Advice on Sigma SD's

[downunder3]

I am totally new to this forum. Quite a long time ago I stumbled across and was able to pick up the three DPM's for about half price when the Quattro DP's were introduced. I have to admit I didn't then know what I was getting into but now I really really love my 3 DPM's and consider that lucky purchase as one of my best ever camera buys. I don't use the Merrills for my general photography. I tend to use them when out by myself (away from the family) for the day and know I can take my tripod and my time taking a photo and thoroughly enjoy that experience. It is totally different to being out with my Nikon D7200 (which I also love) or Nikon D700. I would class myself as an experienced amateur.

At the time I bought the Merrills, I had heard of but not taken any notice of the Sigma SD1 Merrill and have only in the last few days become aware of the Sigma SD Quattro and SD Quattro H. I am now starting to consider the option of buying one of these cameras and connecting it with a zoom lens for a focal length not already covered by my three DPM's.

Pricewise the Sigma SD Quattro is most appealing but I really don't know how it would compare in producing quality photos equivalent to that of my three Merrills. I love and am very happy with the three Merrills. My fear is that I will be disappointed if I buy one of the SD cameras and they don't meet the standard set by the Merrills. Of course, I also know the lens is also a major consideration if I want quality photos which of course is the main reason for buying a sigma. Sooo, is there a quality (but not massively expensive) telephoto lens (rarely do I need anything more than 200mm focal length in FX terms - I tend to use the Sigma 18-35mm and Tokina 50-135mm on my D7200) that would suit my use. Because of constraints on finances, I know that if I am to buy it would almost certainly be on the secondhand market. I would love to hear recommendations from users of these Sigma cameras.

 

[rb dwn]

The 100-300 f4, which (if you're patient) can be found second-hand between $500-1000, is a really nice lens. I have it for the sd1 and it's a good match. I don't know how it would behave (AF wise) on the SD Quattro. I've also used it with the mc-11 on a Sony A7 (no AF but still nice and sharp).

If you're after more range and can cop the lower speed, the 18-300 is surprisingly good for the price.

There's also the recently released 100-400, which is also slowish, but apparently very good.

 

[xpatUSA]

The 100-300 f4, which (if you're patient) can be found second-hand between $500-1000, is a really nice lens. I have it for the sd1 and it's a good match. I don't know how it would behave (AF wise) on the SD Quattro. I've also used it with the mc-11 on a Sony A7 (no AF but still nice and sharp).

If you're after more range and can cop the lower speed, the 18-300 is surprisingly good for the price.

There's also the recently released 100-400, which is also slowish, but apparently very good.

But he said rarely 200mm "FX" which is 135mm "DC" ...

I looked here but it's not likely to work well on an sd Quattro; so that would imply buying an SD1M which works well with every DC/DG lens on the planet ... ;-)

 

[joe173]

THe look will be different but I think you can mostly duplicate it in photoshop and/or SPP if you are willing to spent the time fiddling. Anything close to you with textures (and in good light), I'd still use your DPm's. Anything with expansive scenery or intricate details, I'd go with the newer models of Sigma where the resolution can matter. The speed of processing the newer model camera files on the puter will be slower as there is more data. The camera operates faster. It's easier to blow out the highlights in the newer cameras.

 

[rb dwn]

24-105 then

 

[mike earussi]

Whether you prefer the look of the Merrills or the Quattro is mostly a matter of taste. The Merrill chip has more microcontrast, which some love and some don't (especially portrait photographers as it shows every pore), but this "look" is what you've grown used to with your Merrills so you may miss it.

The advantages of the Quattros are mostly in improved handling, such as faster processing and longer battery life, and live view really helps with getting accurate focus, something the SD1M has problems with. The Quattro chip also has better color out of the box than the Merrill.

Since you already know what a Merrill chip looks like why not buy the Quattro body, test it and if you don't like it then return it?

Good luck on the lens, though, as Sigma really doesn't have any high quality lenses in the 200mm focal length outside of the aforementioned 100-300 f4. Now if you're wanting a 135mm (200mm FX equivalent) the then new (and very expensive) 135 f1.8 is for you.

 

[danski0224]

At the time I bought the Merrills, I had heard of but not taken any notice of the Sigma SD1 Merrill and have only in the last few days become aware of the Sigma SD Quattro and SD Quattro H. I am now starting to consider the option of buying one of these cameras and connecting it with a zoom lens for a focal length not already covered by my three DPM's.

I will only speak of camera features. You are on your own for the Merrill vs Quattro debate.

The sdQ, as a camera, has many things that the SD1M lacks. Live view, accurate focus (with Global Vision lenses) and many more focus points are but a few. Metering is much better than the SD1M. More white balance choices, including custom color temperature.

The SD1M has inconsistent focus but it will work with (probably) any Sigma SA mount lens.

The focusing accuracy of the DP(X)M cameras is more like the the sdQ/H than the SD1M.

It is rumored that the SD1M has been discontinued by Sigma- although it is listed on their main camera page on the USA website. There is a refurbished model available for much less there.

Unless you are looking for the Merrill "look", I find it difficult to recommend the SD1M over a sdQ/H from a usability standpoint. The use of Global Vision lenses on the sdQ/H may influence the decision though.

 

[LasseS]

If I could afford it, I would buy the SD1 with the 50-100/1.8. Since you like the Merrills and enjoy the way they are used best, this is my tip for you too.

 

[LasseS]

There is not much difference in the amount of data from the two sensors. A Merrill file is typically in the 50 to 60 MB region.

 

[D Cox]

There is not much difference in the amount of data from the two sensors. A Merrill file is typically in the 50 to 60 MB region.

My Merrill X3F files are 45 to 55 Mb, while the sdQH ones are 60 to 70. Those from the sdQ will presumably be somewhere in between.

