Darn you, SSTers! (And !#*$ to Phil for getting this whole thing started)

[spydermon]

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!) Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

Damn! (er, Darn!) just checking out PBase for Sigmas made me drool. To say that I've been impressed is putting it mildly. Such beautiful, LARGE, photos are fantastic. I'm in photolust!. I want one!(especially with the current price of the SD-9's) But I just got the DR!

I'm hoping someone will come in and tell me "you'd be making a mistake. After taking X number of pictures the camera will just explode in your hands" or something like that.

I've been looking at the downers. Weak low light photos (Yeah, like I go around taking pictures in the dark), dust on the sensor (that might get me). Not a huge number of lenses (Geez, I would barely have enough money to buy the camera, much less a plethora of lenses).

So, it's all your fault. Please! Help!

 

[unselfishly]

You could always sell your DR and get a SD-9 or SD-10 =) Many people on this forum would probably recommend SD-9 as you could not beat that kind of price from the quality you could get with it.

Now, you could start doing more research on the 2 sigmas, and preparing your DR for sale somewhere. Hopefully, the resale value for the DR would not be too bad... =)

Cheers,
Kee

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move
from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with
its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its
new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go
over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!)
Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

Damn! (er, Darn!) just checking out PBase for Sigmas made me drool.
To say that I've been impressed is putting it mildly. Such
beautiful, LARGE, photos are fantastic. I'm in photolust!. I want
one!(especially with the current price of the SD-9's) But I just
got the DR!

I'm hoping someone will come in and tell me "you'd be making a
mistake. After taking X number of pictures the camera will just
explode in your hands" or something like that.

I've been looking at the downers. Weak low light photos (Yeah, like
I go around taking pictures in the dark), dust on the sensor (that
might get me). Not a huge number of lenses (Geez, I would barely
have enough money to buy the camera, much less a plethora of
lenses).

So, it's all your fault. Please! Help!

 

[Brett DiMichele]

Hi Cyber,

If you want me to.. I can tell you it will blow up in your hands that way you
don't have to spend more money

But I would be lying to you!

One of the downsides is night photography but I like you don't go around
taking pictures in the dark. If that was my cup of tea I would get a night
vision monocular and hook it up to a P&S and save money!

Dust on the sensor is an issue with every Digital SLR made. Not just the
Sigma. Sure these reviewers note that some of thier SD10's had dust on
the sensor but if you read the Canon Drebel and 10D and 1D/1Ds forums
you will soon realize that even those cameras ship with dust on the sensor
and if they do ship with a clean sensor they will soon attact dust just like
every other D-SLR on the market. That is just the downside of owning an
SLR camera.

Lens choices aren't as limited as everyone says. The huge limits are that
Sigma does not make a bunch of "Super Fast" F1.2 or F1.8 lenses and they
don't have HSM (Hypersonic Motors) on all of thier premium lenses yet.

And also Image Stabilization (OS in Sigma terms) is only available on one
lens at the moment.

Other than that? Well, the images DO speak for themselves!

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move
from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with
its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its
new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go
over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!)
Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

Damn! (er, Darn!) just checking out PBase for Sigmas made me drool.
To say that I've been impressed is putting it mildly. Such
beautiful, LARGE, photos are fantastic. I'm in photolust!. I want
one!(especially with the current price of the SD-9's) But I just
got the DR!

I'm hoping someone will come in and tell me "you'd be making a
mistake. After taking X number of pictures the camera will just
explode in your hands" or something like that.

I've been looking at the downers. Weak low light photos (Yeah, like
I go around taking pictures in the dark), dust on the sensor (that
might get me). Not a huge number of lenses (Geez, I would barely
have enough money to buy the camera, much less a plethora of
lenses).

So, it's all your fault. Please! Help!

--



http://www.westol.com/~brettd/sd10/gallery/

 

[Thomas Mottl]

After a few days you become so addicted to it, like a junkie for his next shot. You feel the need to go out and feed your Sigma with new captures. If not your hands start shaking, you become nervous and unconcentraded, you are on cold turkey!!
So be seriously warned by a infected Sigmatian
So now I go shooting for today
Cheerio
Thomas
--
http://www.pbase.com/aroid/

 

[tammons]

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move
from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with
its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its
new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go
over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!)
Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

I know the feeling. My mistake was the 10D and 2 lenses.

