Sigma Impressed by Sigma DP Merrill(s)

pniev

Student for life
I visited a store yesterday to check on some glass and ended up spending 2 hours in the store. The guy showed me some results from the DP Merrills and showed how they compared to the results of his Canon 5d Mark3. The differences in detail (and color) were enormous. Much more detail in de DP photos. We looked at a variety of photos and the look impressed me a lot. Don't know how to say it but the photos looked so natural, not digital. I knew from this site that the DPs produce great images but viewing them on a big screen 1:1 shows the phenomenal quality of these cameras.

I almost bought one for flower/nature shots and one for landscape. They're darn cheap for the image quality.

Nothing new for many of you but I thought to share my surprise.

Peter
 
I spotted the price drop the day it happened, I've been considering one , but feel a little put off by reported raw workflow complexities ? Is this true or is it no different than any other ?
How do you do it.
 
I haven't done it but the guy at the store told me that you need to use Sigma's software for raw processing and convert them before importing LR or something else. He also recommended not to shoot beyond ISO200. So low light requires tripod. So there are limits.

I spotted the price drop the day it happened, I've been considering one , but feel a little put off by reported raw workflow complexities ? Is this true or is it no different than any other ?
How do you do it.
 
Some people condemn the Sigma software out of hand, but it does the basic essentials enabling you to output a high quality tiff image for any further processing in another image editor of your choice. Again some decry the need for two image editors, but I regard the Sigma's as somewhat specialised cameras that you probably wouldn't employ for everyday use, hence the number of images being processed will be relatively low. I normally, but not exclusively, use them for landscape and close up work. Used in that considered fashion the number of pictures taken is likely to be low. When I used them the other day at the South Devon Railway I surprised myself by filling up a 4GB memory card on my DP3M (its first outing), the first time I've ever done that with a Merrill in the field, or indeed come anywhere near it, a reflection of the different style of photography for different subject matter, shot now, edit later rather than edit before taking the shot when tripod mounted for landscape or close up.

Barrie
 
I recently purchased a dp2m and dp3m and glad I did..I was a little concerned about some of the things I had read regarding workflow etc but in reality its fine.Just do bare minimum in sigma software export as a tiff to lightroom and carry on as usual.The files are excellent straight out the camera so need very little work doing to them.I tried few high iso shots the other day,heres one at 1600

12839683794_b150632168_c.jpg

ISO 1600 by StuartHowePhotography, on Flickr
 
I purchased my first Sigma DPm cameras (DP2M) when I was doing a lot of medium format film photography and I have to say it set the rot in, in terms of continuing with film. To be fair the RX1 I picked up a little later only compounded the dissatisfaction with continuing with film. However, the way I see it, Sigma Photo Pro is just the price you have to pay to avoid processing and scanning film by using one of the finest MF film-equivalent cameras on the market.

Just my two cents.

LouisB

Taken with a DP3M
9375858717_2c4df7ea06_b_d.jpg
 
I've just seen the price of the DP3 and it's diverted my attention away from the new Canon G1XM2.

One question......What is the closest focusing distance of the DP3 ?
BigLouis' PIcture above has caught my attention.
 
I purchased my first Sigma DPm cameras (DP2M) when I was doing a lot of medium format film photography and I have to say it set the rot in, in terms of continuing with film. To be fair the RX1 I picked up a little later only compounded the dissatisfaction with continuing with film. However, the way I see it, Sigma Photo Pro is just the price you have to pay to avoid processing and scanning film by using one of the finest MF film-equivalent cameras on the market.

Just my two cents.

LouisB

Taken with a DP3M
9375858717_2c4df7ea06_b_d.jpg

I feel the same.
 
I couldn't resist at the price and have just ordered a DP3 from Clifton Cameras.
Last year I tried to trade a DSLR for one but then the X100S appeared and I went with Fuji.
 
barrie,
which one do you use for close-up work?

Some people condemn the Sigma software out of hand, but it does the basic essentials enabling you to output a high quality tiff image for any further processing in another image editor of your choice. Again some decry the need for two image editors, but I regard the Sigma's as somewhat specialised cameras that you probably wouldn't employ for everyday use, hence the number of images being processed will be relatively low. I normally, but not exclusively, use them for landscape and close up work. Used in that considered fashion the number of pictures taken is likely to be low. When I used them the other day at the South Devon Railway I surprised myself by filling up a 4GB memory card on my DP3M (its first outing), the first time I've ever done that with a Merrill in the field, or indeed come anywhere near it, a reflection of the different style of photography for different subject matter, shot now, edit later rather than edit before taking the shot when tripod mounted for landscape or close up.

Barrie
 
A picture is worth more than a thousand words... Says it all

I purchased my first Sigma DPm cameras (DP2M) when I was doing a lot of medium format film photography and I have to say it set the rot in, in terms of continuing with film. To be fair the RX1 I picked up a little later only compounded the dissatisfaction with continuing with film. However, the way I see it, Sigma Photo Pro is just the price you have to pay to avoid processing and scanning film by using one of the finest MF film-equivalent cameras on the market.

Just my two cents.

LouisB

Taken with a DP3M
9375858717_2c4df7ea06_b_d.jpg
 
The DP3 is a very special camera. I'd actually say, unique.

The 50mm (70mm equiv) lens is an absolute beauty but it is a difficult camera to work with for macro type work. Or to put it another way you get out of it what you put into it. However, the fun of the camera is the challenge of using the focal length in interesting ways.

I have never missed not having a wider aperture with either the DP2M (which I rarely shoot below f4 or above f8) or the DP3M (which creates dreamy bokeh even at larger apertures).

LouisB
 
I couldn't resist at the price and have just ordered a DP3 from Clifton Cameras.
Last year I tried to trade a DSLR for one but then the X100S appeared and I went with Fuji.

Have they finally got them in stock then?..I know a few people that have ordered from them only to be told expecting stock a week later..they seem to be struggling to get them.I got both my merrills from Park Cameras,fantastic service fast delivery and they will price match clifton.
 
Back
Top