Sigma DP3 Merrill Experiences

[Rand47]

Here we go my friends

http://www.sigma-dp.com/DP3Merrill/

Full size Sample here :

http://www.sigma-dp.com/DP3Merrill/samplephoto.html

There is a load of sample and they blow my mind away. What a camera !

Ho, and don't forget those shoots was made with prototype unit and firmware back in November; production unit might have some little glitch sorted.

Yes, I'm no pixel-peeper typically, so I'm surprised when I see some significant vertical banding in the DP3M-02 image, especially visible all along the bottom of the frame.   Hopefully they'll have that sorted out prior to launch.
I also see a little softness in the extreme corners, more visible at wide apertures of course.  Shots at f/5 and above look good in this respect but perhaps not on par with the DP2's brilliance corner-to-corner.
I really like this focal length, and am anxious to get my hands on one!

[Hulyss]

Yes, I'm no pixel-peeper typically, so I'm surprised when I see some significant vertical banding in the DP3M-02 image, especially visible all along the bottom of the frame.   Hopefully they'll have that sorted out prior to launch.
I also see a little softness in the extreme corners, more visible at wide apertures of course.  Shots at f/5 and above look good in this respect but perhaps not on par with the DP2's brilliance corner-to-corner.
I really like this focal length, and am anxious to get my hands on one!

I agree with you. I will not buy it immediately. After some though, I think I will let some ppl to buy it first, to see how it goes on human skin because, before all, I shoot humans.

[Rob C]

I agree with you. I will not buy it immediately. After some though, I think I will let some ppl to buy it first, to see how it goes on human skin because, before all, I shoot humans.

Sometimes, buying immediately is better: witness the Rootes Group's Hillman Imp.

My maw'n'lo bought one of the very first off the line - they were built within ten miles of her house. I had a little Ford Popular at the time, and it was reaching its fifth or sixth birthday and I wanted something newer, more radical. I tried out her Imp and it was a revelation in acceleration and the benefit of an opening tailgate window. (Think 9ft Colorama background rolls.) So, off went the Pop and in came the Imp. Except. Except that the Coventry Climax engine that had allowed the excitement has subsequently been detuned, and the suspension altered somewhat too, I felt.

Sometimes they do get it right first time and then eff it up later.

Rob C

[Hulyss]

Hello Rob,

I understand what you say but I'm a human photographer before all. Human skin is my concern so I will wait until some skilled "guinea pig" test it for me

[Adam L]

I'm curious about the lens hood.  It looks like it adds another couple inches to the form factor.   Does it collapse into the lens when not in use or should we prepare for the added bulk?

[Hulyss]

I'm curious about the lens hood.  It looks like it adds another couple inches to the form factor.   Does it collapse into the lens when not in use or should we prepare for the added bulk?

Hello Adam,

No, the lens hood is a screw type one and it doesn't collapse.

[Hulyss]

Here we go for more examples processed with SIGMA Monochrome :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shio/sets/72157632647079397/

And some colors :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/shio/sets/72157632641352067/


NOTA1 : This was done with a beta device.

NOTA2 : After watching the photos and, especially, the exifs, I think the guy need some advice on "how to use properly a camera ..."

[uvl]

A lot of grain for 100 ISO monochrome shots but it doesn't look bad.
Color shots might be out of camera JPGs or developed automatically.
Sharpness is not bad at all. IMHO to many shots without deeper
understanding of the RAW development. We are all guilty of uploading crap to flickr  .
Uwe

[Hulyss]

Hello,

Spotted a new beta tester of the DP3m :

http://www.flickr.com/photos/minami/sets/72157632685189093/

http://www.flickr.com/photos/minami/sets/72157632685178741/

Photos are kinda better.

[Hulyss]

Again, a new tester. No full rez photos but better photos. I let you translate.

http://photo.yodobashi.com/sigma/imp/dp3m.html

[Pete_G]

I'm really not seeing the eye popping detail of the DP2M in these tests. Is it the lens or just the photography?

[Hulyss]

I'm really not seeing the eye popping detail of the DP2M in these tests. Is it the lens or just the photography?

I see it on the official samples. Some may say that the optic is not as good as the 30mm on the DP2m but I say she is as good. This just not the same focal length and a sharp shoot at f2.8 should be a longest distance than with the DP2m. Just maths and correct use of a medium telephoto lens.

So, don't rely on this early shoots and wait till one of us have it.

[Pete_G]

So, don't rely on this early shoots and wait till one of us have it.

Yes, I will. I'm sure you, Quentin and others will get the best out of it.

[speedyk]

Here is the 4 actuals JPEG displayed out of the DP3m, cleaner. Note that the photographer is not anyone : It is Tomio Seike ! (I love Tomio's work).

I do too, and had not seen it before. Thank you. Amazing.

[usathyan]

2 more links to see and enjoy DP3M:

http://dc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/review/newproduct/20130222_588809.html

http://www.sigma-photo.co.jp/camera/dp3_merrill/#/gallery

[hasselbladfan]

I really cannot understand why Sigma is not building in a viewfinder for obvious pro or passionate users.

This is not a mom-pop camera.

I would already be happy with an optical viewfinder. Can't be that difficult on the DP1M or DP2M.

[Hulyss]

For now, it look like there will be no Cash Back outside Japan...

[usathyan]

http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazyshin/

The bokeh is really nice and creamy in this shot...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crazyshin/8497602888/sizes/k/in/photostream/

Liking what I am seeing on this little wonder...

[Hulyss]

Some fresh news :

First, I will have my precious next week and I'm happy Will come with 3 batteries, SAC-5, lens hood, Heliopan SHPMC UV filter 52mm and so on ...

Second, and do not ask me how I know that, it seems there will a cash back outside Japan borders after all . It is just a bit long to set all the system, at least in Europe, and I speak for France. More news between the 1st and 3rd of March.

Now, about the actuals samples we can see here and here, and this is just my opinion and my photographer's eye point of view, it seems the colorimetric rendering is different than DP1m and DP2m, more realist and adjusted.

Wait and see

[janus]

Michael:

Are you going to review this camera as you did with the DP1/2 Merrills?


Thanks