Damn! (er, Darn!) just checking out PBase for Sigmas made me drool.
To say that I've been impressed is putting it mildly. Such
beautiful, LARGE, photos are fantastic. I'm in photolust!. I want
one!(especially with the current price of the SD-9's) But I just
got the DR!

I'm hoping someone will come in and tell me "you'd be making a
mistake. After taking X number of pictures the camera will just
explode in your hands" or something like that.

They are very different, but the image quality from the SD_ cameras rule. I have heard of a few people that had problems, but not too many.

I've been looking at the downers. Weak low light photos (Yeah, like
I go around taking pictures in the dark), dust on the sensor (that
might get me). Not a huge number of lenses (Geez, I would barely
have enough money to buy the camera, much less a plethora of
lenses).

With the 10D I never shot over ISO400 anyway.

Dust on the sensor is no big deal. You do have to clean it more often though.

There are enough good lenses to get by although they are missing a few key lenses. I have seen some really good photos out of the 18-50/55-200 kit lenses and those lenses only cost $250.

So, it's all your fault. Please! Help!

Sounds like you will be headed to frustration ally with the DR. Dump it and chalk it up to experience.

--
http://www.troyammons.com
http://www.pbase.com/tammons
http://www.troyammons.deviantart.com

 

[wguardian79]

just out of curiosity, as you are a new Drebel owner - do you really think (dont burn me here sigmatarians) the pics are that far different that you are willing to lose money on your purchase? And do you feel/know that the Drebel shots can't be enlarged like a SDx's?

Check these things out - not bashing a sigma, just giving you some neutral thoughts here before you go and LOSE money (which is what WILL happen, with dslr prices, resale ISNT good - fact.) Its easy to say "oh sure, live and learn, go buy a sigma SDx (no offence here ppl) but you have to really give it a moments thought. Your Drebel has quirks, so does a sigma SD9 (of a different kind, obviously) but if you never shoot in low/no light, well then...... I really cant talk you out of it now can i?? lol ;-)

Bare in mind, a store will trade in goods for 1/3 the price you paid, and sell it for 2/3rds if they can... the Drebel is a toughy (i WAS going to get one myself a while back) because even ex-demo units are flying out the door at only $100-$150 off RRP so why would anyone want to pay much more for a used one???

Sigmatarians - what are your HONEST thoughts in this predicament? Bearing in mind, not everyone is made of money...

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move
from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with
its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its
new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go
over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!)
Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

 

[Laurence Matson]

Self-realization is the first step to recovery.

I'm hoping someone will come in and tell me "you'd be making a
mistake.

As the undercurrent of your message indicates, you have already understood the error of your ways. That is the best thing to get on the road to recovery. Redeption is clearly what you seek.

Our favorite Canon recyclist - e-bay - will be happy to handle that part of the job. This should get you a good way toward what you need to get an SD10. L glass is famously expensive and therefore is easy to sell.

Then get an SD10 and 50 macro, and you are on your way to improvement. Of course, the next crisis will soon appear as Thomas said: pixel envy. However, Dr. Dave will arrange sessions with Dr. Sigma Freud, which includes shoveling dog doodoo on his back 40 square yards.

--
Laurence

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

http://www.pbase.com/lmatson/root
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/root
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd10
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd9
http://www.beachbriss.com (eternal test site)

 

[Pete Spader]

I'm hoping someone will come in and tell me "you'd be making a
mistake.

As the undercurrent of your message indicates, you have already
understood the error of your ways. That is the best thing to get on
the road to recovery. Redeption is clearly what you seek.

Our favorite Canon recyclist - e-bay - will be happy to handle that
part of the job. This should get you a good way toward what you
need to get an SD10. L glass is famously expensive and therefore is
easy to sell.

Then get an SD10 and 50 macro, and you are on your way to
improvement. Of course, the next crisis will soon appear as Thomas
said: pixel envy. However, Dr. Dave will arrange sessions with Dr.
Sigma Freud, which includes shoveling dog doodoo on his back 40
square yards.

