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Sigma DP2 Merrill - LL Review (added DP1M)

This is a discussion on Sigma DP2 Merrill - LL Review (added DP1M) within the Equipment Talk forums, part of the Photography Information category; This camera has interested me when it was the absurdly expensive DP2, but price made it all but DOA. It ...


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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    Sigma DP2 Merrill - LL Review (added DP1M)

    This camera has interested me when it was the absurdly expensive DP2, but price made it all but DOA. It is now the DP2 Merrill, which is more affordable and closer in line with the x100.

    Sigma DP2M Review

    Quote Originally Posted by Reichmann
    Let me be clear up front, though I'll have more to write about this further in this report. This is anything but your typical large sensor pocket camera. It fails badly against the competition in some respects but blows them away in others. Also, anyone looking for a pocket camera for taking pictures at the kids birthday party should definately look elsewhere. This is the wrong tool for that job.
    Quote Originally Posted by Reichmann
    The sensor in the DP2 Merrill is scary in its resolving power. To their immense credit Sigma has married it with a lens that is similar outstanding in its resolving power. The two together present a file that has to be seen to be believed, and which punches well above its weight when it comes to print enlargability. Beautifully clean and crisp 20X24" prints are no problem, and likely larger ones, though I have not yet made any.
    Quote Originally Posted by Reichmann
    In the context of the DP2 Merrill the only photographers who are going to be happy with this camera are ones who can ignore its few faults and rejoice in the remarkable image quality that the camera is capable of. To get the most from the DP2M will require not just patience (hesitant AF, slow buffer writes, lousy raw software, wobbly screen image, etc) but the willingness to put these aside in exchange for what is delivered – the highest image quality from any camera this side of a 36MP+ DSLR or Medium format camera or back. No mincing words. That's what I see.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    Supa Dupa Poster d2creative's Avatar
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    the highest image quality from any camera this side of a 36MP+ DSLR or Medium format camera or back. No mincing words. That's what I see.
    Those are some strong words.
    -dennis
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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    He took a look at the DP1M now: Sigma DP1 Merrill

    Quote Originally Posted by Reichmann
    Make no mistake. As I've written, like its sister the DP2M this is not a camera for dilettantes. But, if you are willing to forgive (or at least accept) its foibles (crap battery life, slow file writes, annoying raw software) you will be rewarded with some of the most amazing image quality short of medium format or sheet film.
    Quote Originally Posted by Reichmann
    The only real technical limitation is that the DP1M and DP2M are limited in print size to what one would get from a 24-28MP camera; let's call it about an 20X30" print. At any print size smaller, assuming the use of ISO 100 or 200 and high enough shutter speed or a tripod, I would challenge a gallery print comparison with just about any other camera lens combination, and yes, I'm including a Nikon D800e with top glass or a Leica M9.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    Forum Master kwhite's Avatar
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    I've wanted to try one of these cameras but I don't want to spend much money in case it doesn't work out. I'm guessing the resale value is not too high.
    Ken White
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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by kwhite View Post
    I've wanted to try one of these cameras but I don't want to spend much money in case it doesn't work out. I'm guessing the resale value is not too high.
    Yeah, the software aspect sounds like a deal breaker for me right now. How frustrating to be able to capture what sounds like amazing detail only to have to use some terrible software to process it.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    Forum Regular DiskoJoe's Avatar
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    I wish Sony and Sigma could just get married and develop better software and give sigma cameras an A-mount.
    Snarfy and groovyone like this.

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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DiskoJoe View Post
    I wish Sony and Sigma could just get married and develop better software and give sigma cameras an A-mount.
    You and me both! There was a lot of speculation a few years back that Sony may be a partner for the Foevon. I would have very likely bought the SD1 Merrel if it had an A mount. Zeiss AF glass + Foevon could have been impressive.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    $1K for a point & shoot????

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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by DougC View Post
    $1K for a point & shoot????
    Did you say that about the Fuji x100 too? It is still an APS-C sensor and in this case one that out resolves most anything else out there. I guess you haven't seen the $2800 Sony RX1 yet.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    Forum Master DougC's Avatar
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    Viewed as stepping stones to better things in more serious cameras, ok. But they're not something I would consider for myself. Have at it if you want one!

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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    I totally get these will not appeal to most, but the unusually high IQ and resolution in a body like this is very interesting to me. It is just to bad the electronics are so clunky.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    Quote Originally Posted by groovyone View Post
    I totally get these will not appeal to most, but the unusually high IQ and resolution in a body like this is very interesting to me. It is just to bad the electronics are so clunky.
    Alright, going to sounds stupid here, so please forgive me. It sounds like some of the problems could be fixed with a firmware update. Can things like buffer speed be improved with an update, or is that dependent on the hardware used in the camera?
    You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. ~Frank Zappa

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    The Sony Alpha Mod groovyone's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by auddii View Post
    Alright, going to sounds stupid here, so please forgive me. It sounds like some of the problems could be fixed with a firmware update. Can things like buffer speed be improved with an update, or is that dependent on the hardware used in the camera?
    Typically something like that would be more hardware dependent. They can maybe improve efficiency and get some speed up with firmware, but that depends on how much of a kluge their firmware was to begin with.
    "Sometimes I do get to places just when God's ready to have somebody click the shutter". - Ansel Adams
    "If I could tell the story in words, I wouldn't need to lug around a camera." ~Lewis Hine
    "No one cares how hard you worked...but they will notice if you didn't work hard enough." -Ctein

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    Modrey auddii's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by groovyone View Post
    Typically something like that would be more hardware dependent. They can maybe improve efficiency and get some speed up with firmware, but that depends on how much of a kluge their firmware was to begin with.
    Just noticed at the bottom of the first review that there's an update that there's already been a firmware update. I don't know if the update changed anything though. Guess that would be a different article.
    You can't be a real country unless you have a beer and an airline. It helps if you have some kind of a football team, or some nuclear weapons, but at the very least you need a beer. ~Frank Zappa

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    Forum Master DougC's Avatar
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    Agreed.

    I just can't get excited about a camera that produces great images that will most likely be viewed only on the LCD. Typical owners of this type of camera remind me of the old days when people carried an F5 around their necks with a $99.00 kit lens on it.

    Progress is progress regardless of it's form so if this type of camera leads to bigger and better things, more power to it!

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