 

[downunder3]

If I could afford it, I would buy the SD1 with the 50-100/1.8. Since you like the Merrills and enjoy the way they are used best, this is my tip for you too.

I thank everyone for their advice. If I decide to proceed I think the SD1 with the 50-100/1.8 is the way to go.

 

[Scottelly]

I suggest the SD Quattro H and a 105mm f2.8 EX of some flavor (Sigma has made many), or you might prefer a 100-400 OS C lens for longer stuff and to handhold some portrait shots. (I have found some success with my Sony A65 shooting portraits with my Minolta 100-300mm APO lens, and that is an APS-C camera.) Since you use a tripod you might find you love some of the longer shots you can shoot of things like architectural features, flowers, distant mountains, and things like dragonflies, bees, and butterflies.

You could eventually add the amazing 85mm f1.4 Art to your kit, which would make a nice addition if you go for the SD Quattro H and the 100-400 OS C lens to start.

--
Scott Barton Kennelly
http://www.bigprintphotos.com

 

[danski0224]

I suggest the SD Quattro H and a 105mm f2.8 EX of some flavor (Sigma has made many),

Just a small nitpick-

The 105mm macro is not a Global Vision (GV) lens, and may not offer the best AF performance on the sdQ/H cameras.

It would be nice for Sigma to update their macro lenses to GV status.

 

[D Cox]

I suggest the SD Quattro H and a 105mm f2.8 EX of some flavor (Sigma has made many),

Just a small nitpick-

The 105mm macro is not a Global Vision (GV) lens, and may not offer the best AF performance on the sdQ/H cameras.

Maybe it's not the best, but it is perfectly usable. I find the 105mm macro to be an excellent lens, very sharp at all distances. It's a bit heavy, but the sdQH has a good grip.

It would be nice for Sigma to update their macro lenses to GV status.

 

[danski0224]

Maybe it's not the best, but it is perfectly usable. I find the 105mm macro to be an excellent lens, very sharp at all distances. It's a bit heavy, but the sdQH has a good grip.

Sigma created the whole Global Vision/not Global Vision disclaimer list.

It has nothing to do with the optical quality of the lens, only the fact that the 105mm macro is not designated "Global Vision" by Sigma and therefore may have "some AF issues with the sdQ/H" according to Sigma.

The Sigma macro prime lenses are all pretty recent and excellent optically. Sigma should be able to easily update the housing, AF motor and drive electronics to designate it Art, Sport or Contemporary without messing with the optics.

Of course, that will make the values of the current generation plummet more than just from bearing the SA mount designation.

 

[D Cox]

Maybe it's not the best, but it is perfectly usable. I find the 105mm macro to be an excellent lens, very sharp at all distances. It's a bit heavy, but the sdQH has a good grip.

Sigma created the whole Global Vision/not Global Vision disclaimer list.

It has nothing to do with the optical quality of the lens, only the fact that the 105mm macro is not designated "Global Vision" by Sigma and therefore may have "some AF issues with the sdQ/H" according to Sigma.

As I said, the "issues" are not significant in practice, in my experience.

The Sigma macro prime lenses are all pretty recent and excellent optically. Sigma should be able to easily update the housing, AF motor and drive electronics to designate it Art, Sport or Contemporary without messing with the optics.

Of course, that will make the values of the current generation plummet more than just from bearing the SA mount designation.

 

[Scottelly]

I suggest the SD Quattro H and a 105mm f2.8 EX of some flavor (Sigma has made many),

Just a small nitpick-

The 105mm macro is not a Global Vision (GV) lens, and may not offer the best AF performance on the sdQ/H cameras.

It would be nice for Sigma to update their macro lenses to GV status.

 

[danski0224]

True, but for someone shooting from a tripod with an SD Quattro H it seems to me that if they really care about getting the best clarity (which is a given, considering the tripod) then manual focus would be used anyway, employing the wonderful fine focus magnifying view feature.

I have had better luck with AF on the sdQ camera. Sometimes I will verify using the magnification button.

I find the short focus throw on most AF lenses to be the problem- difficult for me to get it just so in comparison with a true manual focus lens.

The Sigma 150mm macro has roughly 135* overall of focus throw, and most of that is from 1.24 feet to 10 feet (over 90 degrees of rotation). The last bit from 10 feet to infinity is about 1/4 inch on the distance scale.

 

[Scottelly]

Maybe it's not the best, but it is perfectly usable. I find the 105mm macro to be an excellent lens, very sharp at all distances. It's a bit heavy, but the sdQH has a good grip.

Sigma created the whole Global Vision/not Global Vision disclaimer list.

It has nothing to do with the optical quality of the lens, only the fact that the 105mm macro is not designated "Global Vision" by Sigma and therefore may have "some AF issues with the sdQ/H" according to Sigma.

The Sigma macro prime lenses are all pretty recent and excellent optically. Sigma should be able to easily update the housing, AF motor and drive electronics to designate it Art, Sport or Contemporary without messing with the optics.

Of course, that will make the values of the current generation plummet more than just from bearing the SA mount designation.

 

[danski0224]

As I said, the "issues" are not significant in practice, in my experience.

Same here, but it still stands that it isn't a Global Vision lens, and therefore, may exhibit some AF irregularities, according to Sigma.

It's no different from someone stating that their old 70-200 Macro f/2.8 Sigma lens "works fine" on the sdQ/H cameras... and someone else says "no way".

I am of the opinion that anyone stepping into the sdQ/H arena should be prepared to get/have at least one Global Vision lens if the intent is to use auto focus, and have it focus correctly as designed.

Or, at least be aware that the non GV lenses may have more misses on the sdQ/H compared to prior Sigma dSLR's.