talking about tripods, does anyone use a monopod? Any insights?
I just added a dp3 to my dp1 (both merrill), and I'm looking for a monopod. I've been thinking about a monopod for some time, I read in a magazine that they estimated a monopod to be as effective as lens stabilisation (2 - 3 stops). Usage scenario will be reasonably light or even sunny weather. In this scenario hand held works just fine with the dp1, but 75 equivalent will be more difficult. (and I'd rather avoid a tripod during travels).
Amrit wrote:
talking about tripods, does anyone use a monopod? Any insights?
I just added a dp3 to my dp1 (both merrill), and I'm looking for a monopod. I've been thinking about a monopod for some time, I read in a magazine that they estimated a monopod to be as effective as lens stabilisation (2 - 3 stops). Usage scenario will be reasonably light or even sunny weather. In this scenario hand held works just fine with the dp1, but 75 equivalent will be more difficult. (and I'd rather avoid a tripod during travels).
I used to use a mono pod all the time with a 5DMK2 and the 70-200mm & 400 f5.6. The one i have is quite large and heavier than the small tripod I have so stopped using it. They are very effective and often you can also lean them against something, like a railing or wall which makes them rock solid. I used them on the beach for surf pics where they are often preferred over tripods. What a tripod does excel over a mono pod is when you use a two or ten second timer. Otherwise yes I'd say they are a very good way to find stabilization.
juju1958 wrote:
Not sure I'd go along with the Dp2 having the best IQ of the three. I've to date taken 23 thousand thousand images using the three DP Merrills. I would not judge a camera's IQ as suggested, by whether a tripod is used or not. It either has the best IQ or not. If a tripod is needed at times to achieve the best then use it, as it is required. Of course the longer focal length of the DP3 is slightly harder to handhold, but yet as they all have leaf shutters this helps a lot, as the shutter does not create any noticeable shock to degrade the image quality. The colours and rendition across the board for myself and I am aware of for many others within discussions are magical from the DP3, that extra focal length also achieves a much preferred isolation, creating a gorgeous bokeh along with it, when desired, from a 75mm equivalent f2.8 lens..
Having taken over twenty thousand images, the majority, about two thirds have been taken with the DP3 as it is by and far the camera I'd go for first for image quality, without a doubt as I know many other Merrill users are aware of, that is of course if the focal length can be used in any particular situation, which is often the case. Even if this at times required stitching. This is not to say the Dp2 Merrill is not outstanding, but the colours from the lens does not have the subtle transitions of the DP3 lens. On to the DP1 which is the weaker of all three camera's and why for the DP 1 Quattro, Sigma have for this camera alone redesigned the 19mm lens, in the hope to improve it as they themselves are aware of it's downfalls.
Having said all that Alpha_Geist, I'd always recommend to buy fixed lens camera for which focal length you'd find the most useful. Which is the reason I purchased all three as I new they would all have their uses. ...Show more →
juju1958, I checked my LR lens history and over 80% of my photos sit at medium to long telephoto range. That just solidified my intent to purchase the DP3m. I understand that a ~45/50mm (or normal FL) should be easier to take shots handheld (without the aid of VR/IS/OS/etc.) than that of teles, but I'm willing tackle the challenge with the reward of a bit more isolation. I do have a small P&S manfrotto tipod and standard monopod which should help when handholding isn't possible. I just wish the used market was larger where I'm currently at. Even evibay seems to have limited selection and not much more that what amazon has for new. I'll check the FM B&S boards here in a bit though. Would like to pick a DP3m up within the next month or after Christmas when my wallet has time to breathe.
B&H has the DP3m for $650 brand new (though appears backordered) and there are a good number of dealers shipping from Japan that sell it pretty cheap through Amazon or Ebay. I think one Amazon seller has it for $620
KEH also had one used, in excellent condition, last week for $580 I believe, likely still there. DP1m as well for something like $520 too.
Pretty good deals to be had these days. I think I paid $799 for mine and though I was getting a bargin over the $999 usual price
for the previous Sigma cameras Just no Quattro support yet.
