Sigma DSLR ... show us your images.

[GaryLH]

Forgot to mention

Your epl5 may have better iq then a sd15. It is still really a sensor w/ only 4.9 million photo sites vs 16 million of the epl5. I would say as a rough estimate the sd15 maybe equivelent to somewhere between a 12-14mp Bayer sensor in overall iq, but the tonal quality and color accuracy should be better.

I went the other way.. I bought a dp2m first followed by the dp1m. I bought the sd1m because I wanted more lens choice. I still have both my dp Merrill cameras even though I have the sd1m. I use the dp2m the most because I like to walk around w/ a lighter setup.

I would get wait a bit.. When the dp2 Quattro ships sometime around summer, used Merrill prices could come down if the Quattro is a success. Sd14/15 prices are probably close to bottom but the really good lenses are the ones that Sigma has released in the last two-three years, especially their "art" series.

There is only one camera that I ever liked that had better overall iq then a sigma Merrill --> Leica monochrom, but I am not willing to pay the price for it. The Quattro in monochrom mode, has potential to be even better.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Oh man, I had my toughts all set on a Fuji X-T1 but when I see those Sigma photo's and colours... I really want knobs for speed and iso and diaphragm. But on the other hand those photo's. Might compromise and get a dp1m. But a sd1m with the 18-35 is soooo tempting.

Get both? 😛

Gary

 

[noimmunity]

Get both? 😛

Gary

You people are dangerous 😉

 

[Keith]

Not to slam the SD1M but a couple of things really stand out about the camera for me:

The AF is very ordinary ... probably behind the D70s Nikon I had about five years ago and the D70 was released in 2004.

The auto white balance is pretty bloody average!

It's not the camera to own if you're expecting the usual DSLR competency as Gary mentioned ... take a burst of shots and you can knit a sweater while the camera writes the files to the CF card! 😀

Need I go on ... not really because it's all about the foveon sensor for me and a body surrounding it that allows manual focus, a range of focal lengths, apertures below the lethargic f2.8 of the DPMs and more sensible shutter speed options for wide open shooting in daylight.

 

[noimmunity]

I'm going to try one out, primarily in order to get a wider perspective on the Merrill sensor.

The 8-16mm and the SD1M body (with an uninspiring 17-50 thrown in) arrive this week, just in time for a vacation trip to Lisbon.

For my purposes (landscape and skyscape), the sluggish handling of the body could be an issue, especially given the lack of live view.

 

[ricnak]

Not to slam the SD1M but a couple of things really stand out about the camera for me:

The AF is very ordinary ... probably behind the D70s Nikon I had about five years ago and the D70 was released in 2004.

The auto white balance is pretty bloody average!

It's not the camera to own if you're expecting the usual DSLR competency as Gary mentioned ... take a burst of shots and you can knit a sweater while the camera writes the files to the CF card! 😀

Need I go on ... not really because it's all about the foveon sensor for me and a body surrounding it that allows manual focus, a range of focal lengths, apertures below the lethargic f2.8 of the DPMs and more sensible shutter speed options for wide open shooting in daylight.

should have got the m9! smiley face....

 

[Keith]

Thanks very much to the mod who has made this thread a sticky! 🙂

 

[GaryLH]

I'm going to try one out, primarily in order to get a wider perspective on the Merrill sensor.

The 8-16mm and the SD1M body (with an uninspiring 17-50 thrown in) arrive this week, just in time for a vacation trip to Lisbon.

For my purposes (landscape and skyscape), the sluggish handling of the body could be an issue, especially given the lack of live view.

About the same as the dp family in terms of cf write and af speed. If the af point is close to previous, it is a bit faster since it is phase detect.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Thanks very much to the mod who has made this thread a sticky! 🙂

Nice..

Gary

 

[Keith]

Nice..

Gary

I think this is the first Merrill colour pic that has made me glad I do shoot colour now and then! 🙂

 

[GaryLH]

You people are dangerous 😉

I should talk... I am bypassing the xt1, waiting on xp2, unless gas gets the better of me. Looking forward to the dp2 Quattro though. For how I use the Fuji gear, already good enough for me.. So I can play el cheapo now and buy on the backside sales...wait for the sensor breakthrough.

From what I have read so far, yes, the Quattro breaks the traditional 1-1-1 RGB foveon design. I really think that Quattro used in monochrom is going to equal if not beat the overall iq of the Leica Monochrom... Not just because of the new sensor, but the third gen digital processor and going from 12 bit to 14 bit raw.. Until reviewers get beta sample cameras in their hands it is just speculation on my part, but given the patent for this is 2005-2007 vintage, they have had this developing in the back burner for a while. I suspect the technology required may have only recently come together..

Gary

 

[noimmunity]

I should talk... I am bypassing the xt1, waiting on xp2, unless gas gets the better of me. Looking forward to the dp2 Quattro though. For how I use the Fuji gear, already good enough for me.. So I can play el cheapo now and buy on the backside sales...wait for the sensor breakthrough.

