Sigma Endless and Forever

Thanks for taking the time for the comments and ratings

Rick

zetax wrote:

I have sd9, sd14, sd1 cameras. sigma cameras are a passion I never gave up. I can't compare it to a brand with any camera. value is unique to those who know.

Absolutely. The SD14 is my favorite camera and has been my main camera since 2007. I have 5 of them.

In spite of trying to "upgrade" with the purchase of both SD1M and SD Quattro bodies, neither has produced a portfolio image and both have never made it pass the long initial "testing" phase.

If you know how to use it, the SD14 returns truly outstanding results that cannot be matched.

Admittedly, many other users consider the camera to be curse and a plague, and a gross error

You have described my objective experience with the SD1 and SDQ.

It is apparently not a "mainstream" camera.

I once described the Foveon "way" to a man who made his fortune with the IBM company. When I had finished my evangelical like presentation, he said very dryly, "That's not a consumer product".

He was and is correct. Perhaps, the fp and this new generation foveon camera will be a consumer product breakthrough. But if the past predicts the future, we'll all have to wait and see.

Besides, where's the fun in doing something without an effort?

Macrae wrote:

.. a man who...said very dryly, "That's not a consumer product".

He was and is correct...

- and incorrect. Ie, irrelevant. Who cares for an opinion? - But I suppose people can be like that.

Consumerism is sometimes made out to be the only "truth".

/rolleyes

Me? I still have and have enjoyed the DP1, DP2, and SD1M - and now hardly use anything anymore

atom14.

I have only one sd14 so don't have the ability to compare individual  units. I've not got on with mine that well specifically because of the colour. It's ok in some lighting conditions but it has a strong tendency towards a yellow-green cast. Yes, you can carefully correct colour casts but it can be difficult and my feeling has always been "why should I have to".  Looking at sd15 images online, they don't seem to have this problem.

This suggests results come from the equipment.

Good pictures come from good photographers.

Believing that specific cameras make the difference, that you could only make the image with a sd14 or a phase one or a view camera is similar to believing that HDR or a Cokin tobacco grad are what makes an image.

At best specific gear or techniques may support the photographer's intention slightly more than some other equipment. It may even make the photographer more comfortable or relaxed but it doesn't help you select the correct subject or stand in the right place, choose the right angle of view, frame optimally, choose the right lighting or trip the shutter at the optimal moment.

I guess there is some comfort in relying on the equipment to do the job - it absolves the photographer to a degree.

One of the marketing tricks manufacturers like to play is to make use of brand ambassadors. Good photographers, getting great results with their gear.implies the gear is the cause, right. In truth those ambassodors make enjoy or rely on or trust their favourite gear but they could do just as well with any gear. I know this the sigma forum but good as is, it is an illusion that foveon makes any real difference. It might give a slight edge to some images but in the end it is still all about the photographer.

atom14 wrote:

Macrae wrote:

.. a man who...said very dryly, "That's not a consumer product".

He was and is correct...

- and incorrect. Ie, irrelevant. Who cares for an opinion? - But I suppose people can be like that.

Consumerism is sometimes made out to be the only "truth".

/rolleyes

Me? I still have and have enjoyed the DP1, DP2, and SD1M - and now hardly use anything anymore

atom14.

I agree with you. And too everyone is free to chose whatever works best for him/her.

The IBM guy was speaking from a an ease of use and accessibility POV. One might think of a Toyota Supra vs an Austin Martin DB8. Not saying that Sigma cameras are Austin Martins, but you get the idea.

DMillier wrote:

This suggests results come from the equipment.

Good pictures come from good photographers.

Believing that specific cameras make the difference, that you could only make the image with a sd14 or a phase one or a view camera is similar to believing that HDR or a Cokin tobacco grad are what makes an image.

At best specific gear or techniques may support the photographer's intention slightly more than some other equipment. It may even make the photographer more comfortable or relaxed but it doesn't help you select the correct subject or stand in the right place, choose the right angle of view, frame optimally, choose the right lighting or trip the shutter at the optimal moment.

I guess there is some comfort in relying on the equipment to do the job - it absolves the photographer to a degree.

One of the marketing tricks manufacturers like to play is to make use of brand ambassadors. Good photographers, getting great results with their gear.implies the gear is the cause, right. In truth those ambassodors make enjoy or rely on or trust their favourite gear but they could do just as well with any gear. I know this the sigma forum but good as is, it is an illusion that foveon makes any real difference. It might give a slight edge to some images but in the end it is still all about the photographer.

I agree. Well said.

AdamT wrote:

It just seems to me that a lot of photographers, people that I consider to be very talented, greatly prefer the SD14 to just about everything else.

Which is bizarre because it was the worst camera Sigma ever made , the numerous design and build issues plagued users until they finally fixed it with the SD15 .. even the almost prototype-like SD9 had far less issues than the SD14 . One SD14 I had , after soldering wires inside the base to beef up the battery supply feed wasn't too bad but it would still corrupt files if you even thought of doing anything while it was writing to card .

I've had 2.  With the first had problems as you describe. Liked the images very much so bought a second. Same problems ........

The SD9 was my fave because of the unique character the images had , (I had SD9s for 10 years) followed by the original and very slow DP1 . I did like the DP2 merrill , I`d have liked the DP1 Merrill too but never found one which had a decent lens .