On a PC you can also use Helicon Filter, it supports the Merrills and Quattro, it will also do some limited focus stacking and some other features, and reasonably priced. Much faster the SPP. I don't find SPP that bad, it is slow, but if you are selective in how many and what you process it is not too bad. I just got back from a week long photo trip to Colorado for fall color, took my Fuji XT-1 and DP2Q and DP3M. I just need to find time to process all the images, in between being back in the salt mines of work...
For a light weight tripod that works real well with the Sigma DP series I have been using the Fotopro C5i, lightweight, is relatively tall, very compact and has a nice case. It will also transform into a monopod using one of the legs. It comes with a Arca swiss compatible ball head. I use those type tripod plates on my DP3M and DP2Q. It also comes in different colors. http://www.fotopro.com/en/?page_id=1056
I don't always use a tripod but this makes it easy to carry one and light too.
apsphoto wrote:
For a light weight tripod that works real well with the Sigma DP series I have been using the Fotopro C5i, lightweight, is relatively tall, very compact and has a nice case. It will also transform into a monopod using one of the legs. It comes with a Arca swiss compatible ball head. I use those type tripod plates on my DP3M and DP2Q. It also comes in different colors. http://www.fotopro.com/en/?page_id=1056
I don't always use a tripod but this makes it easy to carry one and light too.
Alan
Alan that mono pod idea is brilliant, also when the mono pod is split in two is is very short. Good idea.
juju1958 wrote:
I used to use a mono pod all the time with a 5DMK2 and the 70-200mm & 400 f5.6. The one i have is quite large and heavier than the small tripod I have so stopped using it. They are very effective and often you can also lean them against something, like a railing or wall which makes them rock solid. I used them on the beach for surf pics where they are often preferred over tripods. What a tripod does excel over a mono pod is when you use a two or ten second timer. Otherwise yes I'd say they are a very good way to find stabilization. ...Show more →
Thnx JuJu,
The one I have my eyes on is the Manfrotto 694cx, but today I also ran into the Manfrotto 560B-1, and even youtube vid's about it:
Lots of positive comments elsewere. I'll make a toss, and get back with some comments in a month or so
The one I have my eyes on is the Manfrotto 694cx, but today I also ran into the Manfrotto 560B-1, and even youtube vid's about it:
Lots of positive comments elsewere. I'll make a toss, and get back with some comments in a month or so
Yes they look good I like the idea of the feet, something I'd like. But the Monopod itself is very much the size of the one i have and they are very big especially that first one. Quite hefty and really with a Dp amera something much lighter I'd think would suffice. I am interested in this one, coming in at 350 gram , hardly know it was there. http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/product/24329.1108711.76909.1094355.0/MMCOMPACTADV-BK/_/Compact_Monopod_Advanced_Black
Yes they look good I like the idea of the feet, something I'd like. But the Monopod itself is very much the size of the one i have and they are very big especially that first one. Quite hefty and really with a Dp amera something much lighter I'd think would suffice. I am interested in this one, coming in at 350 gram , hardly know it was there. http://www.manfrotto.co.uk/product/24329.1108711.76909.1094355.0/MMCOMPACTADV-BK/_/Compact_Monopod_Advanced_Black
I think it would be silly to ignore some senior advice I just bought the "Manfrotto Compact Monopod Advanced Black", it's a good price too. Let's see how well it fares. I did also order a Joby ball head if I need a bit more height and flexibility, should be more then enough for a Sigma DP [and some older SLR's].
And I really enjoy this thread, really excellent pictures. Always fun to check.
I understand that a ~45/50mm (or normal FL) should be easier to take shots handheld (without the aid of VR/IS/OS/etc.) than that of teles, but I'm willing tackle the challenge with the reward of a bit more isolation. I do have a small P&S manfrotto tipod and standard monopod which should help when handholding isn't possible. I just wish the used market was larger where I'm currently at. Even evibay seems to have limited selection and not much more that what amazon has for new. I'll check the FM B&S boards here in a bit though. Would like to pick a DP3m up within the next month or after Christmas when my wallet has time to breathe. 
I just bought the "Manfrotto Compact Monopod Advanced Black", it's a good price too. Let's see how well it fares. I did also order a Joby ball head if I need a bit more height and flexibility, should be more then enough for a Sigma DP [and some older SLR's].
