sd15 build quality?

Hello everyone, i'm fairly new to the forums but have been reading them for quite some time now. One thing that I have not read were comments about the build quality of the camera. I know it has a plastic frame and I was wondering if anyone can compare it to something like a D90. Weird that there aren't any reviews out, say for that one in japanese (I believe it was japanese anyways).

I also wanted to know your impressions of the control dial. The video that Lawrence posted (video 1 i believe) it looks like it takes a little force with two fingers to get that thing moving. Is that something that becomes a little less snug with use or that just the way it is? And is one finger sliding possible or is that out of the question?

Here's a little about where i'm at. I've been using a FujiFinePix s9000 on manual mode for 5 years or so. it's a 9MP glorified P&S megazoom w/full manual controls. It doesn't sound like much but i've made great 13x19 prints with it and have for the most part been happy with the images I have been able to capture with it. Sadly, the camera is sooooo slow that I have also missed a lot of pictures as well. I personally think most people should use those for training when coming from point and shoots but that's another topic for another day.

I've been looking at the D90, D300 (s), and 7D. Up until recently I stumbled upon the sd15 and have spent the last few months reading about it, the sd14/10/9 and DP line. I am getting ready in the next few months to purchase my first DSLR and want to be sure I am getting into the right system. I have read all about Sigma/Foveon and have seen all of the wonderful and sharp pictures it can produce, and at the same time have read all of the negative too. Lol, there's a lot of nay-sayers out there. Funny how these same people seem to know/care more about the specs of their gear than they do about photography.

Right now the only thing i'm stuck on is construction of the body and that darn dial. I hope this doesn't sound silly but the reason I was mainly wanting to compare it to a d90 vs say a 50D is because I really don't like the control dial's on canon's although I would be willing to make an exception on the 7D because it's truly a mechanical thing of beauty.

I know I really need to get out to a local photography store, it's just hard to make time as my days are pretty hectic.

Thanks for your time, and sorry for the crazy long post.

Hello Dr B.

I hope you did not get the wrong impression of this website and it's users.
This is a Sigma photography forum where we can place our questions and comments.

No matter what your level of skill may be, and mostly you will get a friendly response.

Imagine for a moment if all you read was how perfect SIGMA cameras are.
We know that is impossible. What if we only read how bad Sigma cameras are,
we know that is not true, also.

We are in the beginning of welcoming a new Sigma product the sd15.
So, we are asking a lot of questions in hope that the more technical astute
persons can help those who are not. You have asked a kind of technical question,
maybe someone has had a problem with the controls on their sd14/15. I seem to
remember someone did have an on-off dial brake.

I have a lot of very nice sd14 photographs, landscapes, that I made. Now I'm
hoping to get some very nice sd15 landscape photographs. So far the sd15 has

not revealed it's secrets qualities to me, nor have I seen it except in one color posting, so far. That photo posting did display a lot of post-processing to achieve their beautiful prints which is fine. So I have hope.

welcome
Frank

i forgot to mentionI find the sd14/15 very well built as far as the hardware goes,

and never had aproblem in that area. Sigma kept updating the firmware on the sd14
to were it is pretty good, also.

Paging Dr B said:

Hello everyone, i'm fairly new to the forums but have been reading them for quite some time now. One thing that I have not read were comments about the build quality of the camera. I know it has a plastic frame and I was wondering if anyone can compare it to something like a D90. Weird that there aren't any reviews out, say for that one in japanese (I believe it was japanese anyways).

Click to expand...

The build quality is good. Solid and substantial. I like it better than the D70 I've played with. I'm assuming that you haven't held a SD14. It's very similar, with a nicer set of controls (and the bigger LCD).

Paging Dr B said:

I also wanted to know your impressions of the control dial. The video that Lawrence posted (video 1 i believe) it looks like it takes a little force with two fingers to get that thing moving. Is that something that becomes a little less snug with use or that just the way it is? And is one finger sliding possible or is that out of the question?

Click to expand...

Control dial is easy for me to move with one finger, but it doesn't move 'easily'. You're unlikely to change it unintentionally.

Paging Dr B said:

Here's a little about where i'm at. I've been using a FujiFinePix s9000 on manual mode for 5 years or so. it's a 9MP glorified P&S megazoom w/full manual controls. It doesn't sound like much but i've made great 13x19 prints with it and have for the most part been happy with the images I have been able to capture with it. Sadly, the camera is sooooo slow that I have also missed a lot of pictures as well. I personally think most people should use those for training when coming from point and shoots but that's another topic for another day.

