Sigma DP2M discussion

[Mike Farley]

This is my current workflow for my DP2M images.

• In SPP, open files directly from the memory card.
• Extract the files to JPEG. This is actually quite quick, surprisingly.
• Review the JPEG images using ACDSee Pro.
• Convert images with potential to 16 bit TIFFs using SPP default settings.
• Open the TIFF files in Photoshop CC.
• Process the TIFF files using the Camera Raw filter.
• Make any further changes required using PS CC as usual.
• Import keepers into Lightroom for subsequent library management.

It's not ideal and having a DNG file which I can import directly into Lightroom would be a much better option. Come on, Sigma, sort it out.

The alternative approach is to bring the TIFFs directly into Lightroom and bypass the PS steps, but having worked on an image I do not always necessarily want to keep it.

[Mike Farley]

I have been going through my shots from the DP2M with a view to uploading some full size examples to an album on flickr to show what the camera can do. The images will be representative of my normal work*, with the purpose of showing the technical image quality which is possible in genuine shooting situations rather than pointing the camera at a brick wall. Given that there has been no response to my series of posts when I answered people's questions and comments, can I take it that interest has waned and this is no longer required?

* I.e. Not the best bits, such as they are, but the crud which I do not normally show which gets discarded at the editing stage.

[davidc]

I'm still interested, but felt the original conversation was derailed.

The camera is very cheap, even in the UK it's under 400GBP, but I'm still struggling to see any images taken side by side with a bayer camera that demonstrate the OMGWOW that is featured in reviews. I don't expect you to do that by any means, I'm just surprised that the examples I've seen - especially from sigma - don't seem to match the enthusiasm of reviews.

I even went so far as to go into an apple shop here, browse to sites with sample DPxM images and pull them up at 5k resolution on their new monitors. I'm still not seeing anything that is of sufficiently higher quality to a) excuse the flaws of the camera, b) exceeds that of my existing kit and c) is worth spending the cash on. If you feel you've got great examples I'd love to see them but as you said, it's not your place to sell it to me! In the meantime, I'm still exploring ways to check out the image quality for myself.

[Mike Farley]

The majority of the world has concluded that the Sigma cameras are not viable options and it sounds to me as though you are veering in that direction. All I can say is that the camera renders scenes in a way that is pleasing and I am seeing cleaner and sharper images than I get from anything else I own. How much difference that makes to the final image is more difficult to say, but I was sufficiently impressed to make the investment. If you are worried about the cash, you could always try a secondhand model and resell it without losing too much if it does not work out. My guess is that many used cameras will not have that many images on the clock as owners could be selling after becoming disillusioned with all the drawbacks.

Incidentally, there is another "gotcha" on the DP2M. It is possible to attach either the lens cap or the hood to the camera, but not both at the same time! I am not sure if the same applies to the other models.

Have you come across this guy yet in your researches?

http://diglloyd.com/blog/2013/20131122_ ... -pond.html

[Mike Farley]

Spot the Sigma DPxM owner.

[davidb]

Why is there no LIKE button

[davidc]

Too "social media" for the forum.

[Mike Farley]

Too "social media" for the forum.

What's social media?

[Mike Farley]

One of my shots for this evening's print competition was taken on the DP2M. I wonder if anyone will spot it?

[Mike Farley]

One of my shots for this evening's print competition was taken on the DP2M. I wonder if anyone will spot it?

Well, that didn't go too well. The judge did say the shot was sharp, though. The other problems with the image were nothing to do with the camera.