DP1,2,3 Merrill - is one better than another for image quality?

[Deardorff]

Looking at these camera bodies. Wide angle, normal and slight tele.

Processor and whatnot are the same.

In use and taking into account the field of view, is one actually better in image quality?

Any of them have problems that seem to reoccur?

A reason to steer clear or be careful with one of the three?

 

[Kendall Helmstetter Gelner]

They are all pretty good but the DP1M is not as good in the corners as the other two.

If you are really interested in wide, consider a DP0Q which is wider than the DP1 and is amazing.

The DP3M does have a larger form factor with a bit longer lens, but not by a lot so if you prefer longer shots that would be the one to get.

 

[Tom Schum]

Any of them have problems that seem to reoccur?

One problem I keep seeing reported in this forum is erratic response from the control knob on the top of the DPxM cameras. People spray contact cleaner into it and report that it works.

 

[Dryce]

As has been said - the DP1M lens isn't quite as good in terms of sharpness wide open. But it is still very good.

Two weaknesses I have experiencedand seen mentioned by other owners:

- the control dial that surruonds the shutter button can start to cause odd jmps when cahnging settings. A contact cleaner spray sorted this.

- I occasionally get corrupted images on the SD card from my DP1M. I suspect that this is down to power regulation and the battery.

I find the best all round variant in my experience is the DP2M.

Most of my images from these three come from the DP1M and DP2M.

 

[SigmaChrome]

Looking at these camera bodies. Wide angle, normal and slight tele.

Processor and whatnot are the same.

In use and taking into account the field of view, is one actually better in image quality?

From my experience the DP3 Merrill produces the best colour and the best overall image quality. In fact, it's stunning and never ceases to amaze me. The DP2M is also brilliantly sharp but its colours require a bit more effort to get right.

Any of them have problems that seem to reoccur?

I haven't had any.

A reason to steer clear or be careful with one of the three?

I don't have the DP1M, so I can't answer.

Here's a series I recently made with the DP3M.

 

[41mm]

Yes, it is and just simple:

DP3 – DP2 – DP1

i had it all

PS:

But much more important, the question is not, which is "the best camera", it is, which is YOUR favorite focal length !

PPS: i am waiting for the new design of the upcoming dp Quattro series

 

[target5]

I have two DP3 Merrill and one DP2 Merrill, the image quality is the same except for slight differences in color tonality. For the rest, these are outstanding hi-end cult cameras equipped with the legendary classic 1:1:1 Foveon capable of deliver all of the features of this actually unsurpassed, even from Sigma and unique in the world technology: film-like IQ, appealing colors and amazing sharp images also at F2.8 aperture that rivals with medium format.

 

[PanoMax]

I have two DP3 Merrill and one DP2 Merrill, the image quality is the same except for slight differences in color tonality. For the rest, these are outstanding hi-end cult cameras equipped with the legendary classic 1:1:1 Foveon capable of deliver all of the features of this actually unsurpassed, even from Sigma and unique in the world technology: film-like IQ, appealing colors and amazing sharp images also at F2.8 aperture that rivals with medium format.

 

[absquatulate]

Looking at these camera bodies. Wide angle, normal and slight tele.

Processor and whatnot are the same.

In use and taking into account the field of view, is one actually better in image quality?

Any of them have problems that seem to reoccur?

A reason to steer clear or be careful with one of the three?

I have all three and the only reason to choose one over the others is focal length, choose which focal length you prefer, not based on any perceived image quality differences, because the differences are minimal. The DP1M is the weakest wide open, but stop it down and it's as sharp as the others in any quantifiable measure, just a bit weaker on the edges and corners, because it is a wide angle lens. Of mine the DP2M is the absolute sharpest, but we're splitting hairs here. Don't be put off by what anyone says about the DP1M, I humped it over the Swiss Alps and the images it gave me were superb. You can also screw a Ricoh GW3 UWA adaptor onto it and get a fov of around 21mm, and still get great image quality stopped down. If I could only have one, I'd go for the DP2M, because the fov works for general shooting when you only have one lens, but that's just me. Also none of mine have a problem with the dial on top, and two of them took a dunking in a stream, and have been fine even after that, they are tougher than you think.

 

[Shawn67]

Looking at these camera bodies. Wide angle, normal and slight tele.

Processor and whatnot are the same.

In use and taking into account the field of view, is one actually better in image quality?

From my experience the DP3 Merrill produces the best colour and the best overall image quality. In fact, it's stunning and never ceases to amaze me. The DP2M is also brilliantly sharp but its colours require a bit more effort to get right.

I had the DP3M and DP2M and second this. The DP3M more consistently wowed me. I tended to have more magenta color blotches with the DP2M but that could have just been my DP2M.


Shawn

 

[ChristianHass]

One thing that annoys me with my DP3M is that it takes a long time for it to rack focus from near to infinity, so when it miscalculates it really feels slow. My DP2M doesn't have this at all, I think it could be a downside to the DP3M being able to close focus.

Image quality wise my DP2M and DP3M are very close, colors are different but manageble.

I like the DP2M better, the focal length suits me well, and it's quite a bit smaller.

The DP3M has absolutely wonderful sunstars though, much better than the DP2M.

 

[Toraneko]

Looking at these camera bodies. Wide angle, normal and slight tele.

Processor and whatnot are the same.

In use and taking into account the field of view, is one actually better in image quality?

Any of them have problems that seem to reoccur?

A reason to steer clear or be careful with one of the three?

I prefer the look and feel of DP1M and DP2M, though as many said before, DP1M have soft corners. But I think that doesn't have much impact in the overall look of the image unless you pixel peep.

 

[rick decker]

Match the camera to what is best focal length for you. If you don't have a sense of that, you should spend some time figuring that out before you buy one. All 3 are capable of 32x48 (inch) landscapes and even larger. You will be happy with any of the three. If I had to pick one, I would pick the 2 just because it is more vesatile. You can stitch with the 2 if you want to go wider. The 3 does not do "true" macro (1:1 or 1:2) but just close-in.

 

[absquatulate]

In my experience, and due to its longer focal length, its the hardest to hand hold. If you are shooting at ISO 100/200, and wish to stop down, you will often need to support the camera in less than very good light. If you live somewhere with frequently varying light, as l do, you will need to factor that in for best quality.