--
Laurence

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

http://www.pbase.com/lmatson/root
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/root
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd10
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd9
http://www.beachbriss.com (eternal test site)

Laurence is right, though I am beginning to worry about him now that he has started channeling for Dr. Sigma Freud. The key lement is picture quality, especially if you like to enlarge your pictures (I print mine at 13 by 19 inches on an Epson 2200, and the first time I printed one from an X3F file Kendall put up for use, I was hooked.) The Foveon sensor produces the first "digital" pictures (actually the sensor is working analog, but that is a technical matter) that made me seriously consider moving from 35mm film. There is a feel to the images you just cannot get with the CFA (aka Bayer) sensors.

As so last summer I got the SD9, and a few weeks ago I got the SD10. (Incidentally the SD10 is better in many ways, but the SD9 is still great especially at ISO100, and since I use a tripod for landscapes a lot, I will still use it when my wife Nancy is using the SD10, so if you cannot yet afford the SD10 the SD9 is a great place to start, but be warned, you will eventually move up.)

He is also correct that the 50mmEX is a great first lens, and one of our best photographers, Seng, uses it almost exclusively. I have just got it (I also have the 28-70EX and the 20mmEX f1.8) and it has the place of honor on my new SD10.

As to the dust spots they are not that big a hassle in practice, and all these cameras suffer from them. The ones that do show in pictures are easily removed by any post SPP2 software, and when there are enough to warrant, the process of blowing them off is, I hear, not that hard. Actually I still haven't enough to bother even with my SD9.

Having just stretched my budget much too far, however, I do feel you pain. I would apologize for us all, except the pain was not caused by us but by the pictures themselves.
Pete

 

[Unda Covalava]

I know what you mean. After spending some drooling over the SD9 PBase gallery, I went back to checking out Dreb and Nikon D70 pics, and they just look soft, not quite in-focus. I never looked at them that way before I started looking at Sigma images. I'm in awe! Now If I can just convince myself that I don't need clean high ISO images...

Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

Damn! (er, Darn!) just checking out PBase for Sigmas made me drool.
To say that I've been impressed is putting it mildly. Such
beautiful, LARGE, photos are fantastic. I'm in photolust!. I want
one

 

[Adam-T]

them that way before I started looking at Sigma images. I'm in
awe! Now If I can just convince myself that I don't need clean
high ISO images...

If you need BOTH then you'll need a 1D - the only Beyer camera to match foveon sharpness and combine it with usable ISO1600, 8 frames per second, zero shutter lag and the best AF ever to grace a Digital SLR (and some other tricks) but they aren't cheap unfortunately and definately NOT light weight.. the camera isn't perfect either, it can suffer minor banding occasionally and is moire prone but another (if rather expensive option) - I chose the SD9 as a backup to my 1D rather than one of the 6Mp canons, says a lot for the SD9 really..

Some wide open 100% crops from less than top of the range lenses

Sigma 170-500 1D RAW Processed Crops



Sigma 28-300 Compact 1D RAW crops Wide open



Sigma 28-300 Compact 1D RAW crops Wide open 2X Tamron TC!



--

Please ignore the Typos, I'm the world's worst Typist

EOS-1D - Sigma SD9

 

[adegroot]

Last night I drove home around 2AM, and lo and behold the sights! I had never seen such a thing. Tripods everywhere! Photographers everywhere fighting over a good spot to put up their tripods.

(secret FBI X-ray image of the tripods, no bodies shown)



At the Washington Monument, there were at least 500 of them! At the Lincoln Memorial it was equally crowded.

I for one, being the lucky owner of a Sigma SD10, just went home and had a good night's rest.

When I woke up in the morning I noticed that all the photographers were gone. Couldn't find a single one of them.

Oh yeh, that's right. They are all sleeping, dreaming about their wonderful cameras that take such wonderful photos in the middle of the night....Sssshhhhtttt.....don't wake them up.

