What would u want for dp Merrill next gen?

[GaryLH]

Given what we have already seen in terms of the first generation DPs to their latest incarnation the dp Merrill and given the limitations of what Sigma maybe able to do, what would u like to c different?

I will start it off w/
- get adobe and apple on board, so we don't have to use spp (ok this is not a next gen issue, but I hope something happens here before we c a next gen 🙁 )
- faster processing, especially write to sd card
- faster startup time
- faster af
- Ricoh snap focus feature
- a shutter release cable capability not use delay shutter release..
- better Jpg engine
- optional evf like what Ricoh gxr or Sony Nex 5n has
- a super wide like a 21fov and a longer tele like 90 to 135 range, both for landscape work.
- I don't need more megapixels.. The files are already toooo large, work on better sensor in terms of higher iso support - color good to at least 800.

Gary

 

[Kent]

Faster and a more beautiful body! Much more!

 

[Monochrom]

Hi, all mentioned would be great...but i´m happy with the aesthetics of the series so i wouldn´t make any change in the shape.

If i had to choose only one improvement i´d go for an f2 lens!

Cheers!

 

[burancap]

I think that the (though this could be said about a lot of cameras) lack of an *inbuilt* OVF/EVF or at least a detachable EVF is job one. If not, license WhiteMagic from Sony. It is fantastic and makes all the difference in the world.

 

[jsrockit]

High ISO, longer battery life, and Lightroom Support. I can deal with the rest of its short comings.

 

[burancap]

longer battery life

Oops! Move my last post to: job two!

You are absolutely correct! Battery life is job one!!!

 

[chrishayton]

I'd love a 21mm equivalent one. Lens speed is unimportant. F4 F4.5 etc would be fine as long as it was sharp and low distortion. I wouldn't mind a 50mm f1.4 or F2 equiv too.
I'd certainly buy the wide one if they make one.

 

[Murchu]

High iso, faster write speeds, lightroom support, & lenses that are a stop faster. All that would encourage me to buy, as at the moment lack of all the aforementioned means it not the camera for me. Not sure Sigma can actually deliver any of these improvements, for what its worth, and my main hope as we come to the end of the resolution wars, is that someone else picks up the foveon technology, and brings foveon to the mainstream, and not hamstrung by Sigma's camera body engineering prowess. Would love to see stacked foveon sensors (properly implemented) in all cameras.

 

[dfatty]

Image stabilization for me. This camera is so sharp that it shows even a little camera shake. And as we know it's challenged at high ISO, so IS would let us shoot low light static scenes without upping the ISO. I can live with the rest of its charms 😀

 

[btgc]

- Ricoh snap focus feature
- better Jpg engine

Is Ricoh's snap mode better than MF dial on original DP models?

JPG processing, yeah...sigh. But generally, shooting RAW helps me to sort out a lot of crap at the shooting stage.

 

[GaryLH]

Snap focus is not necessary better, but different and unique. ..

Af shooting mode - normal half press to get af lock, but full press instead and it will automatically go to a predetermined focus distance. Can be set from 1m to inf if I remember correctly. Default setting is around 2 to 2.5 m depending on the lensor unit..

W/ this feature added to the sigma, it can be used in more fluid situations. When zone focus is need to capture the moment but still have normal af as the normal operation mode.

Gary

 

[thegman]

I like the way the bodies look, I like the more retro models too, like the Leica X1 or Fujiflm X100. I admire Sigma's disregard for these fads though and like that they just made a nice, simple, modern looking camera.

I really like the Merrill line up as it is, and there is nothing in particular I'd like to see, maybe a built in finder, just a simple optical one would be nice.

 

[GaryLH]

Would love to see stacked foveon sensors (properly implemented) in all cameras.

Looking up when Merrill started his company, it was 1997, so foveon patent most have been done just before then. I believe, patents are 20 years, correct? So only another 4 years for base patent to expire.

That being said, looks like Sony, Fuji, and Canon may have already come up w/ a possible workaround to base patent.

http://www.sonyalpharumors.com/next-sony-foveon-alike-patent/
http://www.canonrumors.com/2011/07/canon-3-layer-sensor-foveon-type-patent/
http://www.mirrorlessrumors.com/fuji-patent-discloses-a-new-three-layer-sensor-foveon-style/

Whether anyone brings this to market is a different story.

Gary

 

[Monochrom]

yeah..the´re so many things to improve that i´m sure they won´t move an inch...so i still want an f2 lens...😀 only on the dp2m...the others can stay the same...😎

 

[GaryLH]

So to make sure.. I love my dp Merrill cameras (dp1and dp2). I would just like to c some enhancements that would make them more appealing to a wider group of people.

At the start of the year I was trying to target around 70-75% of my shots to be from the dp Merrill's. as of today, I am at 43% overall. Whether I make my target goal, I don't know, but more than likely 40-50% is looking like a more realistic target given my shooting habits.

Gary

 

[noimmunity]

Better AF for the DP3M macro.
Longer exposure times.
Remote release.
21 or 24 efov wide angle body.
Way to set hard infinity stop on manual focus.
OVF.
Strap lugs on the right side (better for right-handed wrist strap than the current lug on the back of the body).
Lighter body weight.
lighter option for tripod mount under lens than RRS bracket.
Better LCD design for bright sun conditions

 

[Monochrom]

i think they really know what to do (improvements) but they couldn´t care less 😀

Ah another change that would be nice is a kind of base where to house extra battery and speed facilities like old leicas bases with motor. so you take the battery door out and insert the base which also has a built in grip.

 

[sepiareverb]

DNG files. The intermediate software needed to get a RAW file into PS is ridiculous.

 

[Murchu]

Looking up when Merrill started his company, it was 1997, so foveon patent most have been done just before then. I believe, patents are 20 years, correct? So only another 4 years for base patent to expire.

That would be quite interesting. As sensors become cheaper, I think stacked sensors, ala foveon, are the way to go. Lot of other people companies doing interesting things with sensors alright, but any sort of array, like Bayer/ X-Trans/ et al, just seems a primitive option compared to something like foveon, imo. Unfortunately the biggest obstacle to something like this becoming the norm, would seem to be the endless march towards full frame sensors, even where legacy lenses are not a factor. APS sized sensors are at that happy price point now, where it would make sense to stack them, and would love to see it, with the prospect of Sigma-foveon image quality in a variety of options/ bodies being quite appealing.

EDIT: Very interesting links by the way, I think sensors like these will become the new battleground for digital, after everyone gets on board the small camera size wagon 🙂

 

[FA Limited]

there is so much wrong with the Merrill anything would be a welcome improvement. in fact there is so much wrong with every sigma camera. and i'm speaking as a DP2M owner who really likes the camera, but i just feel that its application is so restricted. point and shoots are supposed to be about freedom where the merrill is a camera that needs special occasions for.

more realistically, i think sigma has figured out it might be more worthwhile just to be a niche player, know that your camera will attract certain types of people but not appeal to everyone. kind of like what fuji has done.