p.84 #2 · Sigma DP2 Merrill: Have any of you tried it?
In May I spent one week snorkeling on the Maldives. After testing and discussing some options for underwater photography I decided to get a Ewa-Marine housing for my DP2M and use the Sigma for underwater images on this trip.
Since I had lots of problems with this combination, it is a solution I would not really recommend (at least not for underwater images, for rafting, kayaking, canyoning etc. it could work).
You can find some more information about the problems on my blog: http://wild-places.com/2013/06/15/maldives-my-first-attempt-in-underwater-photography/
p.84 #14 · Sigma DP2 Merrill: Have any of you tried it?
I have been shooting these for a while now, and I have to say they are truly impressive little cameras. They have one fatal flaw for me though, how they handle shooting into the sun. I like to do sunbursts coming up over the horizon, and well, these cameras just can't do it.
For your viewing pleasure. Red grid flare. I can do this with my SLR just fine, with minimal flare, I have never seen anything like this before.
p.84 #16 · Sigma DP2 Merrill: Have any of you tried it?
I don't think the Sigma software is horrible at all. I actually think the software is quiet good. My only issue is that it is rather slow, but the tools are fine. Once I exported the TIFF files I hardly have to do anything in ACR or LR.
This is a quote from another user and I agree; But the thing I like most...is the moment during the 'development' when the RAW X3F file suddenly 'materializes' right before your eyes revealing all its the Foveon '3D' magic and razor edged sharpness.
People keep saying it is worthless and horrible and everybody starts to believe it. Not the whole world is Adobe.
The software gets regular updates and I have the feeling that Sigma is on top of it to develop it further.
p.84 #18 · Sigma DP2 Merrill: Have any of you tried it?
I agree, the software really isn't too bad, and actually the monochrome mode works really well.
It is a bit slower than LR et al, and basically your not going to be able to fly through a ton of images and make lots of real time tweaks, but, the workflow matches the pace of shooting with the camera, which is also a bit slower.
You have a good amount of control, and the files are pretty pliable, you just have to go a bit slow and then wait 30 seconds or so to develop a shot.
Now if I was using it for a work assignment, I'd go crazy as I need to turn around images quickly but then again, using the camera for a work assignment would also drive me crazy with the long write times and such.
Basically if I've got the time to leisurely set up the tripod and take a composed shot with the DP2m, I also need to have to time to leisurely sit down at the computer and process the files.
I totally get where people are coming from with the complaints, but I also think that having to spend 1-2 minutes processing a file really isn't all that horrible.
Maybe for those who only knew digital, but I remember coming back from a shoot and processing my own 120 and 4x5 sheet film. Compared to that process anything feels quick.
The resulting files always turn out to be worth the effort though for that crystal clarity and per pixel sharpness even at 100%
p.84 #19 · Sigma DP2 Merrill: Have any of you tried it?
I hate spending time developing a photo in software. I spend more than enough time in front of the computer for work. I guess this is not really the camera for me.
p.84 #20 · Sigma DP2 Merrill: Have any of you tried it?
If you are used to shooting hundreds of shots in a day or photo shoot, and blowing through processing them, not this really isn't the camera for you. It's not the camera for a lot of people honestly, but what it does it does ridiculously well.