(artist impression of sleeping photographer)

 

[Unda Covalava]

LOL-

That's hilarious. Unfortunately, I'd be one of those guys out there in the middle of the night with a tripod, freezing, my a$$ off, tyring to get a good night shot, even if I ending buying the SD9!

Last night I drove home around 2AM, and lo and behold the sights! I
had never seen such a thing. Tripods everywhere! Photographers
everywhere fighting over a good spot to put up their tripods.

(secret FBI X-ray image of the tripods, no bodies shown)



At the Washington Monument, there were at least 500 of them! At the
Lincoln Memorial it was equally crowded.

I for one, being the lucky owner of a Sigma SD10, just went home
and had a good night's rest.

When I woke up in the morning I noticed that all the photographers
were gone. Couldn't find a single one of them.

Oh yeh, that's right. They are all sleeping, dreaming about their
wonderful cameras that take such wonderful photos in the middle of
the night....Sssshhhhtttt.....don't wake them up.

(artist impression of sleeping photographer)

 

[Chunsum J Choi]

well, I not one to tell people what to do. I can only suggest.

So I guess if he wants to sell the DR on Ebay and buy a SD. that's his business. However I would like to say that weight all the options, especially money before taking any steps.

if one really really really wants the "WOW" image quality(not that DR is absolutely terrible. it's just not as good as the SD) and can endure the 200 bucks lost from selling off a DR....... I'd say "WHY NOT!" I'd do it.

Check these things out - not bashing a sigma, just giving you some
neutral thoughts here before you go and LOSE money (which is what
WILL happen, with dslr prices, resale ISNT good - fact.) Its easy
to say "oh sure, live and learn, go buy a sigma SDx (no offence
here ppl) but you have to really give it a moments thought. Your
Drebel has quirks, so does a sigma SD9 (of a different kind,
obviously) but if you never shoot in low/no light, well then......
I really cant talk you out of it now can i?? lol ;-)

Bare in mind, a store will trade in goods for 1/3 the price you
paid, and sell it for 2/3rds if they can... the Drebel is a toughy
(i WAS going to get one myself a while back) because even ex-demo
units are flying out the door at only $100-$150 off RRP so why
would anyone want to pay much more for a used one???

Sigmatarians - what are your HONEST thoughts in this predicament?
Bearing in mind, not everyone is made of money...

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move
from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with
its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its
new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go
over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!)
Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

--
Chunsum J. Choi

http://www.pbase.com/chunsum
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9

 

[spydermon]

And, unfortunately, you've been no help at all;-) But, seriously, you have given me much to think about. Of course, my problem is that I'm a major Technophile (I have the pocket card, framed certificate, and secret decoder ring) as well as a sucker for a pretty face or a highly detailed, aging wizened face or a beautiful, young, innocent detailed face or...well, you get my drift. On the plus side, I have very little Canon glass right now and few accessories...not even an external flash. So, I could possibly do the deed without taking too much of a hit (maybe). I haven't heard/read any reports of AF quirks like the DR, so I'm assuming there aren't any.

I guess I'm going to have to investigate the matter some more, financial-wise. ITMT, I appreciate any and all advice/hints/thoughts, etc. BTW, this seems to be a nice forum. Pretty well-behaved so far.

Thanks again!

 

[Kendall Helmstetter Gelner]

And, unfortunately, you've been no help at all;-) But, seriously,
you have given me much to think about.

I guess I'm going to have to investigate the matter some more,
financial-wise. ITMT, I appreciate any and all
advice/hints/thoughts, etc. BTW, this seems to be a nice forum.
Pretty well-behaved so far.

One last thought - try downloading PhotoPro from Sigma's web site and a few X3F files to play with. That should help move you along...

--
---> Kendall
http://www.pbase.com/kgelner
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/user_home
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/sigma_shoot_1 - world apart, world
together

 

[DonP2]

The low light problems with the SD's could be very real if you have moving objects . SD10 handles better.

Now if you are new to DSLR, I suggest to stick with Canon DR . And from the tone of your writing, I take that you are someone going with mainstream materials. You will feel better with the DR . At some point in your life, when you get everything nailed, take a second look the SD's . That's when you can turn all disadvantages of the camera into something workable for your situation, and you will appreciate it more.

