OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

The revolutionary sensor, the Sigma FoveonX3 has been used on at least three upgrades of DSLRs ending with the Sigma SD1 Merrill. It revolutionized the way camera sensors work by looking at how color film emulsions work with stacked layers rather than arrays and consensus computations like in the Bayer sensor. This gives better color rendition at the expense of high ISO--yet higher ISO than color films. The SD1 is a 46mpixel weather resistant magnesium body camera of the highest quality. This thread should be for those who own and use the Sigma DSLRs----Eric

Quixdraw Loc: x

Don't have one, but the photos gotten with them in expert hands are remarkable. If I didn't dislike Raw and processing in general, I'd own one.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Mario Dirks, a German photographer received a year's salary and probably $25K of Sigma gear to circle the globe in a year's time for them. Dirk's published a Rocky Nook book with narrative of his world tour titled OUT WORLD TOUR (with his wife) That highlighed the Sigma SD1. Remarkable images with somewhat abbreviated technical data. Sigma introduced what they though was a camera value at $10,000. for the SD1. But the market ingrained with Bayer sensors in high end Nikon, Canon, and Sonys, thought otherwise. So--Sigma was forced to lower their price to $3,300 and change the name slightly calling the SD1---the SD1 Merrill, named after the inventor of the Foveon X3 sensor technology. The higher price was marginalized by the critics who compared it to higher ISO range Bayers and the lack of rapid multi images and video capabilities already available on the other top brands. But is a still camera for movies? Now they call that FUSION photography and some wedding people take both video and still with the same camera. But Sigma DSLRs are not capable of that. They are made for ideal color renditions and raw file photography with files of 45 megabytes of data.----ew

Quixdraw Loc: x

Hypothetically, though last I searched, no time frame, they are working on a new camera. What I've seen so far, makes me want to keep watching. BTW they do a helluva job on Monochrome as well.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Recently, they said they delayed that project. Maybe even as I read it they had a falling out with the Foveon company in California. The have moved their efforts more into mirrorless. The SD1 Merrill does output in JPEG as well as Raw and both together. And somehow---the raw images have an embedded JPEG so in a viewer not handling the raw format---somehow a JPEG shows. That is not the case with the earlier models. I have five Sigma Foveon X3s in three models. Another complaint from the beginning, also is the Foveon is a "cropped" sensor. As you gather, I believe Sigma got a bum rap. And the used market thinks so also. I saw one on ebay listed for $2300. And that was probably the low street price back when the Merril was introduced at $3300. Of course there are many others at lower prices--but one doesn't know how much wear. I will probably have mine and use them forever since I have a lowlight Sony and an HDV video.----Eric

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Since this thread was posted---there have been no answers as to UHH ownership of Sigma Foveon sensor cameras. So I might conclude there is little to none. Currently, I am corresponding with the company in Japan to get the scientific evaluation of the FoveonX3 in the 46mpixel body as to gray-scale--dynamic range--characteristic curve and any other data they have. And when I get that I will post it. It does well up to ASA/ISO--400--but all digitals do best at their native ISO100. I am not surprised that few if any UHH photogs have Sigma Foveon cameras. The reviewers have compared them with non-essentials in the big three--like taking movies with a still camra---shooting in the dark---etc.----ew

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

I noticed that in UHH that there are a number of Hasselblad camera owners discussing the hugely expensive digital backs. Which means there are serious photographers on this site. Obviously they would be working in manual mode and not doing all the extracurricular activities which sell the latest model cameras. And the same with the owners of the SigmaFoveonX3 camera bodies. Yet the Sigma systems have extremely sharp auto focusing and the needed modern attributes that digital photographers depend on within the limits of large 45 megabytes of data in each raw file. The SigmaFoveonX3s is a niche market, unfortunately and found unprofitable for Sigma.----Eric

BebuLamar

I don't have one because I like the idea of capturing all 3 color channels per pixel site but then they use an algorithm to increase the number of pixels. They couldn't make sensor with enough pixels. So in the end I don't think it's better than sensor bayer type sensor.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

They are the ones who do not use an algorithm. (there is a relative balancing of the color like is done in film, though) They count the pixels and there are 46 megapixels stacked three high. Therefore the Sigma FoveonX3 result is sharper (without filters or algorithms) than gathering the colors adjacent and determining the result as the Bayer sensors do. Therefore they get the color like a color film emulsion does---not a computer determined color. The data of each file in raw is 45 megabytes--which is all one would want to process for each photograph--at least on my computers. (also JPEG and tiff options) But they have a very good post-process program for using all that data. There are many misconceptions about the stacked sensor--but it is plenty for a 16x20 and cropping. The two earlier models were very adequate, also. I have all three.----Eric

BebuLamar

you like it you buy it. To me they cheated.

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Have it your way. There are 46megapiels, though---but radically different from the Bayer format in all other sensors. The 46megapixels are there--just not in the same spread. Your sensor calls one resulting pixel---three and so does Sigma. Yes I have bought and used 5. And I have found no equal comparison with my other many Bayer cameras I use for lesser purposes. That is why I also started the thread about crooked reviews possibly in thrall of the giants---Nikon, Canon, and Sony who cannot compete on a QI basis.---ew

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Oh Foveon ... we hardly knew you :-(

(Download)

OldSchool-WI Loc: Brandon, Wisconsin 53919

Snarky--snarky--snarky, as usual---Didn't you read the repeat of the rules by the Administrator of UHH just this morning about posting copyrighted photos--or doesn't that apply to ID-(anonymous)?

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When a photo is but a minor element of an overwhelmingly new creation, that is fair use. Snarkiness qualifies under that exemption. It’s a qualitative thing and is not measured by column inches or cubic centimeters. Snarkiness constitutes an entirely new creation and brings with it an overriding benefit to all humankind.