Sigma SD1M ... any users out there?

thegman said:
Totally agree, it's so easy to get wrapped up in a fear of obsolescence, or of being left behind. It's liberating to just not worry about what manufacturers are doing, and just worry about what you're doing.

The self-fulfilled prophecy is probably bang on the money too, I wonder how many computer platforms would still be popular if people just got what they wanted and not worried about what manufacturers were doing next.
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This is very true but we also have to consider that Sigma started off asking us for an astronomical figure for their DSLR then renamed it and slashed the price. You have to wonder what was behind this occasionally and are they actually making any money out of the current version or just clearing the shelves ... I prefer to think not but it pays not to be impusive also.
 
Keith said:
This is very true but we also have to consider that Sigma started off asking us for an astronomical figure for their DSLR then renamed it and slashed the price. You have to wonder what was behind this occasionally and are they actually making any money out of the current version or just clearing the shelves ... I prefer to think not but it pays not to be impusive also.
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Sure, yes, we don't know Sigma's motives. But if they are clearing the shelves, and you buy one, is that bad? You'll still be able to get lenses, adaptors etc. It just won't be endorsed by a company any more.

For pros needing service centres etc. I get that, they want company support, fair enough, but for 99% of us, if you're happy with the camera as it stands, then whether it's not being made any more does not make much difference that I can see.
 
thegman said:
Sure, yes, we don't know Sigma's motives. But if they are clearing the shelves, and you buy one, is that bad? You'll still be able to get lenses, adaptors etc. It just won't be endorsed by a company any more.

For pros needing service centres etc. I get that, they want company support, fair enough, but for 99% of us, if you're happy with the camera as it stands, then whether it's not being made any more does not make much difference that I can see.
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I must admit that the image quality the camera now posesses is more than sufficient for almost any needs and I don't really have too much problem with the limited ISO capabilies of the sensor. It's certainly not hampering me with the DP2M and the lens selection in Sigma mount seems more than OK.

If I was a little more confident of my financial future at the moment I'd probably buy one. I still may ... but I'd have to sell some other gear first!
 
Keith said:
I must admit that the image quality the camera now posesses is more than sufficient for almost any needs and I don't really have too much problem with the limited ISO capabilies of the sensor. It's certainly not hampering me with the DP2M and the lens selection in Sigma mount seems more than OK.

If I was a little more confident of my financial future at the moment I'd probably buy one. I still may ... but I'd have to sell some other gear first!
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Fair enough, and I wish you the best regarding your shoulder.

Garry
 
Look for APS-c designated lenses?

Look for APS-c designated lenses?

http://www.lensrentals.com/blog/2013/04/sigma-30mm-f1-4-dc-hsm-vs-sigma-30mm-f1-4-ex-dc

I came across this last night... There are several lenses I spotted at b&h for SA mount that had basically the same lens name, there was only two ways to spot the difference, the older lenses had the gold color band on it and the description did not say "APS-c only".

This writeup shows that for apsc, Sigma fixed some issues w/ corner sharpness for the 30f1.4.

Implies one should look for the apsc only lenses when there are two to choose from.. Sadly there is no discount for the new 30f1.4. 🙁

Gary
 
Keith said:
Please get back to this thread when you've tried the camera with that lens Eric. 🙂

I've been pretty spoiled DSLR wise with my D700 which I generally only use with fast primes. As I would with the Sigma of course!
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Keith,
Will do. I should have the prime Sigma lens in a day or two.
 
The SD1 has taught me (at least for my uses) that so many of the current specs for DSLRs just don't matter. Sure fast image processing, a higher resolution LCD, better higher ISO performance, and a host of other things would be nice to have on the SD1. But the IQ just blows me away - and that is what matters most to me.
 
Keith said:
Please get back to this thread when you've tried the camera with that lens Eric. 🙂

I've been pretty spoiled DSLR wise with my D700 which I generally only use with fast primes. As I would with the Sigma of course!
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Ketih,
My 50mm f/1.4 prime arrived today. As expected the viewfinder is much brighter with this lens compared to the slower zoom lens. It is very satisfactory. However, the viewfinder is about 15% smaller and 10% dimmer than the viewfinder on my Canon 5D Mark II.
I have learned one other thing - the image stabilization on the 18-250mm zoom lens works magnificently. Shots I have taken hand held with the zoom lens are tack sharp. Similar shots with the 50mm prime at same aperture and shutter speed are not. I will need to use a tripod with the 50mm prime.
This weekend I am going to compare the 50mm lens on the SD1 versus the DP3m at same shutter speed and aperture. I saw a similar lest online comparing the DP2m and the 30mm prime. In that test, the 30mm prime didn't fare so well. I think the 50mm prime will be more competitive with the DP3m. I will put both cameras on a tripod for this test.
 
