Gvie up on SD1? Pentax K-1/ar7ii? Need advice.

PTemple wrote:

Hey guys...

After 3 weeks of back and forth with Sigma, they can't resolve the color problems that the cam is having with wide angle lenses--even their own wide angles. They're offering me a refund and I'm considering it.

Sounds like your particular unit may be the problem. They are plenty of users here who don't have colour issues with WA lenses.

What model camera are you referring to? I'm guessing an sdQ(H)?

I love the Foveon concept, but is there a, iso 100 IQ advantage for Foveon versus say a Pentax K-1? I can get a refurb k-1 for 1200. What in your mind are some things the SD1 does better?

You simply have to work differently with Sigma cameras. You have to slow down and meter carefully - learn how to get the most out of your gear and post processing. The results are can be very rewarding.

I've been looking at the test images on imageresource.com and comparing zoo tigers on Flickr from the Sigma and the Pentax..... zoo tigers and the sonoran desert because I grew up there. The sigma pics indeed look different and somewhat filmic, but it's hard to argue with nearly double the dynamic range on the K-1 (7 vs 14). Detail looks comparable to my eye, more detail on the Pentax, arguably more color info on the sigma....then again if 1/4 of the image has gone to black or white because of DR then there goes that advantage.

Bottom line: I miss MF film. No cartoony flat digital greens, no problems with flesh tones/reds, no problems with highlights provided you're careful. And very little editing.

FF Foveon may never happen or may be beyond my budget for the next 3-4 years. I have a wonderful old EF 100-400 4.5-5.6 L Canon lens with no current use as a sold my 7d for the Sigma... Would sell the lens to get money for better sigma lens, but not confident in the system given the issues I'm having. Film gear I can't afford to use.

I need something for the next couple years that won't be a total money pit while i wait for FF foveon to maybe pan out.