Making the switch to digital with Sigma... need a little advice.

To all:

I am currently making the switch to digital and, after much research, I have decided that a Sigma DSLR is the one for me. I have two questions, actually:

1. What are the major improvements of the SD10 over the SD9? Is there a link to some in-depth comparison, aside from the reviews on this site, that you guys could send my way? More than that, I would love to hear from actual users who have lived with both cameras.

2. Where are the best deals to be had. I've been looking around at Adorama, eBay, Abe's of Maine. B&H didn't have any. Any other places you would recommend looking that you have had good experiences with?

Thanks, in advance, for all of your help.

Cheers,

Trip

kikoba said:

To all:

I am currently making the switch to digital and, after much
research, I have decided that a Sigma DSLR is the one for me. I
have two questions, actually:

Click to expand...

A good choice, you must have done the same research I did!

kikoba said:

1. What are the major improvements of the SD10 over the SD9? Is
there a link to some in-depth comparison, aside from the reviews on
this site, that you guys could send my way? More than that, I
would love to hear from actual users who have lived with both
cameras.

Click to expand...

The major difference is in light gathering ability, and lower ISO support. The SD-10 has pretty usable ISO 400-800, even ISO 400 on the SD9 is not that great.

Also even at ISO 100 the improved light gathering ability (due to microlenses) means reduced noise in the shadow regions of an image.

Other than that, the cameras are pretty identical. The same sensor, almost the same body, same controls. Even the sharpness of the images is pretty mcuh identical.

The one body difference is in batteries - the SD-10 uses just two CR-V3's (or four AA batteries, but CR-V3's work so much better). The SD-9 uses those but also two 123A batteries, which can be more inconvienient but some say drive the autofocus a bit faster.

kikoba said:

2. Where are the best deals to be had. I've been looking around at
Adorama, eBay, Abe's of Maine. B&H didn't have any. Any other
places you would recommend looking that you have had good
experiences with?

Click to expand...

That I'm not so sure of. There isn't really any stock to be had because Sigma is working on a new camera, which no-one knows the release date for yet. If you wait a bit you might get cheaper SD-10's on eBay when the new models come out, but again the wait time would be unknown and now that you've made a choice I'm sure you want to get moving!

So your best bet is probably ebay.

--
---> Kendall
http://InsideAperture.com
http://www.pbase.com/kgelner
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/user_home

Right now may not be a good time to shop for a SD10. Sigma has discontinued its production for awhile now in expectation of introducing a new model. Supposely, in a very near feature. How near, your guess is as good as anyone elses.

Sigma has always been are very tight lip about future products, so no one has any spec that can be shared.

--
jc

kikoba said:

To all:

I am currently making the switch to digital and, after much
research, I have decided that a Sigma DSLR is the one for me. I
have two questions, actually:

1. What are the major improvements of the SD10 over the SD9? Is
there a link to some in-depth comparison, aside from the reviews on
this site, that you guys could send my way? More than that, I
would love to hear from actual users who have lived with both
cameras.

2. Where are the best deals to be had. I've been looking around at
Adorama, eBay, Abe's of Maine. B&H didn't have any. Any other
places you would recommend looking that you have had good
experiences with?

Click to expand...

Adorama has one kit (SD10 + kit lenses) on eBay now for $999 and there are others up for bidding as well...just keep checking. You might want to email Sigma US and see if they may have access to any for direct sale.

kikoba said:

Thanks, in advance, for all of your help.

Cheers,

Trip

Click to expand...

--
John P. Sabo
[email protected]

'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'

• Arthur C. Clarke -

I'm moving, and to make the move easy. I am thinking about letting go one of my SD10 plus a couple of older lenses like a 50mm EX non-DG. Maybe.

--
Chunsum.

Put your soul behind the view finder.

http://www.chunsum.com
http://www.pbase.com/chunsum
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/chunsum_choi

The main differences between the SD9 and SD10 have already been pointed out. The microlens give better light to the sensor so everything works better, especially noise performance. But there is also an increase in dynamic range (hard to quantify but viewable). And the SD9 was a little uv sensitive so you sometimes got slightly deeper blue skys than were actually there (though the problem was nowhere near as bad as some presented it, and since I was an old Polaroid filter fan I rarely found it objectionable). The SD10 incorporated a filter to correct this "problem." Finally, the SD10 seems more forgiving than the SD9. Someone suggested it was like shifting from Kodochrome (one of my favorite old films, but rather demanding) to a later film with wider latitude such as Ektachrome.

We still love the SD9 and when Nancy and I are our shooting together we both use it, but we both reach for the SD10 first.

I would suggest you look at SD9 and SD10 pictures in the pbase galleries:

http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/user_home

http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/user_sd10

With all this said Sigma has indicated they are working on a new camera(s) using a new generation of Foveon sensor. They do not disclose details or a time-table on when it will appear, but I suspect, given the time both Foveon and Sigma have taken working on it, that it may well be a significant improvement over the SD10. Yet if you are like me you take a very long time to decide, but once you decide you want it yesterday!

One last piece of advice. If you do get an SD10 you will not see its full potential with the kit lens (which are good). Get at least one EX lens (the 50mmEX is a good place to start, an excellent macro and all-around lens). Some here are also partial to M42 lens using an adaptor, if you like manual lens as well.

Welcome to the Sigma Forum whatever you decide to do.

Pete

kikoba said:

To all:

I am currently making the switch to digital and, after much
research, I have decided that a Sigma DSLR is the one for me. I
have two questions, actually:

1. What are the major improvements of the SD10 over the SD9?

Click to expand...

There is one big difference that the others have forgotten to mention is that the IR filter on the SD9 is non removable and the SD9 dust protector is only a dust protector so the SD9 is practically useless for IR photography but Sigma made the SD10's dust protector into its Infra-red filter and as the dust protecter is easily removable it makes the SD10 excellent for IR photography.

Regards

DSG

--
http://sigmasd10.fotopic.net/

kikoba said:

I am currently making the switch to digital and, after much
research, I have decided that a Sigma DSLR is the one for me. I
have two questions, actually:

kikoba said:

2. Where are the best deals to be had. I've been looking around at

Click to expand...

Adorama, eBay, Abe's of Maine. B&H didn't have any. Any other
places you would recommend looking that you have had good
experiences with?

Click to expand...

This SD10 was just relisted..lots of extras...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7599565129&ssPageName=ADME:B:EF:US:1

kikoba said:

Thanks, in advance, for all of your help.

Cheers,

Trip

Click to expand...

--
John P. Sabo
[email protected]

'Any sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic.'

• Arthur C. Clarke -