Another quirktastic camera from Sigma....... Locked

LEOXES wrote:

Not going to quote coz its too long.. few points reading the fun argument here:

1. Decent review, slightly bias in the way you say it IMO which I accept you being liking the gear, the overall performance of handling in different aspects is clear in the review. I would simply ignore the overall star rating to start with, that chart clearly tells a better store, it's a star rating on its own for each aspect like High ISO, etc.

2. Star ratings is, IMHO, overrated. We all know that with the ever increasing over specialisation of gears to make a niche position in this overly competitive market is essential to survive. All serious Photographers here of ANY type would not buy an "all-rounder", because it would means they are not the best in what you need them to do, be it landscape or sports etc etc.

Sorry deviated to economics and business, but I think SIGMA is a well respected company out there to make money, not just to make us argue or some of us superhappy/sad about its design.

Off topic, sorry I am unfamiliar with this sensor technology, why is it poor in low light / high iso environment? Would it work if I have a tripod and a long exposure ? Would the situation improves? Happy to read other posts you refer me to learn more about this sensor, my opinion is neutral and here to learn more about this interesting looking camera.

I am new to DPR, so please don't be too mean ;-).

Thanks!

Fair comments and welcome to the bear pit that is DPR. To qualify about this camera, it's specialism is low ISO very high quality images. The output is more like film than any other non foveon camera, and it behaves very similar to film, which was the designers intent.

I will almost always shoot at ISO 100/200, above that I will shoot black and white up to ISO1600. Unlike bayer cameras, and like negative film, the shadows block quickly but the highlights are very smooth and don't clip to white as abruptly as bayer sensors. You can shoot lowlight on a tripod no problem, longer exposures over 2 minutes are not so good. It's a specialist tool for people who like to shoot the best quality at base ISO.

It also has excellent colour properties at ISO100/200, the colour and tones are much more like film, which I like very much. There are obviously some caveats, the camera is not rapid to operate, but its quick enough and quicker than shooting film in most respects.

Shooting foveon is the photographic equivalent of marmite, people either love foveon cameras or hate them. When you know what you are doing the results are often stunning, and the SDQ/H are probably the easiest Foveon cameras to shoot with in my experience. If you're a spray and pray kind of guy then they will not be for you. If you have some patience then you will be rewarded with images that have their own unique and very special look.

Many people use the word "stunning" when they process well taken files for the first time, I don't think it's an overstatement. When I process shots from these cameras and nail it then the files always make me smile, there is almost a hyper-realism with Foveon files at times, due to the superb sharpness, colour and micro-contrast, and they're excellent for black and white shots as well, much like film.