x3 FFF- one other problem ...

D Cox wrote:

danski0224 wrote:

Mr Giggles wrote:

Seems that a FF a few years from now will have to go against Fuji aggressive pricing of their 100 mp medium format cameras

with the 100s now 6 grand one of of 3 things could happen

1) Sigma would have to price the FF FOVEON at about 3 grand after 6 years of $$$$$$ development to attract potential Fuji MF customers

2) Fuj could counter with a 150 mp sensor

3) Fuji could create a dedicated Monochrome to steal the hi rez landscape hobbyists

4) advancements in AI software such as DXO " DEEP PRIME" are allowing the high iso images to reach astounding quality in even small micro 4/3 sensor cameras - this software wont work with foveon putting Sigma at an enormous disadvantage if the new sensor is a daytime only type camera in the same vein as the SD15

I could care less about what Fuji releases. I don't have any Fuji mini medium format lenses or accessories.

On the other hand, I do care about what Canon releases, because I already own stuff that will work. Doesn't mean that I will be able to (or want to) rush out and buy it whenever that happens.

Sigma is fully capable of creating a stills camera with a customized Bayer sensor. Sigma can also create one that is a dedicated monochrome camera (unless the L mount alliance leaves that for Leica).

I don't think that the Foveon side project is dead. I do think that it will take a while longer. Whether or not people will rush in to buy one at that point in time is an unknown.

Sigma is in a pickle though.

They killed off their SA mount cameras without having a replacement product ready to sell. Sigma killed off the sensor fab relations for the Quattro sensors. Sigma can't make any more Quattro cameras- those will likely run out at some point.

While the SA mount lenses haven't been officially killed off, there haven't been any new releases, and it seems that all (most) of the non Global Vision stuff has been discontinued.

I have no desire to buy a Sigma fp.

In my opinion, unless the Foveon can be released sooner rather than later (doubtful), Sigma needs to put together one or two stills oriented cameras with Bayer sensors (color and maybe monochrome) to keep interest in Sigma cameras.

The fp is one Bayer stills camera. Maybe a model with more pixels and a faster electronic shutter will be the second.

You can completely ignore the video side of the fp. The video/stills switch is a very good design feature.

Those that want the Foveon will buy one when/if it is released, and probably at almost any price.

It may well be beyond my budget, which will be frustrating. But you can't have everything you want.

Sigma without a camera to sell isn't a good position to be in. The sdQuattro sales probably tanked the day after the FFF announcement was made.

But they do have a camera to sell.

Don Cox

From what I have read over the years Sigma is committed to having a camera for sale. They must have put a lot into the fp, from the looks of it and all its accessories. I don't think they are committed to only making Foveon cameras. But one issue has been the high cost of making the small or limited run Foveon sensor cameras and the (assumed) loss on each camera sold. And how many people really want to wrestle with the Foveon sensor issues when the best results are, shall we say, somewhat difficult to produce, or even ascertain? Most of the time the results will be slightly better than Bayer, assuming the lighting works out well, but really it is like shooting slide film compared to a lower contrast (and slightly more functional) print film kind of image of the Bayer sensor.

I currently own and use the sp Quattro (non H). It is a very good camera. I paid about $1000 for it, which I think was a (very) reasonable price for a camera that does what it does. Is it a perfect camera? No, but there is no perfect camera anyway. Tastes and needs differ.

I like the fp, although I think it might be more (conventionally) useful, for stills, with a real (built in) viewfinder. I expect Sigma to produce a higher priced FF Foveon. Break-even pricing? At last?