Sigma SD1M ... any users out there?

GaryLH said:
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
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Those two cameras are just an example of my dillema ... there are many others to muse over! 😱

My immaculate 1930 Leica 1a for example ... it hasn't had a film through it nearly five years! If I keep it, it means I'm a collector ... something I'm not all that comfortable with. If I sell it I'll look at the space in the cabinet where it used to be occasionally and think "you idiot!" 😛
 
If money were no object I would consider buying a SD1M and having the mount converted to Leica. You can't argue with the astounding results from the foveon sensor at low iso.

I've just spent a week on holiday shooting with only the DP2M and RX-1. Both are great cameras although hand on heart the DP2M out resolves the RX-1 while the RX-1 delivers the most pleasing 'out-of-camera' results.

What was a surprise to me is that I only shot 8 film frames the entire week. I am very worried that these two cameras are reducing my appetite for MF film work.

As it is, the first thing I did when I got home was I ordered a DP3M (there is a GBP200 cash back offer on DPxM cameras in the UK) as I felt the one focal length I was missing was something longer than the DP2M.

Of course the weight of lugging these two cameras was most liberating when compared to lugging only one body and lens from my Hasselblad MF kit.

LouisB
 
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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Awesome combo. Congrats, Gary, and have fun!
Look forward to your feedback and images!
 
louisb said:
If money were no object I would consider buying a SD1M and having the mount converted to Leica. You can't argue with the astounding results from the foveon sensor at low iso.

I've just spent a week on holiday shooting with only the DP2M and RX-1. Both are great cameras although hand on heart the DP2M out resolves the RX-1 while the RX-1 delivers the most pleasing 'out-of-camera' results.

What was a surprise to me is that I only shot 8 film frames the entire week. I am very worried that these two cameras are reducing my appetite for MF film work.

As it is, the first thing I did when I got home was I ordered a DP3M (there is a GBP200 cash back offer on DPxM cameras in the UK) as I felt the one focal length I was missing was something longer than the DP2M.

Of course the weight of lugging these two cameras was most liberating when compared to lugging only one body and lens from my Hasselblad MF kit.

LouisB
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I'm surprised to learn that you even waited this long, Louis! But then again, with the RX-1 in your hands, it doesn't sound like you've been depriving yourself of any luxury.

I bowed months ago under the same cash back incentive here in France.

Enjoy, and please share your experience and above all images here!
 
noimmunity said:
Awesome combo. Congrats, Gary, and have fun!
Look forward to your feedback and images!
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It's kinda of funny in a way... I have no problem w/ zooms on an slr but w/ something that is intended to be compact like the Fuji xe1, I really don't want one on the camera unless I am w/ friends and family and thus more of a social outing. But after all the years shooting w/ a zoom on Nikon slr's, I don't even think twice about it..

As I think about it, an slr is already a big heavy body so a zoom doesn't feel out of place as opposed to something more compact like a xp1/xe1.

But the way I use slr is mainly for tele and macro work when u look at how I have been using my omd for example. W/ the sd1 that is probably going to change, I am finding that I want more lens selection then what the dp's can offer and which in the end is the reason I finally decided to pick up the sd1m. I would have preferred a csc w/ built in evf, but I have my doubts that Sigma will ever invest in that market.

The two zooms will give me a good range to experiment w/ at cost of some resolution. The 30 f1.4 and maybe the 70 or 100 macro is what I will end up getting next.

I just like the look from the foveon sensor the best... From the sample I have seen on the web, there is really no difference from the dp or sd Merrill series... I am sure that since the lens is matched to the sensor, the overall iq from the dp is going to be better...

Only time will tell how much I will use the dp's vs the sd1..

Gary
 
I find that I am using the SD1 more and more and the DPxm's less and less.
BUT image stabilization of the lens helps tremendously with the SD1.
 