Eric T said:
Ketih,
My 50mm f/1.4 prime arrived today. As expected the viewfinder is much brighter with this lens compared to the slower zoom lens. It is very satisfactory. However, the viewfinder is about 15% smaller and 10% dimmer than the viewfinder on my Canon 5D Mark II.
I have learned one other thing - the image stabilization on the 18-250mm zoom lens works magnificently. Shots I have taken hand held with the zoom lens are tack sharp. Similar shots with the 50mm prime at same aperture and shutter speed are not. I will need to use a tripod with the 50mm prime.
This weekend I am going to compare the 50mm lens on the SD1 versus the DP3m at same shutter speed and aperture. I saw a similar lest online comparing the DP2m and the 30mm prime. In that test, the 30mm prime didn't fare so well. I think the 50mm prime will be more competitive with the DP3m. I will put both cameras on a tripod for this test.
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Thanks Eric ... I'll look forward to the comparison.

Regarding viewfinders ... I guess expecting the SD1M to match these full frame monsters is a bit much and 'satisfactory' seems fair to me.

I used a Nikon D70 for many years and always found the viewfinder to be fine and I would imagine the Sigma would be at least on a par with that camera.
 
Eric

There are two versions of the 30f 1,4. I believe that the earlier one was the one that u saw the test on. The lens rental web site had a test for both versions and the corners were much better in the new version.

Gary
 
GaryLH said:
Eric

There are two versions of the 30f 1,4. I believe that the earlier one was the one that u saw the test on. The lens rental web site had a test for both versions and the corners were much better in the new version.

Gary
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Thanks for the tip on the newer 30mm f/1.4. I'll need to check that you.
If I get another Sigma prime, I think it will be the 35mm.
 
Ordered the sd1m

Ordered the sd1m

I decided to order the refurb'd sd1m w/ the 18-200 kit lens.. At 1899.. Also found a used 10-20 as well. The 30f1.4 I want is currently not on sale, will eventually pick it up along w/ a macro lens.

Thanks everybody for all the info.

Gary
 
GaryLH said:
I decided to order the refurb'd sd1m w/ the 18-200 kit lens.. At 1899.. Also found a used 10-20 as well. The 30f1.4 I want is currently not on sale, will eventually pick it up along w/ a macro lens.
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wow big step Gary! hope you enjoy the camera! what will you do with the DPs?
 
FA Limited said:
wow big step Gary! hope you enjoy the camera! what will you do with the DPs?
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Thanks..

Keep the dpm of course. 😀.

They are lighter and people don't much pay any attention to them. The way I use the dp are different then how I tend to use an slr anyway.

Gary
 
GaryLH said:
I decided to order the refurb'd sd1m w/ the 18-200 kit lens.. At 1899.. Also found a used 10-20 as well. The 30f1.4 I want is currently not on sale, will eventually pick it up along w/ a macro lens.

Thanks everybody for all the info.

Gary
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Wow ... big decision Gary!

When you get it and have had a chance to put it through its paces, I and a lot of others I'm sure, would appreciate a review. 🙂

In the next few days I'm going to lay all my gear out on the floor and have a realistic evaluation of what I really need to keep ... which is tricky because I've never bought anything I didn't really want. I look at cameras like my F6 and Bronica RF645 that haven't been used in a long time and wonder how much I may miss them ... if at all.
 
GaryLH said:
Thanks..

Keep the dpm of course. 😀.

They are lighter and people don't much pay any attention to them. The way I use the dp are different then how I tend to use an slr anyway.

Gary
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I find that I feel more self conscious with the little DPM than I do with my DSLR ... it's almost as though the pro look of the D700 legitimises what I'm doing and I'm not just another chimping tourist. 😀
 
Sure Keith, I will write up an initial impressions.

If it is a choice between f6 and rf645, I would keep the rf645. Medium format b&w is my preferred film choice these days. It s pretty rare I will even think of shooting 35mm theses days.

Gary
 
Keith said:
I find that I feel more self conscious with the little DPM than I do with my DSLR ... it's almost as though the pro look of the D700 legitimises what I'm doing and I'm not just another chimping tourist. 😀
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Lol 😛. p&s I look like any other tourist w/ the dpm. 😀...
Gary
 
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