Sigma DP3M - tell me about it

[Peter_S]

I just recently lost my beloved Leica X2. It was modified, without AA filter, and close to perfect in ergonomics and IQ for my work (in the mountains, with gloves, simplicity, etc).
So...time to move on. I had a Sigma DP2 before, and would be interested to venture into 50 or 75mm-ish terrain. Sigma is one option, given the low prices and high resolution (one of my MF camera must go now, so...). 35mm is covered by my T3.

How is the DP3M or DP2M compared to the X2 in AF speed? How is the screen, compared to older DP series? Finally...cold and Merrills? I do not shoot a lot of images in a row, but the X2 held up exceptionally well in cold weather and was good to go whenever needed, and was my main camera for rough environments.

I know the limitations with ISO...not a concern at the moment.

 

[Keith]

Battery limitations and tragically slow write speeds are the PITA of the camera IMO. The AF is ok and similar to my original x100, so livable in the real world if you're patient.

The files from the DP3M are stunning IMO and the lens is a gem so as a photographer's tool it has no peer for the cost. I rate it's output as superior to my current M240 ... particularly when converting to monochrome.

 

[Peter_S]

Thanks, Keith.
I was also looking at the Fuji X series with the 1.2/56mm, more expensive and larger, but more versatile and I could let my currently unused Sonnar C go for that. The DP3 seems a lot more compact and capable for landscpe-orientated work, though.

 

[Keith]

Thanks, Keith.
I was also looking at the Fuji X series with the 1.2/56mm, more expensive and larger, but more versatile and I could let my currently unused Sonnar C go for that. The DP3 seems a lot more compact and capable for landscpe-orientated work, though.

For a fairly deliberate shooting style the DP Merrills are ideal. There is something about the Fuji files that has never really appealed to me ... the Sigma files have a richness or something that defines them and sets them aside from other digicams IMO.

I would never leave the house with my Merrills without at least two or three batteries though! You get used to the shortcomings fairly quickly once you realise the benefits of that amazing sensor! 🙂

 

[GaryLH]

If u need af speed, don't get a Merrill. More people walk away from the Merrill cameras because it is either too slow or they hate spp..

In terms of af speed, I feel it is slightly slower than the original Fuji x100. The new Quattro is twice as fast in terms of af speed. Both the Sony a7 and Panasonic GX7 are faster than the Quattro. The Quattro is around Fuji xp1/xe1 speed or maybe a hair faster at times (depends on the lens mounted on the Fuji)

Since u had a dp2.. First thing to ask yourself, why did u get rid of it? Does the Merrill or Quattro solve the issue that u had.

When it comes to the look.. Nothing IMHO beats a foveon type sensor camera. But it is not a camera for everyone nor should it be your only camera.

I don't own the 56f1.2 from Fuji (I own the 60 macro), I have heard nothing but good things about it. The af speed of the lens af motors affects the overall af performance. The first gen lenses tend to be the slowest (60, 35, 18 in order of slowest to fastest). My xe1 or xp1 w/ the 18-55 zoom has better af then when the 35 is mounted on it.

The newer camera bodies are faster, but the limiting factor is still the af motor on the first gen lenses. The newer 23f1.4 and 56f1.2 are said to be much better in terms of af speed.

Good luck
Gary

 

[VertovSvilova]

I use the DP3 with a kind of 'view camera' mentality (and I still use a 4x5 view camera 🙂) It's the same slow and calculated operation, and viewing the subject matter off of a screen. I don't think that it's the AF slowness that's ever an issue, but the bogging down of the processing that slows the camera more than anything else. But I use it primarily for static subject matter (again, like a view camera.)

imho, for the price you can't beat the IQ (and especially the current discount pricing.) Printing large is no issue at all. The 'crunchiness' that you sometimes see with the Merrill DPx images on the web disappears with prints. It's more a benefit for printing (one normally 'over sharpens' for printing, especially with inkjet on fiber substrates or anything with a textured finish.)

As was already mentioned, the drawbacks are battery power, slow processing, and limited RAW file processing (SPP is as slow as the cameras and I convert only with SPP and do everything else in PS.) Luckily the batteries aren't expensive (and they are the same batteries as the Ricoh GR.) Plus they are small and light.

