^^^^ Hulyss ^^^^
Your evaluation is disappointing and as a staunch supporter of the DPxM line also worrying.
I must admit I have not used my Merrils much in recent months, especially since buying the Ricoh GR.
I also decided to invest in a Sony A7 system. I must say, having a proper viewfinder is extremely refreshing after making do with clip on viewfinders or just the LCD back.
What a shame that Sigma did not at least add a clip on EVF to this system. I'm not trolling just reacting to the fact that it now seems de rigeur for compacts to have this as an option - and Sony's new RX100MkIII completely ups the game as far as EVFs and compacts are concerned.
I do wonder if my DP2M and DP3M will actually become 'collectors' items in a few years if Sigma have indeed abandoned the purity and quirkiness of Foveon as you suggest.
LouisB
Hello Louis !
Yes it is disappointing, even for me. We are in 2014 ... and other brands are working well. I have the DP3m witch is a gem, the Quattro is returning Monday. It do not worth the money. It look like this camera have been made only for people who know nothing about foveon and that SIGMA do not care about old users.
I also invested in an another system, the XT-1 and some good glass and I'm pretty happy. It is a real system and it capture very good pictures. Ok, it is not a Merrill but I quickly PPed a photo to show the potential. Fixed lens can get very boring finally. The design of the Quattro just sucks after all, too big and not practical. Next in the bag is the A7s because 12 Mp are enought for me and I need video.
So yes, DP2m and DP3m are already collector. I hear somewhere that the production is ended and that shops sell there stocks actually.
We are in 2014 and I agree with all your points. Remember my brickma ??
SIGMA SP specifications: Code name "Brickma"
- New Merrill+ "dragon" Foveon sensor , ISO range 100-6400 (pushed 50-8000). 18Mp x 3 = 54 Mp.
- 800 ISO shoots as clean as 100 ISO shoots.
- New processor TRUE III engine for faster processing and video.
- Video H264 - 30fps / 60fps
- Batteries life up to 600 frames.
- First grade aluminium body and magnesium chassis, a bigger DP merrill (same shape)
- Extensively weather-sealed, all joins and ports featuring protective lips and bungs.
- 3" TFT LCD monitor with brightness/color adjustment and AR coating - 921,000 dots.
- Double SDXC card slot.
- New 3Focus feature : AF, MF by the lens or MF by a custom wheel on the back (à la DP2s). Continuous Focus for video and sport action.
- It is a screw focus, that mean no motor in the lenses, no focus by wire.
- Customisable back wheel.
- Swappable IR filter.
- Electronic level.
- Wifi remote control + tethering options (remote not included).
- Electronic finder (same as fuji) - orientable 2.4m dot OLED display pluggable on the hotshoe (not included).
- AF assist lamp.
- No curtain, no mirror, no mechanical pieces for an extra long life.
SIGMA SX lens line specifications:
- The world first Leaf shutter compact lenses.
- For now, 3 lenses available - 19mm f2.8 - 35mm f1.4 and 50mm f1.2
- Electronic leaf shutter 30 sec to 1/8000 + bulb mode possible.
- First grade aluminium.
- Extensively weather-sealed
Hoo and I forgot to mention the SD card door of the quattro : Utter crap !
So the DP3m is for me like the D700 is for Nikon users.