biglouis
Well-known member
A post by Quentin in the Sony forum closely mirrors my thoughts about whether it is worth keeping my Sigma Merrill cameras.
A good photographer friend of mine once made the point that multiple camera systems lead to confusion, e.g. which camera for which subject/job etc. I agree with him and have tried to limit myself to two systems max at any one time.
Currently I have a Sony A7R, A7S, the Ricoh GR and a DP2M and DP3M. I also have a Panasonic GH-2 and a 100-300 which I keep solely for the benefits of that lens.
Since acquiring the Sony system I have barely touched the Sigmas whereas I still regularly use my Ricoh GR. The reason being that there is a lot of overlap between the Sony and Sigma systems. I told myself at the beginning of owning the Sony system that I would continue to use my Sigmas. But the truth is, each time I go out to shoot intentionally a subject I pack up my Sony system and leave the Sigmas behind.
There are two reasons. Firstly, convenience. The Sonys are very convenient to use. The EVF is a dream and the tilting LCD is also very useful. I often find myself using the tilting screen with the Hoodman Loupe I purchased specifically to use with my Sigmas! The tilting screen and loupe allows for a convenient height for tripod shots and a working method which is very similar to my former Hasselblad (which I sold for weight issues).
A lovely shot of the interior of Greenstead Church, DP2M
Sony A7+CVUltron 21/1.4 - the convenience of the Sony is the interchangeable lens system.
Secondly, the image quality while not as good as the Sigmas at the pixel level is more attractive in terms of colouration and the dynamic range of the sensors is as good as the Sigmas, imho. I get more attractive looking photographs straight out of the camera - whereas with the Sigmas I am always fiddling in SPP or LR (after exporting as TIFFs) to get what I want.
The incredible low-light capability of the A7S - something a DPxM will never be able to match
For unintentional shooting, when I am wandering about the east end on my way to work, the little Ricoh is so convenient. I put it into TAV mode (fixed speed, fixed aperture, floating ISO) and snap away - sometimes using the external viewfinder, sometimes not. I can't quite put my finger on why I don't just grab the DP2M but I suspect it is because the 28mm lens on the Ricoh is very forgiving and the 16mp sensor (without anti aliasing filter) is very croppable.
One of my favourite early morning photographs in Spitalfields, Ricoh GR
I am not one to leave a camera on the shelf just in case I might use it. Having got good use out of the bodies and seeing some of the prices even s/h Merrills get on ebay I'd rather contribute the remaining capital in the cameras towards other equipment, or possibly another camera (e.g. the A7RII).
I really feel Sigma has not lived up to the promise of these cameras in the new product line of Quattros. The body alone leaves me cold. What we all want is simple. A Sigma CSC with EVF. I do not care if the sensor is APC or full frame. I doubt we will ever get this. Lens manufacture and sales are where Sigma earns its nut not in camera sales.
One of my favourite captures from the DP2M - the poignant 'Sheffield Memorial Park' on the Somme battlefied in northern France.
The Sigmas have been an extraordinary experience - and for me the experience has been worthwhile. Working with the Sigmas by definition has made me work on a tripod and compose shots carefully. But I am now transferring the exact same method to working with my A7R/S when shooting landscape. I still believe that if you cannot afford a Leica M9/240 and the 75mm APO then you can get as fine a result with the DP3M. But then I can also say the same thing about a Sony A7R/S and the excellent CZ 55/1.8 which easily rivals the captures from the Leica 50/1.4 Summilux I used to own. And likewise using the Sonys with the Loxia 2/35.
It is the wrong time of the year to sell kit (this I have learned from being an eBay member for 15 years) but I don't think I'll have these cameras beyond the next few months.
A good photographer friend of mine once made the point that multiple camera systems lead to confusion, e.g. which camera for which subject/job etc. I agree with him and have tried to limit myself to two systems max at any one time.
Currently I have a Sony A7R, A7S, the Ricoh GR and a DP2M and DP3M. I also have a Panasonic GH-2 and a 100-300 which I keep solely for the benefits of that lens.
Since acquiring the Sony system I have barely touched the Sigmas whereas I still regularly use my Ricoh GR. The reason being that there is a lot of overlap between the Sony and Sigma systems. I told myself at the beginning of owning the Sony system that I would continue to use my Sigmas. But the truth is, each time I go out to shoot intentionally a subject I pack up my Sony system and leave the Sigmas behind.
There are two reasons. Firstly, convenience. The Sonys are very convenient to use. The EVF is a dream and the tilting LCD is also very useful. I often find myself using the tilting screen with the Hoodman Loupe I purchased specifically to use with my Sigmas! The tilting screen and loupe allows for a convenient height for tripod shots and a working method which is very similar to my former Hasselblad (which I sold for weight issues).
A lovely shot of the interior of Greenstead Church, DP2M
Sony A7+CVUltron 21/1.4 - the convenience of the Sony is the interchangeable lens system.
Secondly, the image quality while not as good as the Sigmas at the pixel level is more attractive in terms of colouration and the dynamic range of the sensors is as good as the Sigmas, imho. I get more attractive looking photographs straight out of the camera - whereas with the Sigmas I am always fiddling in SPP or LR (after exporting as TIFFs) to get what I want.
The incredible low-light capability of the A7S - something a DPxM will never be able to match
For unintentional shooting, when I am wandering about the east end on my way to work, the little Ricoh is so convenient. I put it into TAV mode (fixed speed, fixed aperture, floating ISO) and snap away - sometimes using the external viewfinder, sometimes not. I can't quite put my finger on why I don't just grab the DP2M but I suspect it is because the 28mm lens on the Ricoh is very forgiving and the 16mp sensor (without anti aliasing filter) is very croppable.
One of my favourite early morning photographs in Spitalfields, Ricoh GR
I am not one to leave a camera on the shelf just in case I might use it. Having got good use out of the bodies and seeing some of the prices even s/h Merrills get on ebay I'd rather contribute the remaining capital in the cameras towards other equipment, or possibly another camera (e.g. the A7RII).
I really feel Sigma has not lived up to the promise of these cameras in the new product line of Quattros. The body alone leaves me cold. What we all want is simple. A Sigma CSC with EVF. I do not care if the sensor is APC or full frame. I doubt we will ever get this. Lens manufacture and sales are where Sigma earns its nut not in camera sales.
One of my favourite captures from the DP2M - the poignant 'Sheffield Memorial Park' on the Somme battlefied in northern France.
The Sigmas have been an extraordinary experience - and for me the experience has been worthwhile. Working with the Sigmas by definition has made me work on a tripod and compose shots carefully. But I am now transferring the exact same method to working with my A7R/S when shooting landscape. I still believe that if you cannot afford a Leica M9/240 and the 75mm APO then you can get as fine a result with the DP3M. But then I can also say the same thing about a Sony A7R/S and the excellent CZ 55/1.8 which easily rivals the captures from the Leica 50/1.4 Summilux I used to own. And likewise using the Sonys with the Loxia 2/35.
It is the wrong time of the year to sell kit (this I have learned from being an eBay member for 15 years) but I don't think I'll have these cameras beyond the next few months.