GaryLH said:
It's kinda of funny in a way... I have no problem w/ zooms on an slr but w/ something that is intended to be compact like the Fuji xe1, I really don't want one on the camera unless I am w/ friends and family and thus more of a social outing. But after all the years shooting w/ a zoom on Nikon slr's, I don't even think twice about it..

As I think about it, an slr is already a big heavy body so a zoom doesn't feel out of place as opposed to something more compact like a xp1/xe1.

But the way I use slr is mainly for tele and macro work when u look at how I have been using my omd for example. W/ the sd1 that is probably going to change, I am finding that I want more lens selection then what the dp's can offer and which in the end is the reason I finally decided to pick up the sd1m. I would have preferred a csc w/ built in evf, but I have my doubts that Sigma will ever invest in that market.

The two zooms will give me a good range to experiment w/ at cost of some resolution. The 30 f1.4 and maybe the 70 or 100 macro is what I will end up getting next.

I just like the look from the foveon sensor the best... From the sample I have seen on the web, there is really no difference from the dp or sd Merrill series... I am sure that since the lens is matched to the sensor, the overall iq from the dp is going to be better...

Only time will tell how much I will use the dp's vs the sd1..

Gary
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I really don't have any significant experience with zoom lenses. Tried them in Contax C/Y many years ago and didn't like the effect they produced on my interaction with the world. But I am resolved to try using the new Fuji XF 55-200. Hopefully I'll have it in hand before I go to the aboriginal Harvest Festival in Taitung this summer.

I really love the look of the Foveon sensor as well. There's so much more to it than the resolution.
 
I found a used 70f2.8 macro lens in mint condition. So far three lenses 10-20, 18-200 and the 70. Next will be the newer 35f1.4 when it goes on sale.

The sd1m w/ 18-200 kit lens is suppose to get here by Monday night.

Gary
 
noimmunity said:
I really don't have any significant experience with zoom lenses. Tried them in Contax C/Y many years ago and didn't like the effect they produced on my interaction with the world. But I am resolved to try using the new Fuji XF 55-200. Hopefully I'll have it in hand before I go to the aboriginal Harvest Festival in Taitung this summer.

I really love the look of the Foveon sensor as well. There's so much more to it than the resolution.
Click to expand...

Even though I have the 18-55 zoom which was part of the kit on the xe1, I really don't use if I am out shooting by myself. My preferred setup is the one I used when I had a pair of Leica CL's - 21 and 40. Right now the 35 is being used but when the 27 finally ships, I will be done w/ all I want for the Fuji stuff.

When it comes to slr type cameras, for whatever reason, zooms feel as natural to use as fixed lens for me.

Gary
 
GaryLH said:
Even though I have the 18-55 zoom which was part of the kit on the xe1, I really don't use if I am out shooting by myself. My preferred setup is the one I used when I had a pair of Leica CL's - 21 and 40. Right now the 35 is being used but when the 27 finally ships, I will be done w/ all I want for the Fuji stuff.

When it comes to slr type cameras, for whatever reason, zooms feel as natural to use as fixed lens for me.

Gary
Click to expand...

Well, then, I hope that Fuji comes out with the 27 asap!
 
I am still considering the 35mm f/1.4. All reviews I have seen say it is amazing. I have the 50mm f/1.4. I am happy with it but not thrilled.
I continue to be very impressed by the 18-250mm zoom.
 
Gary,
Thanks for the review - interesting. I think it accurately sums up the SD1.
the 85mm lens looks terrific. It is on my wish list.
I have learned to tolerate all of the oddities of the SD1. I have no issue with SPP, no live view, no video, poor high ISO performance (except in B&W), and so on. All of that just doesn't matter to me.


I finally think I know why the SD1 doesn't have live view. After all, all of the DP Merrills have it. So there is real technical barrier to doing this - even with a mirror.
I think live view on a Foveon X3 sensor-based DSLR would drain the battery tremendously. DSLR owners would never tolerate the short battery life we see on the DP Merrills.
 
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