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Is SD1M really the same IQ as DPxM?

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Kwick1

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I've seen quite a few stunning shots from the DPxM series, but not as many with the SD1M.

If using high quality lenses, are the outputs identical? I have a DP2M arriving tis week, but sometimes would like the flexibility of a DSLR.

Same sensor and imaging pipeline? I really want to keep that Foveon look.
 
I have a SD1. Wish it were a DP3M. Enough said?
 
Well, not really. You may want the DP3M for the size or some other reason.

Could you please elaborate?
 
Kwick1 said:
Kwick1 wrote:

I've seen quite a few stunning shots from the DPxM series, but not as many with the SD1M.

If using high quality lenses, are the outputs identical? I have a DP2M arriving tis week, but sometimes would like the flexibility of a DSLR.

Same sensor and imaging pipeline? I really want to keep that Foveon look.

--
Thanks,
Mark
http://www.olwickphotography.com
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Kwick1

I would say yes.

S
 
The SLR lenses are designed to operate with many different cameras, with a lot of clearance for the mirror box. The DPxM lenses are designed to operate with the 15Mp Foveon sensor, with no necessity for interchanging. They can be closer to the sensor because they have no clearance requirement for a mirror box. This gives the DPxMs an advantage similar to the one the micro 4/3 system has have over the SLR 4/3 system. The main advantage is probably that the lenses can be smaller. The front element on the DP2M is tiny (much smaller than the rear element) but the image quality is far ahead of any SLR 30 mm lens. There are little Nikon and Ricoh lenses for similar (but Bayer sensor) cameras to the DPxM that are probably just as good.

All that said, the SD1 with the 70mm and 150mm macros could be close. That is probably the way to go for outstanding telephoto Foveon images. For wide angle I'm doing well with a DP2M and a Nodal Ninja pano head.
 
As much as I love my DP2 and DP3 cameras, I recently bought an SD1, for the ability to change lenses. I picked up the 35mm 1.4, the 85mm 1.4, and found an older 14mm 2.8 prime. I have found these primes to be superb when used with the SD1. I'm quite pleased with the results I'm getting with these lenses on the SD1. They won't be enough to give up the DP's, because I do like the size factor of using the DP2 & 3 cameras when I want to travel light, particularly on biz trips. IQ on all of these cameras as we all know is quite breath taking.
 
Kwick1 said:
Kwick1 wrote:

I've seen quite a few stunning shots from the DPxM series, but not as many with the SD1M.

If using high quality lenses, are the outputs identical? I have a DP2M arriving tis week, but sometimes would like the flexibility of a DSLR.

Same sensor and imaging pipeline? I really want to keep that Foveon look.
Click to expand...
 
Kwick1 said:
Kwick1 wrote:

Well, not really. You may want the DP3M for the size or some other reason.

Could you please elaborate?

--
Thanks,
Mark
http://www.olwickphotography.com
Click to expand...
I agree with other posters that not only is the image quality of these various cameras similar but also it is different in subtle ways.

From what I've seen from the DP3M, I believe it offers generally better color than my SD1 (non-M). I tried my SD1 with my 50mm F2.8 EX DG Macro, carried it around all day and used it like I might use a DP3M. I think this combination is very nearly equal to the DP3M generally (same level of detail and so on).

I think the DP3M would deliver better colors than I am getting, but maybe it is just that I am not happy having to lug around the big SD1 outfit, focus bracket to get a good shot, etc.

I think the SD1 series would have been upgraded in firmware if it were possible to implement contrast autofocus using the sensor. Nope, but maybe with the SD2, if we ever see one.

Sure, there is lots of versatility possible with the SD1/SD1M, but it also takes more dedication to get a good shot out of it. I'm getting tired of exerting all that effort, and keep thinking about just going with a DP3M.

At this point I have a Fuji X-E1 and am having fun with it. Not as good images with it but it really is a heck of a lot easier to get a keeper, at least for me. Mostly, my Sigma gear sits in a drawer.

--
Tom Schum
 
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Tom Schum said:
Tom Schum wrote:

At this point I have a Fuji X-E1 and am having fun with it. Not as good images with it but it really is a heck of a lot easier to get a keeper, at least for me.
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Depending on the lens, XE-1 images are often better than a Foveon shot.

Granted, if goodness requires extremely high resolution and microtexture across the frame, Foveons are better for those shots.

If goodness is a result of smooth falloff from point of focus to the out of focus areas, if goodness is color that you can balance or change to your aesthetic in post without tearing your hair out, then the key is the right lens on an XE-1.
 
Charles2 said:
Charles2 wrote:
Charles2 said:
Tom Schum wrote:

At this point I have a Fuji X-E1 and am having fun with it. Not as good images with it but it really is a heck of a lot easier to get a keeper, at least for me.
Click to expand...
Depending on the lens, XE-1 images are often better than a Foveon shot.

Granted, if goodness requires extremely high resolution and microtexture across the frame, Foveons are better for those shots.

If goodness is a result of smooth falloff from point of focus to the out of focus areas, if goodness is color that you can balance or change to your aesthetic in post without tearing your hair out, then the key is the right lens on an XE-1.
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Which of the available lenses for the XE-1 would qualify to achieve such "goodness" in your experience?
 
Auesro said:
Auesro wrote:

Which of the available lenses for the XE-1 would qualify to achieve such "goodness" in your experience?
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It is a matter of taste. I like manual focus lenses like the Zeiss Sonnar C 50/1.5, some of the Pentax Takumars, and a few less expensive Leicas.
 
Jvlahakis said:
jvecos wrote:

As much as I love my DP2 and DP3 cameras, I recently bought an SD1, for the ability to change lenses. I picked up the 35mm 1.4, the 85mm 1.4, and found an older 14mm 2.8 prime. I have found these primes to be superb when used with the SD1. I'm quite pleased with the results I'm getting with these lenses on the SD1. They won't be enough to give up the DP's, because I do like the size factor of using the DP2 & 3 cameras when I want to travel light, particularly on biz trips. IQ on all of these cameras as we all know is quite breath taking.
Click to expand...
I have an 85mm F1.4 for my SD1 also. I can recommend it without reservation. Best prime I have ever owned.




85mm + SD1, handheld



--
Tom Schum
 
Kwick1 said:
Kwick1 wrote:

I've seen quite a few stunning shots from the DPxM series, but not as many with the SD1M.

If using high quality lenses, are the outputs identical? I have a DP2M arriving tis week, but sometimes would like the flexibility of a DSLR.

Same sensor and imaging pipeline? I really want to keep that Foveon look.
Click to expand...
 
IVN said:
As for the DP3M: I think you could use the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 on the SD1 to get really close to the DP3M. But you would lose the close up performance of the DP3M.
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The 50mm 2.8 macro lens would come closer i guess, and you don't lose close up performance.
 
Member said:
maceoQ wrote:
Member said:
As for the DP3M: I think you could use the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 on the SD1 to get really close to the DP3M. But you would lose the close up performance of the DP3M.
Click to expand...
The 50mm 2.8 macro lens would come closer i guess, and you don't lose close up performance.You are right.
Click to expand...
You are right. The 50mm macro totally slipped my mind.
 
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