Contre Jour
New member
An update to my post six months ago. I have edited the old post down for ease of
reading.
Having used the camera for a year now I have upgraded the construction mark to 5
because it is superbly put together and I've increased the ease of use to 3 because
although it is unforgiving it shouldn't take a proficient photographer long to get to
grips with it.
Sigma have just released a new version of Photo Pro the software that develops the
images from the SD14. This is in my opinion the most significant development
since the camera was released. The processing speed has now been improved and
the highlight control does work better.
The SD14 is almost another another media going beyond regular digital and adding
film behaviour. The dynamic range is phenomenal.
6 Months ago...
My background is in manual 35mm and medium format. I
wanted a digital camera that was as close to an 'old fashioned' manual slr as
possible and after much research I settled on the SD14.
I have rated the features as average. This is not a criticism but an advantage for
purists like myself. This is not a camera for those who want lots of scene modes or
other gimmicks.
It is possible to get amazing images from the SD14 but it needs good lenses
(Sigma’s EX range) and huge amounts of perseverance from the user. Any lack of
quality in the lens will adversely affect the sensors response.
The amount of perseverance you’re prepared to tolerate will depend on
your photographic style. If you're a competent methodical photographer who
fully understands the precise advantages and disadvantages of camera adjustments
to get the best image and the patience to keep trying to get that great photo then
this is for you.
If you are in any doubt about this walk away, this is an extremely
unforgiving camera and in the wrong hands it can produce awful results that don't
do it justice.
The SD14 benefits a lot from a high speed compact flash card and a decent flash,
diffused.
In the right hands of a very patient photographer it will produce amazing quality
images, although the resolution is good it cannot be compared to 14 megapixels.
That said the SD14 is about more than megapixels, it's dynamic range is v.wide and
behaves like film, the colours are very realistic, the special soft/'knocked out' out
look that can be achieved with the X3 Fill function is amazing and unique to this
series of cameras and there is a huge amount of creative control.
Problems:
Auto focus can be a bit hit and miss with some lenses.
Battery tends not to last very long when making many long exposures.
Definitely needs high speed compact flash card otherwise it can be quite slow.
reading.
Having used the camera for a year now I have upgraded the construction mark to 5
because it is superbly put together and I've increased the ease of use to 3 because
although it is unforgiving it shouldn't take a proficient photographer long to get to
grips with it.
Sigma have just released a new version of Photo Pro the software that develops the
images from the SD14. This is in my opinion the most significant development
since the camera was released. The processing speed has now been improved and
the highlight control does work better.
The SD14 is almost another another media going beyond regular digital and adding
film behaviour. The dynamic range is phenomenal.
6 Months ago...
My background is in manual 35mm and medium format. I
wanted a digital camera that was as close to an 'old fashioned' manual slr as
possible and after much research I settled on the SD14.
I have rated the features as average. This is not a criticism but an advantage for
purists like myself. This is not a camera for those who want lots of scene modes or
other gimmicks.
It is possible to get amazing images from the SD14 but it needs good lenses
(Sigma’s EX range) and huge amounts of perseverance from the user. Any lack of
quality in the lens will adversely affect the sensors response.
The amount of perseverance you’re prepared to tolerate will depend on
your photographic style. If you're a competent methodical photographer who
fully understands the precise advantages and disadvantages of camera adjustments
to get the best image and the patience to keep trying to get that great photo then
this is for you.
If you are in any doubt about this walk away, this is an extremely
unforgiving camera and in the wrong hands it can produce awful results that don't
do it justice.
The SD14 benefits a lot from a high speed compact flash card and a decent flash,
diffused.
In the right hands of a very patient photographer it will produce amazing quality
images, although the resolution is good it cannot be compared to 14 megapixels.
That said the SD14 is about more than megapixels, it's dynamic range is v.wide and
behaves like film, the colours are very realistic, the special soft/'knocked out' out
look that can be achieved with the X3 Fill function is amazing and unique to this
series of cameras and there is a huge amount of creative control.
Problems:
Auto focus can be a bit hit and miss with some lenses.
Battery tends not to last very long when making many long exposures.
Definitely needs high speed compact flash card otherwise it can be quite slow.