I've been looking at the D90, D300 (s), and 7D. Up until recently I stumbled upon the sd15 and have spent the last few months reading about it, the sd14/10/9 and DP line. I am getting ready in the next few months to purchase my first DSLR and want to be sure I am getting into the right system. I have read all about Sigma/Foveon and have seen all of the wonderful and sharp pictures it can produce, and at the same time have read all of the negative too. Lol, there's a lot of nay-sayers out there. Funny how these same people seem to know/care more about the specs of their gear than they do about photography.

Right now the only thing i'm stuck on is construction of the body and that darn dial. I hope this doesn't sound silly but the reason I was mainly wanting to compare it to a d90 vs say a 50D is because I really don't like the control dial's on canon's although I would be willing to make an exception on the 7D because it's truly a mechanical thing of beauty.

Click to expand...

I wouldn't fret much about the construction of the body. It's good enough. It's unlikely to be your camera in 20 years time, so these things have a much shorter half-life than the film cameras of yesteryear. I found that moving from the SD10's dual dial system to the SD14's was a 'disappointment', but I'm using it fine now. And the SD15's allows you to configure the dial in manual mode (you can use it for either shutter speed or aperture).

Honestly, it comes down to the images. If you really like what you see out of the Foveon sensored Sigma's in comparison to the Nikon and Canon, you'll find it hard to put up with a CFA sensored camera. And if you don't see a difference, then I'd go with one of the bigger brands (you have more lens choices).

Paging Dr B said:

I know I really need to get out to a local photography store, it's just hard to make time as my days are pretty hectic.

Thanks for your time, and sorry for the crazy long post.

Click to expand...

I bought my SD10 sight unseen, based on many of the photos posted on Pbase by those early Sigma adopters (Rick, Laurence, Seng, etc.). I've been very happy with my choice, especially when it comes to cranking out prints.

Good luck!

--
Jim

Thanks Frank.

I also wanted to ask if anyone could describe how big the camera is. By looking at it's dimensions it looks as though it lies somewhere between a D300 and D90, is that correct? Does anyone have a side by side picture of their sd14/15 next to a similarly sized Canon or Nikon? I've scoured the entire internet and couldn't come up with one side by side picture to see how big these are. Frank as an Sd14 owner are you able to comment on the dial around the shutter release button? Are you able to slide that with just your index finger or do you need your thumb too.
--
Not really a doctor, I only play one in the username field.

JLK said:

Honestly, it comes down to the images. If you really like what you see out of the Foveon sensored Sigma's in comparison to the Nikon and Canon, you'll find it hard to put up with a CFA sensored camera. And if you don't see a difference, then I'd go with one of the bigger brands (you have more lens choices).

Click to expand...

Exactly. I don't have experience with older SD models, but the 15 subjectively feels both precise and solid. I wouldn't use that as an argument against it.

I don't find it easy to use the control wheel with one finger (new SD15), but the position of it invites to use two fingers regardless. I might miss it in my next camera, but it does take some time getting used to.

NOTE: You use your index finger and your middle finger to control the wheel, the thumb can then be used to press one of the modifier buttons on the back

Thanks Jim. That's exactly it - I can't get over how the images have that POP, and how the sensor seems to catch all of the small variances in color.

Performance wise the SD15 will be a crazy performance boost in terms of speed from what i'm using now.

It's also good to hear that the control knob should be a non-issue. Wow, I can't believe I was letting that get to me. I guess I just figured that I was going to put quite a few miles on it, and I'd just want it to feel right.

--
Not really a doctor, I only play one in the username field.

I just received my SD15 yesterday, so I haven't had much time to check out all the features, but I agree with the comments about the dial. It's snug enough to prevent accidental changes, but not too snug to change with one finger.

Overall, the build seems solid, but I'll know more after I get a few sessions done. One very welcome improvement is the card door, which is now much easier to operate than the SD14 door. I'll be posting some more thoughts in another post in a few minutes. But essentially, there are lots of improvements over the SD14 in the SD15, which, in my opinion anyway, certainly warrants going for the upgrade.

Simply put, it's just better, across the board.

--

'If they're not screaming at you to get out of the way, you're not close enough' http://www.ChuckLantz.com

The Sigma SD15 is 144 x 107 x 81 mm and weighs 750 g (26.5 oz)

The Nikon D300 is 147 x 114 x 74 mm and weighs 938 g (33.1 oz)

I don't have experience with the above cameras but I did shoot for a while with Nikon D200 bodies and the SD14. So basically the same thing.

The SD14 always felt better in my (large) hands than the D200, I felt the Nikon grip was too small and not comfortable to hold for long periods of time. With the extra battery grip on the "feel" of both cameras improves but I still feel the SD14 has a slim edge.

