Is a new Sigma APS-C camera in the offing...?

Iain G Foulds wrote:

Hulyss Bowman wrote:

I tried to wrap my head around the idea of a new APS-C Foveon but didn't found any raisons for Sigma to do it today.

I'm far more attracted by the F13 sensor rendering, before the the DPx and SD15. For the history of the thing, the SD14, DP1 (1s), DP2 (2s) had a base ISO of 50 and a lower noise floor than the latest X variant and the SD15 and far lower than the Merril.

The OG F13, per Foveon Inc.

This have nothing to do with the sensor itself (F13) but with the DAC behind it. The SD15 was already a regression (as well as the DP1/2x) because their ability to blow highlights was very high compared to post DAC mod. I used them extensively as a pro back in the days and notified this difference immediately (and bought back a DP2s to keep consistency).

The DP2s was imho the pinacle of the F13, with ISO 50 (not common at this time), very good color rendition and of course, acutance, size. The poor man Leica.

Look at the quality of the DP2s, even on the OG catalogue ...

The Merril's where just mind-blowing at a perpixel resolving power standpoint. But the colors and renditions where not as natural as the f13. Let say it was a tour de force in the pixel piping world. Ppl was more focused on PP at that time, the more the better ... but the Merrill was not that good, at all.

Then we started to desire an FF variant of the foveon, way before the Quattro variant. Two clans was formed, one for a stretched Merrill with bazillion pixels (crop pp people) and one for a stretched low pixel density F13 sensor.

I wish that Sigma is returning to the original F13 sensor, let say a 3x15 Mpix refined sensor. I do not feel they need to compet with any other brands and just concentrate on color, subtleness and some better performances.

The FP body might be a good start to overcome some of the foveon shortcomings, with 3 fixed lenses ofc.

We must be patient I guess

Edit :

I also wish they implement a different lens for the DP2 variant. As a Nikon Shooter, the inexpensive 40f2Z is just absolutely gorgeous and versatile. They should build a DP2ff with this kind of lens imho.

… Thanks for the good summary. Though being simply a colour enthusiast, I have ordered a DP2x over a DP2s this week (Already have, and love, my DP2).

… Will there be a noticeably sacrifice at base ISO shooting? And, can you offer any shooting/ processing tips with the “x” to compensate?

As far as I remember, I was always looking for the highlights, especially with the SD15. It was a supplemental step. Always looking for the correct settings. So I played around with exposure comp a lot but was not able to grab all the substance of my photos like with the DP2s at ISO 50. Despite the evident limitations of the DP2s, it was a neat camera, with a flash and a better Af than the SD15 (contrast vs phase). So for humans the DP was better. The Dp Merrill needed a truck load of processing to look "good" especially on humans. As I said it was imho a PP dream machine.

Dp2s B&W ISO50

Dp2s Color ISO50 + internal flash. Best Sigma Skin tones ever.

As far as an eventual future APS-C foveon (appart if it is an inexpensive tech demonstrator to wait till FF is alive), there is no room for it. At least the DP triplet thing.

If you look around, it is just crowded by Nikon, Richo, fuji and sony with very able products... For exemple I was looking at the GRIII yesterday with the telephoto adapter. This thing is far more capable than a DP3m (at around 900USD used today ...) and incorporate a DP1 and a DP2 for the same price.

Best wish for sigma, if the new foveon is awesome, is making a masterDP and lens accessory's such as wide converter and lele converter, like other brands. It save money.