Sigma DSLR ... show us your images.

[Keith]

Do you think the faults are of Sigma's doing or does the sensor also contribute to these...?

Must admit since seeing what Keith has posted from the SD1M, I asked my local camera shop to find a demo version to try out.

The sensor's faults are well known and not really an issue IMO ... to me they're characteristics rather than faults. As for the DSLR itself ... the AF is pretty flakey and the viewfinder is well behind the one on my D700. The rest of the problems like slow write times and the fact that the camera virtually freezes while writing to the card, not allowing access to the menu, was known to me before I bought it. I don't need a camera to be perfect in the way it works ... especially when it has the IQ we see from it.

The foveon sensor has a fairly steep learning curve IMO ... I realise that people like what I'm producing from it but I can assure you it's no 'gimme!' It takes some patience and understanding to get it's best. 🙂

 

[GaryLH]

Do you think the faults are of Sigma's doing or does the sensor also contribute to these...?

Must admit since seeing what Keith has posted from the SD1M, I asked my local camera shop to find a demo version to try out.

The pics u are seeing on the web does not reveal everything that can be seen. A raw to tiff16 converted file is over 80mb of data that really shows a ton of subtle information.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Strangely the $399.00 50mm f1.4 ... old version. I read some indifferent reports about this lens but I really like it and the 75mm equivalent focal lenth has grown on me. My best pics with the SD1M so far have defintely been with this lens.

It certainly doesn't have the build quality of the 'Art' lenses and the manual focus ring has poor feel but for the price it's amazing IMO!

I have the same lens... My default lens has been the 17-70f2.8-4, I need to start going out more w/ the 30f1.4.

I must say that the last set of portraits were very nice as well.

Gary

 

[rodt16s]

Thanks Keith, Gary...
I can do Quirky, but erring on frustrating then I have a low tolerance, hopefully I'll get to take one for a spin in the near future.

 

[GaryLH]

Sigma has pretty agressive sales in Europe compared to US. Both Keith and I tested the foveon waters first w/ a dp2 Merrill. I know of at least one European rff member (Jarski if I remember correctly) using the sd15.

The prior generation sensor may not have any many photo sites, but they have a creamy smooth look to the images that do not show up in the Merrill family.

The new Quattro family sensor that was recently announced (shipping maybe summer), is a different design then the Merrill family.. I am hoping that when u put this camera in low quality mode (5 million photo sites 1-1-1 on RGB), that one can get better high iso and get that creamy look of the pre-Merrill cameras.. A sd version of the Quattro has not been announced yet. I am sorely tempted to test the waters w/ the dp2 Quattro so i can't wait for summer to get here 🙂

Good luck w/ your try of the camera. Of the prime lenses available, the 35f1.4 art is supposed to be the best, but also pretty expensive. The matched lens to sensor designs of the dp family is always going to produce the best image results, but that to me is not the whole story.. Sd family versatility plays a big role on why I also own the sd1m.

There is a rumor about a mirrorless version eventually coming out from Sigma, but I don't expect to hear anything about it until photokina in q4..

Af speed and write times are slow, but that is nature of the beast since u are processing around 55 mb or more of digital data (greater then I suspect the Sony a7r is processing). The sd1m is slightly faster then the dp Merrill family since it uses phase detect instead on contrast.. The sd1m to me feels like between Nikon d200 to 300 af performance, not close to current standards.

The new Quattro has improved the performance of the complete digital path, so the new dp series should be faster overall. Can't wait to get my hands on one 😛

Good luck
Gary

 

[Kent]

I used to have an SD9 and an SD10 and I used to call them "divas". 😉
They wanted to be pampered, but the Foveon sensor paid it back if you promised him not to betray him with CCDs oder CMOS sensors. LOL

After a while I got rid of the two, because their capriciousness started to annoy me.

Today, I only have a Foveon in two Polaroid x530 (a much underrated cam of its time, I still think) and one in my DP1s - a cam I really like, even today.

 

[GaryLH]

I would love to c some shots from those x530s or the order sd9/10. I can't remember if I have seen any off the top right now.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

Overlooking Baker Beach area. SD1 - 12-24 zoom at 12mm

Gary

 

[jarski]

GaryLH nice beach view. I remember you had 10-20 3.5 earlier? am still using it when needing wide lens.

 

[GaryLH]

Thanks..

I still have it for the times I need a bit wider... After using the 10-20, I found that I needed to be at least at 24 on the long end to keep it on my camera a lot plus the 12-24 is a bit sharper. I know the difference between 20 and 24 is not much, but I naturally think in 21-24-36 in wide angles..

Gary

 

[darya151]

I like the smooth, creaminess of black and white photographs that the SD15 yields. I mostly do documentary work, stories of people. Am I nuts to consider this camera? I have an EM5 for speed and its very good - but its atmospheric shots I crave. Super sharp doesn't always appeal to me. I'd appreciate any insights about use of a foveon camera for documentary work. I really like the work being done with these cameras.
Many thanks,
Darya

 

[jarski]

I like the smooth, creaminess of black and white photographs that the SD15 yields. I mostly do documentary work, stories of people. Am I nuts to consider this camera? ...

if you don't mind SLR size&weight body, and lower resolution than SD1, its pretty good deal in today's prices IMO.

 

[GaryLH]

One of the characteristics that is missing in the new Merrill based sensors is that creamy look which I am hoping comes back w/ the new Quattro designed foveon design when shooting low res 5:5:5 mp mode which I hope can emulate the look of the dp2s/x or sd15.

Otherwise, I will be extremely tempted to add a sd15 or dp2s/x to me collection because I really like that creamy b&w that much.

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

SD1m w/ 17-70 zoom

Easter Sunday walk around Briones

Gary

 

[Keith]

Having checked the new firmware update it apparently relates to auto focus reliability. I have noticed with my camera that occasionally in spite of locking on to to a point and giving you focus confirmation it has actually focussed beyond that point.

When I get around to updating my SD1M I'll be curious to see if there is any improvement.

 

[Keith]

Anyway time for some more images from this fabulous, quirky camera ... it goes everywhere with me now along with the 50mm f1.4 and the 18-35 f1.8 ART which I rate as the best DSLR/SLR lens I've ever used with a build quality to match anything I own.

 

[lynnb]

Keith you are producing beautiful pictures with your SD1M and Sigma lenses. Gary, I like your colour photographs as well. I have always been impressed with the Merrill sensor's capabilities - in capable hands, of course.

 

[Keith]

Keith you are producing beautiful pictures with your SD1M and Sigma lenses. Gary, I like your colour photographs as well. I have always been impressed with the Merrill sensor's capabilities - in capable hands, of course.

Thanks Lynn ... I hope you're getting along with your DF equally well. 🙂

The funny thing about the SD1M is that I'm very casual with it and don't baby it at all. I don't hesitate to pick it up at work with greasy hands and it gets banged around in the little Domke bag it lives in a fair bit when I'm on the move.

Lets face it ... it has bugger all resale value and Sigma seem destined to replace/update it with the new Quattro technology so no point in keeping it looking unsullied ... which is something I have done with most new cameras I've bought.

I'm off to Toowoomba this weekend to photograph a classic motocross meeting .... the action shots will be the territory of the D700 and I figure I'll use the Merrill for the human interest stuff in the pits etc which will probably end up as black and whites.

 

[GaryLH]

Thanks Lynn

Keith has a lot better eye then I do..

Gary

 

[GaryLH]

SD1M w/ 70f2.8 Macro

Gary