abijake
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Regular Member
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Posts: 148
Welcome back DP2s and goodbye SD1 Merrill
Nov 14, 2016
9
My journey with Foveon started with a Sigma DP1s and then a DP2s. I sold these on an upgrade path through DP2 Merrill then to SD1 Merrill. I have used the SD1 Merrill extensively as an infrared camera and have posted here regarding its use. It was a successful camera for me until I scratched the sensor whilst cleaning some dust away.
I loved my SD1 Merrill but have always pined for a certain quality from the DP2s. I regretted selling it!
The colour, small size and a very special monochrome feel when shot at ISO 50 were for me hallmarks of the DP2s.
I could have kept the SD 1 but I chose not to. Its big and the 18-35mm makes it a big duo. In my view the achilles heel of that camera is the impression that the sensor is easily scratched. When using this camera as a non IR camera that does that not matter. But taking the dust cover off (to do IR) means sensor cleaning.
Why was the sensor scratched so easily? Did I use too much force or did Sigma not figure that IR users would need to clean the sensor often and made its glass cover too soft? I don't have the answers.
Repairing the SD1 was not economically feasible. And if easily scratched it will happen again anyway. Buying a Quattro was another costly solution and the weight and size, and the poor EVF were not tempting.
But I could not leave Foveon behind. In the end I sold out my Merrill gear and have gone back to what I miss by repurchasing a DP2s.
Maybe that era was the heyday of Foveon ?? That is debatable but I feel lucky to have found another of that model. And for IR I have bought a Panasonic GX1 dedicated to IR.
Below are some images from my previous DP2s (new one yet to arrive) which I hope demonstrates the magic of that camera.



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