge - include focusing type. I wish I were wrong on this one, so if anybody knows how to make the "My Mode" including focusing type, please spill the beans. Using the "My Mode" may be marginally faster, it still requires interaction that takes too long time (for me at least) if you want to switch to "street". What I really want is just a setting on the dial between P and film.
WONKY CALENDAR: I (think I) stand corrected. Until it happens again, I think this is what happened to me. It was only coincidental that it locked up at the same time as I started using the camera again. It is indeed a short period then. I will edit above listed post #35 to reflect this. That is "good news" - well, sort of. Never heard it on any other camera though. Not even the DP1. Hm...
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