My personal preference is the SD9, simply cause they don't make it any more . But the SD10 is very workable, if you are willing to be different from main stream

 

[David Hughes]

Honest opinion.

I lost 14 cameras and a slew of content spanning years in a total house fire. Broke me heart. Grudgingly got back into the game. Was a Nikon, Rollei, Graflex, Leica person... but returned via Canon. Acquired a couple bodies, glass, flash, accessories. Then Sigma crossed my bow. I was very hard pressed to change given my investment, mostly time, into mentioned vendor. No way did I want to switch gears. No way.

But I did. And am overwhelmingly thankful I did. It was worth the change of camps, for me. Cetainly not for everyone. If one is vested in a particular line. But if you realy want to drill into image quality, and the fine group of people who support it here... it is an awakening of sorts.

david

Check these things out - not bashing a sigma, just giving you some
neutral thoughts here before you go and LOSE money (which is what
WILL happen, with dslr prices, resale ISNT good - fact.) Its easy
to say "oh sure, live and learn, go buy a sigma SDx (no offence
here ppl) but you have to really give it a moments thought. Your
Drebel has quirks, so does a sigma SD9 (of a different kind,
obviously) but if you never shoot in low/no light, well then......
I really cant talk you out of it now can i?? lol ;-)

Bare in mind, a store will trade in goods for 1/3 the price you
paid, and sell it for 2/3rds if they can... the Drebel is a toughy
(i WAS going to get one myself a while back) because even ex-demo
units are flying out the door at only $100-$150 off RRP so why
would anyone want to pay much more for a used one???

Sigmatarians - what are your HONEST thoughts in this predicament?
Bearing in mind, not everyone is made of money...

There I was, just minding my own business. Having made the move
from a P&S to a DRebel I was settling in to learning to live with
its quirks when, a couple of days ago, DPreview comes up with its
new review of the SG-10. Hmmm. Very interesting. I decided to go
over to this Forum to see what you guys thought (Major Mistake!!)
Then I begin looking at some pictures and reading reviews....

--
Digital Frame - http://www.giphantie.com
Personal Gallery- http://david.oldcolo.com/gallery/sd9
...and - http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9

 

[Laurence Matson]

My personal preference is the SD9, simply cause they don't make it
any more . But the SD10 is very workable, if you are willing to
be different from main stream

Don,

Even you will have to admit that there is something missing in the Logic Department here.

--
Laurence

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

http://www.pbase.com/lmatson/root
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/root
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd10
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd9
http://www.beachbriss.com (eternal test site)

 

[DonP2]

Yes sir, I admit being guilty as an SD/x owner, sir . We fools have hearts ruled by emotion, not logic sir .

But if you inquired about the comment on the SD9, I like the sensor naked. And a naked foveon sensor w/o microlenses will not be on the market any more. SD9 might become a collector's item .

BTW, I am currently using a loaner, my brand new replacement will be shipped from Japan because Sigma repair department don't stock it anymore . (Hello Sigma, I guess my complain here about receiving repaired stock last time was read). A praise to Sigma, for real, this time.

My personal preference is the SD9, simply cause they don't make it
any more . But the SD10 is very workable, if you are willing to
be different from mainstream

Don,

Even you will have to admit that there is something missing in the
Logic Department here.

--
Laurence

There is a tide in the affairs of men,
Which, taken at the flood, leads on to fortune;
Omitted, all the voyage of their life
Is bound in shallows and in miseries.

http://www.pbase.com/lmatson/root
http://www.pbase.com/sigmasd9/root
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd10
http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/sd9
http://www.beachbriss.com (eternal test site)

 

[Larry48209]

They Shoud put a health warning on those darn cameras!

After a few days you become so addicted to it, like a junkie for
his next shot. You feel the need to go out and feed your Sigma with
new captures. If not your hands start shaking, you become nervous
and unconcentraded, you are on cold turkey!!
So be seriously warned by a infected Sigmatian
So now I go shooting for today
Cheerio
Thomas
--
http://www.pbase.com/aroid/

--
http://larrysuconnhuskies.com/scollection/index.html