DP3 Merrill + Strobes

I do a lot of portraits. Mostly I use a m4/3 camera with a 45mm lens to give me a 90mm 35m Film lens equivalent focal length - works just right for head and shoulders in a typical room.

I recently bought a second hand DP2x - have been shooting with it on the street for a couple of weeks and love it. Reallt happy with the results I have been getting.

I'm thinking of getting a DP3M (which would give me the same 90mm equivalent focal length I am used to) but have one outstanding issue.

Indoors I prsume I will have to shoot with strobes, I am used to this and do it all the time. However I have heard some comments that you really dont get the best results with a combination of the Foveon sensor and single frequency (color temp) strobe lighting. Clealy this is a worry for me.

Is anyone using the DP3M with artificial lighting for portrait work? Would you like to share your thoughts / experiences? Are the stories I've heard true or groundless?

Any thoughts / help much appreciated.

As I don't do studio work I'm not really answering your question but I've experienced no noticeable image problems using foveon (DP1 & DP3M) and Nikon flashes.  It strikes me that you might test this with your DP2X.

As mentioned above, DP3M is a 75mm equivalent, the new Foveon sensor is a 1.5 crop, not 1.7 as previous generation.

While Sigma cameras tend to have challenges with some artificial light and incandescent light in particular, I can't remember complaints when used with a flash. In fact, my own limited experience with a DP3M and a cheap Metz flash has been quite positive.

I would try the DP-2x you have with strobes, as the result should not be too dissimilar...

I have done some model shots in studio off and on and think the camera works great with flash. Here are some SD-1 examples shooting at the studio Sigma had set up at their CES booth:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/kigiphoto/sets/72157632515761898/

The DP-3M should look quite similar to those, just a bit sharper at the edges.

One example image:

The Merrill sensor works very good with flashlight. Have a look at some of my basic studio shots. I'm using several studio flash heads, a Metz 45CT strobe (potato masher) and several Sigma strobes with my DP3M or DP2M. Here is another album of shots with the EM-140 DG Macro Flash.

Edit: The DP3M is usable for portrait but you need to be careful with mixed lighting as with other cameras as well.

Uwe 8-)

Thanks Guys for all the answers. Lots of useful feedback - really helpful.

So I just ordered a DP3M - should be here in about a week.

Thanks for the help guys.

PrebenR wrote:

Johan Borg wrote:

As mentioned above, DP3M is a 75mm equivalent, the new Foveon sensor is a 1.5 crop, not 1.7 as previous generation.

While Sigma cameras tend to have challenges with some artificial light and incandescent light in particular, I can't remember complaints when used with a flash. In fact, my own limited experience with a DP3M and a cheap Metz flash has been quite positive.

I have never had a problem, but could it be that those issues are related to if you only shoot JPGs?

Absolutely not. In my experience, you are far more likely to weird white balance results from JPEGs than than RAWs. Skin tones will be harder to control as well.

PrebenR wrote:

SigmaChrome wrote:

PrebenR wrote:

While Sigma cameras tend to have challenges with some artificial light and incandescent light in particular, I can't remember complaints when used with a flash. In fact, my own limited experience with a DP3M and a ch eap Metz flash has been quite positive.

I have never had a problem, but could it be that those issues are related to if you only shoot JPGs?

Absolutely not. In my experience, you are far more likely to weird white balance results from JPEGs than than RAWs. Skin tones will be harder to control as well.

Huh? That is what I said. Shooting RAW you simply correct for it afterwards, doesn't matter what WB you used. For JPGs it is not easy.

My bad. I misread your post.

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Lightwriting with Sigma