How can Sigma make sure the FFF is the best success it can be? Locked

As far as I understand, and I might be wrong, x3f is a format specially licensed for the Foveon and made by Foveon inc. The whole package was bought in 2008 and Sigma/Foveon team crafted Sigma Photo Pro for consumers, able to decode the intricate x3f raw datas.

But, with the Quattro they included an "in camera" decoder able to translate the x3f in DNG for more universal purposes. Since I never used a Quattro I can't judge if the DNG files was on par with the x3f files. If the x3f files are still superiors in IQ manipulation than the DNG then, imho, the DNG are kinda useless if SPP is free. 3 formats inside the camera instead of 2 like everybody. Waste of computing recourses based only on complains about SPP being too slow ? If I remember correctly, SPP was slow with the Merrill's x3f but far less with the Quattro.

So SIGMA might keep the .x3f file extension but completely revamp the code behind and ditching the DNG. The implementation in RAW decoders is an another super critical subject. The F13 .x3f output was readable on most RAW apps back in the days but not as good as SPP. The Merrill stopped that maybe because of the resources needed to handle the task I dunno.

If they are making for real a 24x36 1.1.1 Architecture foveon ... there is poor chance that any RAW app will support it. 3 full layers blend is computation heavy, depending of the pixel count too.

prototype

As we all can see, since some times now, the whole Foveon universe became invisible on internet. The DP website is down, the links to the brochures of old SD/DP is down (I still host some on my server for historical purpose), the marvelous mini musical sites are impossible to find or summonable anymore. links are dead or rerouted to GLOBAL... Bear in mind that all of this cleaning is done by SIgma and Sigma only and I find it kind of sad/alarming.

So, yea. Sigma cleaned their past (and what made them kind of popular and unique). Since they are communicating on this new foveon and, apparently, want to make it a reality, I think they will reinvent it from the ground up.

Better sensor but still 1.1.1 with Phase/contrast detect on ship, complet revamp of signal processing in camera (more analog than digital), better power management / temp control / EM shielding, in camera stabilisation (maybe), absolutely brand new and different SPP (might not be able to decode previous gens of foveons), maybe 16bit RAW datas for perfect color gradations and transitions, DNG support (maybe). All about Hifi colors and speed of workflow. If video is possible why not ... but personally I will not cry if there is no video.

If this is the plan, yea. The Foveon 2.0 might be a complet reinvention of the wheel for them. It might so subdivise also into a new line of APS-C Dp and the MILC Full frame or Full Frame DP, but the delta between old gen and new gen should be absolutely drastic.