The Nikon has a very solid structural feeling to the body like it was made for rugged use in any environment. The SD14 feels solidly made but more refined and elegant like a well designed tool instead of a universal black brick. I wouldn't however say it is as tough as the D200 body in terms of materials or sealing. Even with large aperture zoom lenses on both bodies they were well balanced, I think better than the Canon 20/30/40/50D series. Neither are as well rounded or solid as the D3 or Mark pro bodies but I would say they are both in a class of their own for crop sensor bodies.

Ergonomics wise they are pretty close. The D200 has like 30 buttons all over the body but you really only ever use about 6 of them in normal shooting. The Sd14 controls are much cleaner and easier to get to but there were not as many options for setting up or choosing things. Both menu systems are pretty close as well, The Nikon is faster to access and make changes to but the Sigma is much more simplistic. It depends on how much of a "button pusher" you are I think.

Size wise they are pretty close, in fact they are really close. I was also shooting Canon 5D's at the time and both were shorter in height than the FF body. I really don't think size is an issue at all because they are so close. I would be more interested with the performance and user features. I can tell you in good light the SD14 IQ mopped the floor with anything the D200 could do. I hated the crappy Sony sensor in the D200. But the Sd14 was like a turtle chasing a rabbit in term of performance, it was really far behind.

If I was offered either body I would take the Nikon simply because it's operation and speed better fits my needs. However I would still secretly wish I was getting the Sigma IQ.

Hope that helps.

A friend has a d70 Nikon I'd say the sd14/15 was 10-12% bigger all around.
I have no problem at all using my index finger only, to turn the shutter dial.

Not the tip of my finger, more the flat outer third of my index resting around the dial.

All and all the sd14/15 is a very ergonomic friendly camera, that I prefer over the

Nikon. The thumb acting on the back AV to change the shutter dial to shutter/speed

from aperture settings also works well, when spinning the dial, but the Nikon was a little more intuitive with it's two dials, but not better that the SD14/15.

Frank

I own a SD14 and an D90. It is really the best of both worlds. The SD14 for its magical image quality. D90 for its convenience and high ISO performance. Also its state of the art flash system and great control layout for action shooting.

Physically the Sigma body is very solid with a very straight forward control system. The 15 should be much better as far as handling due to improved processing, AF and metering.
Pete
--
A bad day of train chasing is better than a good day at work.
http://peterzpicts.smugmug.com/

Is the Sd14/15 (never actually seen one) a much more refined body than the SD9/10? I ask because my partner has a Fuji S5 (which is basically the D200 body) and frankly I couldn't disagree with your assessment more!

To me the s5 is a delight: a magnificently sold metal and rubber body with oversize buttons, a superb grip and balance and a feel of real quality. A true hint of high end cameras. The SD9 is very different: big and plasticky and crude by comparison (although it does feel strong) and very much a budget camera.

Nothing I have read on this forums has given me any impression that the Sd14/15 body is some kind of mega leap forward in build quality over 9/10 so I am quite surprised at your preference.

--
Galleries and website: http://www.whisperingcat.co.uk/default.shtml

I can only compare the SD14 to the D300...(dont have the SD10 i once had anymore...). All that i can say is that the SD14 is well built and it feels more "Canon like" but as you said below the D300 ( much like the D200 and even better) is a totally different beast...the body just feels extremelly right in your hands (everything: buttons, the AF selector much better than Sigma dial and etc...) and the built quality is unmatched by Sigma and by many (this i just supose)

DMillier said:

Is the Sd14/15 (never actually seen one) a much more refined body than the SD9/10? I ask because my partner has a Fuji S5 (which is basically the D200 body) and frankly I couldn't disagree with your assessment more!

Click to expand...

--

Think about photography books and classes before any kind of gear....without knowledge, no camera is useful....

Carlos Roncatti Bomfim

Sigmauser01 said:

The Sigma SD15 is 144 x 107 x 81 mm and weighs 750 g (26.5 oz)

The Nikon D300 is 147 x 114 x 74 mm and weighs 938 g (33.1 oz)

Click to expand...

This seems strange...looking at the SD14 and D300, the D300 has a more deep grip...so the difference must be on the builtin flash protuberance...

Sigmauser01 said:

I don't have experience with the above cameras but I did shoot for a while with Nikon D200 bodies and the SD14. So basically the same thing.

The SD14 always felt better in my (large) hands than the D200, I felt the Nikon grip was too small and not comfortable to hold for long periods of time. With the extra battery grip on the "feel" of both cameras improves but I still feel the SD14 has a slim edge.

Click to expand...

Again the grip is (a little) deeper on the Nikon...maybe the D300 is different than the D200?...