From what I have read so far, yes, the Quattro breaks the traditional 1-1-1 RGB foveon design. I really think that Quattro used in monochrom is going to equal if not beat the overall iq of the Leica Monochrom... Not just because of the new sensor, but the third gen digital processor and going from 12 bit to 14 bit raw.. Until reviewers get beta sample cameras in their hands it is just speculation on my part, but given the patent for this is 2005-2007 vintage, they have had this developing in the back burner for a while. I suspect the technology required may have only recently come together..

Gary

I'm still reserving judgement on what the Quattro sensor really means, Gary, especially for color. More resolution is unnecessary for me at the moment.

Although I have an SD1M and two lenses for it coming this week, I think I've already pretty much decided that it just doesn't make sense given my creative tasks and limited budget. It's a lot of money to pay just to have super wide perspective on a Merrill sensor, especially given the fact that the size factor basically rules it out as a camera I would actually carry to the places where it would mean the most for me (i.e., way out in the backcountry). I think I'd do much better to fill out my XF lens spread (I'm thinking 12-23-56, 55-200), and bide my time waiting for the XP2 to come out, go down in price, and make my move.

 

[GaryLH]

I actually don't use super wides very often anymore, though I have the 10-20 zoom for it. I wanted faster lenses (f1.4) and longer lenses then 50 (dp3m).. When I used a camera w/ a foveon sensor.

Gary

 

[kuzano]

Again ... Thank You...

Again ... Thank You...

Forgot to mention

Your epl5 may have better iq then a sd15. It is still really a sensor w/ only 4.9 million photo sites vs 16 million of the epl5. I would say as a rough estimate the sd15 maybe equivelent to somewhere between a 12-14mp Bayer sensor in overall iq, but the tonal quality and color accuracy should be better.

I went the other way.. I bought a dp2m first followed by the dp1m. I bought the sd1m because I wanted more lens choice. I still have both my dp Merrill cameras even though I have the sd1m. I use the dp2m the most because I like to walk around w/ a lighter setup.

I would get wait a bit.. When the dp2 Quattro ships sometime around summer, used Merrill prices could come down if the Quattro is a success. Sd14/15 prices are probably close to bottom but the really good lenses are the ones that Sigma has released in the last two-three years, especially their "art" series.

There is only one camera that I ever liked that had better overall iq then a sigma Merrill --> Leica monochrom, but I am not willing to pay the price for it. The Quattro in monochrom mode, has potential to be even better.

Gary

I certainly appreciate the time you took to respond and bring me up to date on the Merrill advancements
.

Perhaps I will shoot the Oly and see what happens on the Quattro, or prices dropping on the SD1.

 

[noimmunity]

I actually don't use super wides very often anymore, though I have the 10-20 zoom for it. I wanted faster lenses (f1.4) and longer lenses then 50 (dp3m).. When I used a camera w/ a foveon sensor.

Gary

I'll agree with the fast lenses in the normal range. That 35 looks awesome, and the new 50 must very good, too. The long lenses are another story. Although there are a few that look spectacular, I have no interest in lugging them around. I get plenty of exercise as it is!

How is the SD1M for doing black&white at ISO3200 or 6400 with a 1.4 lens? (I know it's not your style Gary, so maybe somebody can tell me, or maybe Gary you've read somebody else's experience in that dept?)

 

[noimmunity]

prices dropping on the SD1.

They already have in Europe. But there is certainly more room for reduction when a new model is announced.

 

[GaryLH]

Given the zoom lens u ended up w/ that is already a steal.. The 17-50f2.8 sold separately is not cheap compared to the normal kit lens for that camera (18-200f3.5-6.3). I think if u don't like the 17-50, u should be able to resell it for a reasonable price.

The SD1m in US is selling new between 1600-1800 for body alone depending on where u look. To me Sigma in Europe is so much mo aggressive in their pricing...

Gary

 

[sailor]

Sigma SD14 with Sigma 18-200mm


Valve Tower Talla Reservoir by Elmer Duck, on Flickr

 

[GaryLH]

I'll agree with the fast lenses in the normal range. That 35 looks awesome, and the new 50 must very good, too. The long lenses are another story. Although there are a few that look spectacular, I have no interest in lugging them around. I get plenty of exercise as it is!

How is the SD1M for doing black&white at ISO3200 or 6400 with a 1.4 lens? (I know it's not your style Gary, so maybe somebody can tell me, or maybe Gary you've read somebody else's experience in that dept?)

For me, I don't need to shoot that high of an iso, since the 1.4 is already 2 stops better. Same Merrill sensor so monochrom high iso is about the same, the dp is slightly better mainly because they twited the digital circuit a bit before they release it.

The only time I need high iso is
- under thick canopy of forest
- indoor available light

Keith on the otherhand, shoots a lot of low light stuff.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Sigma SD14 with Sigma 18-200mm


Valve Tower Talla Reservoir by Elmer Duck, on Flickr

Nice
Gary