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DP2 after two years

Started Oct 8, 2014 | User reviews
MarkLand Senior Member • Posts: 1,845
DP2 after two years
4

I've shot this camera for nearly two years (December 2012) and have found it to produce absolutely wonderful images.  The machine itself has limitations which are worth dealing with to obtain those images.

It is fantastic on a tripod with relatively fixed objects (landscape, portraits, still-life) and useful up to, and including, ISO 400.  Clean, sharp images which allow a lot of freedom in managing dynamic range and colors during post processing.  Some of the very best landscape shots I have are taken with this super light-weight 45mm equiv. lens camera.

Limitations are well documented but here you go:

short battery life (managed by reducing time for live-view and image review but bring 2 or 3 spares for a day of shooting)

static subjects only

extremely motion blur sensitive (I can hand-hold a 5DII & 1DIV using non IS lenses but it's much more difficult with the DP2) meaning 1/100th s or faster shutter

slow on-board image processing

awkward post processing software.

That said, this camera has allowed me to obtain some nice images on hikes where the larger machines were not practical to carry.  All said, I'll be opening my wallet when Sigma generates that Foveon "full-frame" at some 100MP equivalent, DSLR or 'compact'.  Wonderful images from a

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Sigma DP2 Merrill
15 megapixels • 50 mm
Announced: Feb 8, 2012
MarkLand's score
4.0
Average community score
4.3
bad for good for
Kids / pets
weak
Action / sports
poor
Landscapes / scenery
excellent
Portraits
excellent
Low light (without flash)
good
Flash photography (social)
good
Studio / still life
excellent
= community average
Sigma DP2 Sigma DP2 Merrill
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Scottelly
Scottelly Forum Pro • Posts: 18,026
Re: DP2 after two years

Thank you Mark.

 Scottelly's gear list:Scottelly's gear list
Sony SLT-A65 Nikon D810 Sigma sd Quattro H Nikon AF-S Nikkor 200-400mm f/4G ED-IF VR Sony DT 18-55mm F3.5-5.6 SAM +27 more
Jim Beverlin Veteran Member • Posts: 4,890
Re: DP2 after two years

Excellent report and I agree with your comments 100%.  I have a DP2X and a DP3M.  Hands down I still like the DP2X over the DP3M.  Part is focal length (believe the actual length is closer to 41mm vs. 45mm) and the other would be my inexperience with the DP3M which is a much more challenging camera.  Plus, you get huge files (some are around 50 MB) vs. about 15 - 20 MB with the DP2X.

Within the last 2 weeks I took images with the DP2X while touring Ft Williams in Thunder Bay Ontario.  A lot of the interior shots had high contrast and I was amazed how well the DP2X handled these conditions.  Used a Giotto monopod which works great with the DP cameras.

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JRB

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