Sigmauser01 said:

The Nikon has a very solid structural feeling to the body like it was made for rugged use in any environment. The SD14 feels solidly made but more refined and elegant like a well designed tool instead of a universal black brick. I wouldn't however say it is as tough as the D200 body in terms of materials or sealing. Even with large aperture zoom lenses on both bodies they were well balanced, I think better than the Canon 20/30/40/50D series. Neither are as well rounded or solid as the D3 or Mark pro bodies but I would say they are both in a class of their own for crop sensor bodies.

Click to expand...

I agree

Sigmauser01 said:

Ergonomics wise they are pretty close. The D200 has like 30 buttons all over the body but you really only ever use about 6 of them in normal shooting. The Sd14 controls are much cleaner and easier to get to but there were not as many options for setting up or choosing things. Both menu systems are pretty close as well, The Nikon is faster to access and make changes to but the Sigma is much more simplistic. It depends on how much of a "button pusher" you are I think.

Click to expand...

I agree but must ad that you use a lot the few access buttons on the Nikon and the AF dial on the Sigma still is very primitive...the AF on the Nikon is very fast to change and access...even in the lower end models....

Sigmauser01 said:

Size wise they are pretty close, in fact they are really close. I was also shooting Canon 5D's at the time and both were shorter in height than the FF body. I really don't think size is an issue at all because they are so close. I would be more interested with the performance and user features. I can tell you in good light the SD14 IQ mopped the floor with anything the D200 could do. I hated the crappy Sony sensor in the D200. But the Sd14 was like a turtle chasing a rabbit in term of performance, it was really far behind.

Click to expand...

For some subjects, mainly foliage and translucent subjects the Sigma is better, for low light like you said the Nikon is better...as for performance the SD15 seems much better now....but not as good still as a D90...

Sigmauser01 said:

If I was offered either body I would take the Nikon simply because it's operation and speed better fits my needs. However I would still secretly wish I was getting the Sigma IQ.

Click to expand...

Yes again...

Sigmauser01 said:

Hope that helps.

Click to expand...

--

Think about photography books and classes before any kind of gear....without knowledge, no camera is useful....

Carlos Roncatti Bomfim

I have to say one infuriating thing that really pees me off about the SD15 is the control dial, or rather the 'activating' of it.

eg; If I am using shutter priority, I generally have it set on 1/160th as default. Then I will change to suit the subject/activity etc.

Now, if I have just switched the camera on it is OK. I can check I have the right shutter speed by looking on the top display panel, without having to look through the viewfinder and rotate the c-dial if necessary. But after a few seconds this blanks and even in the viewfinder the info has gone. I cannot then change the shutter speed. It means a 'half-press' of the shutter to wake it up again.

Am I missing something? is there away that the top display can be left on all the time or the shutter can be adjusted without all this 'half-pressing'?

barrykap said:

Am I missing something? is there away that the top display can be left on all the time or the shutter can be adjusted without all this 'half-pressing'?

Click to expand...

Look at both the LCD Off and Power Off options.

You can either disable the LCD power off, or change the settings from 10seconds, 30sec, 1min, 2min, 5min, or 10min.

Hope that helps

--
Not really a doctor, I only play one in the username field.

Thanks.

But that is just for the main colour LCD display power, not the top LCD.

Seems it's not just the LCD power cut-off, but it disables shutter changing too (until you half-press the shutter button).

Puzzling. I am sure there is an answer somewhere???

Cheers.

barry

barrykap said:

Puzzling. I am sure there is an answer somewhere???

Cheers.

barry

Click to expand...

Could it be in the manual?

--
Sincere regards, Jim Roelofs

May you too discover the light on your journey.

Please visit my gallery at http://www.pbase.com/jrdigitalart/

I own both a D300 and SD9, DP1, SD14 and SD15. I prefer shooting the Sigmas due to the streamlined interface (reminds me of the good old days of Nikon 35mm film). I vastly prefer SPP to Capture NX/NX2 for processing RAWs. The big advantage of the D300 was buffer size and processing speed. This has been addressed in the SD15. I still shoot the D300 with a used Sigma EX 500mm f4.5 prime as I couldn't afford a new lens in Sigma mount. (I shoot lots of avian and wildlife) Other than this specialty area I've stuck with Sigma for the IQ.
--
Barry Byrd
http://www.pbase.com/barryb
http://www.pbase.com/sigmadslr

'Liking it ain't required'
Gary Hale
1952-2008

I have been very pleased with the build quality of my SD14. I am careful but, have used it in a lot of different conditions from desert to snow to light rain (do keep it protected). I do a lot of hiking with it. I have not noticed any wear on the dials/knobs/switches or case where I rest my hands.

I am careful with some parts of it though. For example, the CF card slot is covered with a plastic door and I am careful to not leave it open after removing a card.

The SD14 fits very well in my hand. It is very comfortable to use.