New Sigma Quattro DP2?

[Keith]

Sigma are definitely on a march to up their game a little at the moment and it will be interesting to see how these new compacts stack up against the opposition's offerings.

I was also very pleasantly surprised when my SA mount 35mm f1.4 'Art' series lens arrived in the mail today ... the build quality is impressive!

 

[FrozenInTime]

It's not exactly pocket sized then:

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140213_635032.html

 

[Samouraï]

So, now we know that the focus button will be nigh impossible to hit without a hand on the lens. I'm not sure how I feel about this camera, now. Looks like 135 panorama, not aps-c. I don't know who will be using this in low-light situations (where size is often important). It's almost as if the Merrill and Quattro should switch sensors or bodies.

Still, awfully cool looking. Those lens hoods are gorgeous. As are the viewfinders and half cases. What cool looking outfits. it's too bad these cameras don't have something wackier than an aps-c inside to match the bodies/accessories. These are big, boisterous cameras for a reason (to trumpet the Foveon tech as something akin to medium format inside a technical camera). But when I can have all of that tech inside a pocketable DP2M...meh.

 

[noimmunity]

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/news/20140213_635032.html

Thanks for the link.

The new model has several new color shooting modes, including "sunset red". Apparently the marketing department has decided that a camera supposedly devoted to "medium format image in a relatively small package" should also sell itself on the merits of its jpegs. 😛 If that helps broaden the market and lower the price point, it's all good.

One nice addition comes in the form of a new electronic level in the LCD. There is also mention of an LCD-off mode designed to be used with the external VF. My DP*Ms already have a feature that turns off the live view but leaves key info on screen. Perhaps this is just a change in nomenclature.

Both dials on the deck are user assignable. 🙂

The new BP-51 battery pack is 1200 mAH at 8.7Wh. Looks to my uneducated eye like it has twice the power of the old Sigma battery. Assuming twice the power on a body that uses much less processing power, it should be possible to get over 300 shots with live view on and double that with live view off. 😎

 

[noimmunity]

So, now we know that the focus button will be nigh impossible to hit without a hand on the lens. I'm not sure how I feel about this camera, now. Looks like 135 panorama, not aps-c. I don't know who will be using this in low-light situations (where size is often important). It's almost as if the Merrill and Quattro should switch sensors or bodies.

Still, awfully cool looking. Those lens hoods are gorgeous. As are the viewfinders and half cases. What cool looking outfits. it's too bad these cameras don't have something wackier than an aps-c inside to match the bodies/accessories. These are big, boisterous cameras for a reason (to trumpet the Foveon tech as something akin to medium format inside a technical camera). But when I can have all of that tech inside a pocketable DP2M...meh.

The physical dimensions might be the deal breaker for me (still waiting on IQ of course), given the very specific constraints on which I rely.

But I don't get what the problem is with APS-C in these kind of cameras? The final product as you know just based on the Merrills rivals current FF bayer sensors. Is this a DOF fetish? Bragging rights?

 

[Keith]

This is worth a look ... I stole a few images from the Sigma site and created a slideshow. 🙂 LINK

It is a remarkable looking camera IMO ... it will sell on it's styling which is something you can't really say about the Merrills. 🙂

 

[Keith]

Actually that slideshow has a very annoying banner ad ... bloody photobucket!

Here's all the pics ... it's a sexy beast! 🙂

 

[noimmunity]

What's the point of vents on the hood when there's no OVF?

Don't tell me there is blockage when used with the external EVF 😱

 

[nongfuspring]

What's the point of vents on the hood when there's no OVF?

Here's the OVF, looks pretty good too:

 

[Spanik]

Design looks fine to me but I'm missing a 35mm eq lens in the line-up.

 

[btgc]

Design looks fine to me but I'm missing a 35mm eq lens in the line-up.

DP series with 35mm would be half empty glass, in my opinion. With current focal lengths backed by Foveon they hit nails exactly in points to offer real alternative.

I realize there are photographers who favour 35mm FOV...but staying in comfort zone means one could also just stay with Bayer tech? I'm pretty sure each 35mm lover is latent 28mm or 43mm adept, just isn't aware of it 🙂

 

[burancap]

Design looks fine to me but I'm missing a 35mm eq lens in the line-up.

No 35, but a crop (if you don't mind) of a DP1 will still slay most other true 35's.

 

[noimmunity]

Here's the OVF, looks pretty good too:

Actually, my question had nothing to do with the external VF.

I'd like to know what purpose other than aesthetic vents on the lens hood could serve?

 

[btgc]

I'd like to know what purpose other than aesthetic vents on the lens hood could serve?

Help to cool high performance lens and boost experience index 😀

 

[noimmunity]

Help to cool high performance lens and boost experience index 😀

First there was the speedbooster, now there is the exhaust boost port!

 

[Spanik]

I'm pretty sure each 35mm lover is latent 28mm or 43mm adept, just isn't aware of it

After 15 years with nothing but a 50 and 28 (and a 135 that took 2 photo's), I'm not going back. I'd like to try out a Foveon but if I don't pursue that direction then ending up with a camera that could at least see some useful work would be a plus. I really like my wides wider and my longs longer. For the 6x4.5 the setup is normally 35/55/150.

Cropping is too much work. 😛

 

[Samouraï]

The physical dimensions might be the deal breaker for me (still waiting on IQ of course), given the very specific constraints on which I rely.

But I don't get what the problem is with APS-C in these kind of cameras? The final product as you know just based on the Merrills rivals current FF bayer sensors. Is this a DOF fetish? Bragging rights?

Nothing against aps-c, I just prefer a larger sensor. It's not so much DoF, but rather the way certain lengths behave (I prefer a 50mm lens on my APS-C, 135 and 120 cameras). It's not about fov for me.

But the reason I was knocking aps-c is that it's not a very exotic sensor size, while these new Quattro bodies are extremely exotic. I can't imagine why they need to be so big when the sensor is less power hungry/processor intensive than the Merrills. Form doesn't follow function and all that. Still I think it's gorgeous, and I want one. But I can't see myself lugging it around on vacation in a large city, or even just doing a bit of street photography in my town. Or even snapshots at a birthday dinner.

 

[btgc]

Those large..no, wide? bodies look like Oly XA series (and similar) with side flash attached. I wouldn't mind larger camera for a cost of more beefier battery, just don't go up to DSLR dimensions.

 

[xayraa33]

That is one odd looking camera, I can't imagine it would be that that "great feeling" in the hand.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wOLfIJgSjRk

 

[noimmunity]

It's much thinner than the DP*Ms. And while size is entirely subjectively, I don't see how this svelte body qualifies as something bulky enough to require "lugging".

Note that the weight of the DP2Q is on par with the DP2M.

I wonder if the next iteration will be called "DP Too Cute"? Perhaps a Japan-only model with a special Totoro mode 😛