simonclivehughes
Active member
Having just gotten a Sigma DP1, I'm busy experimenting with it to find the best ways to both use it and then to process the images. So far, I'm using it in both autofocus mode and manual focus/hyperfocal mode. Both seem to have their uses although with AF mode. I'm finding there is almost no half-push on the shutter release so I sometimes end up taking the picture before I realize it. MF seems like the best way to shoot with the minimal lag for more street shooting style. Although the camera write times are relatively slow, I find it works well for my type of shooting. The IQ is nothing less than spectacular for the size of the camera!
Processing is another kettle of fish! Frankly, the necessity of having to use Sigma Photo Pro (SPP) is a genuine PITA! Compared to CS3 or Aperture it's a primitive, slow piece of software, especially on a Mac. But, since it's the only game in town (at least for now) I am using it to do the initial tweaks on the files and then porting them to CS3 for final processing. In general, here's my workflow:
1. Open the RAW files in SPP and adjust exposure, contrast, shadow, highlight sliders in a general sense.
2. Possibly use the X3 Fill Light slider (depends on the image).
3. Save as a 16-bit tif file (native size).
4. Open in Camera RAW for final tweaks to exposure, blacks, clarity and sometimes vibrance.
5. Open in CS3 for final processing which may include conversion to B&W etc. All other manipulation such as dodging and burning etc is done here. I'm finding that I rarely do any sharpening of the files (which is a surprise).
My questions for those of you using the DP1 are:
1. Does your workflow differ significantly from mine, and if so, in what way?
2. If you were going to upsize the image, would you do this in SPP or in CS3?
3. Does anyone have any specific color corrections they apply in either SPP or CS3 (or equivalent program)?
4. Any other tips for using the DP1 would be gratefully appreciated.
Here are some images from this morning. I rode out to Stave Lake in the Fraser Valley of BC. All images were taken handheld at ISO 100.
View attachment 7363
View attachment 7364
View attachment 7365
My trusty steed! (Piaggio MP3)
View attachment 7366
View attachment 7367
Cheers,
Processing is another kettle of fish! Frankly, the necessity of having to use Sigma Photo Pro (SPP) is a genuine PITA! Compared to CS3 or Aperture it's a primitive, slow piece of software, especially on a Mac. But, since it's the only game in town (at least for now) I am using it to do the initial tweaks on the files and then porting them to CS3 for final processing. In general, here's my workflow:
1. Open the RAW files in SPP and adjust exposure, contrast, shadow, highlight sliders in a general sense.
2. Possibly use the X3 Fill Light slider (depends on the image).
3. Save as a 16-bit tif file (native size).
4. Open in Camera RAW for final tweaks to exposure, blacks, clarity and sometimes vibrance.
5. Open in CS3 for final processing which may include conversion to B&W etc. All other manipulation such as dodging and burning etc is done here. I'm finding that I rarely do any sharpening of the files (which is a surprise).
My questions for those of you using the DP1 are:
1. Does your workflow differ significantly from mine, and if so, in what way?
2. If you were going to upsize the image, would you do this in SPP or in CS3?
3. Does anyone have any specific color corrections they apply in either SPP or CS3 (or equivalent program)?
4. Any other tips for using the DP1 would be gratefully appreciated.
Here are some images from this morning. I rode out to Stave Lake in the Fraser Valley of BC. All images were taken handheld at ISO 100.
View attachment 7363
View attachment 7364
View attachment 7365
My trusty steed! (Piaggio MP3)
View attachment 7366
View attachment 7367
Cheers,
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