I personally don't see the slowness of the DP3 as an issue because: 1) I knew that already and was willing to accept it 2) I use it for a specific purpose only

You probably will still need to get an additional 'faster' camera (like a Ricoh GR or Fuji X, etc.) to make up for what the DP3 doesn't offer. It all really depends on your subject matter. But the IQ of the DP3 is really up there and the lens is excellent and perfectly matched with the sensor.

 

[Peter_S]

Thanks for the input!!
I did not really get rid of the DP2, I lost it to the water in Norway and tried an X1.

Any additional input is welcomed, but I have a rough idea now. Any take of the DP3M for portraits? Some samples I have seen look promising. I have film MF for that, but the ability of the camera for portraits would be interesting regardless.

 

[GaryLH]

Bummer...too bad about the dp2 🙁

I have not tried this yet... I don't shoot many true portraits. Until I read this, I would normally not use a dp Merrill or Quattro for portrait work, because it just shows way too much in terms of imperfections that people may not want in their portrait. Anyway, here are some tricks that can be used.

http://x3magazine.com/2013/03/smoother-portraits/

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Some have said the dp3 Merrill is the most accurate in terms of color and wb of the 3 dp Merrill ...btw.

Gary

 

[Keith]

One thing I noticed about the 3M was the performance of the lens ... it's exceptional IMO and appears to be optomised for f2.8 and f4. Portraits are it's real strength.

 

[Michael Markey]

Can`t add much to what has been said .
Have a 2 and a 3.

The 3 is my most used camera , despite its shortcomings .
I use it with a 9cm finder in the hotshoe and shoot sports with it set to manual focus.

I just wish the scale focus was more accurate.

 

[ray*j*gun]

Keith, how are the JPEGs out of the DP3.....I have to upgrade my computer so for a while I would not be able to process RAW files....thanks!!

 

[ray*j*gun]

Some have said the dp3 Merrill is the most accurate in terms of color and wb of the 3 dp Merrill ...btw.

Gary

I was also reading that opinion recently.

 

[Keith]

Keith, how are the JPEGs out of the DP3.....I have to upgrade my computer so for a while I would not be able to process RAW files....thanks!!

The jpegs are pretty ordinary ... particularly at higher ISO's. I've never bothered to shoot anything other than raw based on this so I can't really offer much encouragement there sorry! 😛

As for SPP it's a great piece of software and absolutely makes the raw files sing ... but slow and resource hungry as oft reported. The joy of these Merrills is their IQ so you may want to address that computer issue before getting too involved in the foveon magic. 😀

 

[ray*j*gun]

thanks Keith..... i have the PC equipment but have to build the system... i suppose I'm trying to determine if I should take advantage of the deals on the DP3's right now or wait till the system is built. Thanks!

Ray

 

[Keith]

thanks Keith..... i have the PC equipment but have to build the system... i suppose I'm trying to determine if I should take advantage of the deals on the DP3's right now or wait till the system is built. Thanks!

Ray

May as well get it now IMO. It took me a couple of months to bond with my DPMs and occasionally I wondered why I'd bought the damned things. Now I wouldn't part with them so what I'm suggesting is give yourself a head start on overcoming the user issues. 😛

For what they are currently asking for the Merrills you'd be hard pressed to find anyting that comes close in image quality.

 

[Keith]

By the way ... I'll happily sing the praises of these cameras anytime anyone asks. I'm a Sigma fan boy and drowned in the kool aid some time ago! LOL 😀

 

[ray*j*gun]

Thanks Keith, as you know from some of my earlier PM's to you I have been thinking about one of these for a long time. I believe I will pull the trigger and accept that I am being pulled over to the digital world a bit more than I would have ever thought possible.

Thanks again.

Ray

 

[noimmunity]

Sounds like the OP has already come to a decision, but I'll just add that the DP Merrills are my preferred camera for extended human-powered travel (i.e., hiking) in the alpine backcountry.

The output is incredible for the size, and I think that it is particularly well-suited to landscape with its combo of micro-contrast, high resolution, and corner-to-corner sharpness on the DP2M and 3M.

For longest battery life, I turn off the LCD and use an external VF.

Cold hasn't been problem, but I haven't had them below -20 centigrade.

Use with gloves is possible, as long as you can stay with the Q menu.

 

[Peter_S]

Hi!

I actually ended up getting a Fuji XE-2 with the 56mm + 27mm, since I got a good offer that was hard to decline. The systems fills a gap in my analogue equipment better...but I keep a close eye on the developments of Sigma, I am surely very curious now.