Sigma DP2 merrill anyone ugraded from DP2

[d_ross]

I am thinking of upgrading from my DP2 to a DP2 Merrill, and wondered if anyone here had done this, if so I'd love to know your thoughts about the new model compared to the old one.

Thanks in advance.

[jsrockit]

I haven't seen anyone talk of buying it here. Perhaps the $999 is too steep to take a chance for this camera?

[maitani]

i ve handled it a week ago at a store, where a rep stubled by, files are absolutely impressive, when price hits below 700 I'm buying one for sure.

[segedi]

It has the same type of 30mm lens that I have for my NEX, which is outstanding. And it looks more compact. It should be even better on the Merrill not having an AA filter... I'm surely tempted but would have to sell something first.

[Lss]

If ever there is Aperture support.

[maitani]

Sensor performance and pixel detail at low iso is in and own league (probably only matched my the M9Monochrome whicht does b/w only), I've browsed some snaps he had on the camera from buildings (exported as 46 mp file 16bit TIFF file, lossless conversion from the sigma Raw file, the camera handles pretty fast now too, the latest sigma software doesn't look all that bad either.

[btgc]

I'll let it come down in price. DP-series is like drugs - everyone asks you if you really need this, and you also are asking yourself, but still can't resist.

[burancap]

I have sorta' -I did not have a DP2, but rather a DP1, so it was not really an "upgrade." Furthermore, I am actually quite recent to the Sigma world having just bought the DP1 a month ago. The results I saw from that are what made the jump to the DP2M the easiest photography choice I may have ever made.

The new DP2M is just about my dream camera. I have tried EVERYTHING and it is shaping up to be my Holy Grail. I have posted a few shots on site here already, one in the very folder (Point-N-Shoot) as this thread. Have a LOOK HERE and also follow my siggy out to Flickr where I have been compiling a set. Make sure to check them at the largest size available to you!

I have lots of thoughts racing through my head regarding the DP2M and have been busy on the film side of things, but I will be happy to try and answer any questions you might have and eventually offer some of my take on it as well!

[AJS Lamb]

Jeff

I'm considering the DP2M. The appeal of that kind of image quality in a compact is pretty strong.

Two questions: what's the AF like and how slow are the write times?

Thanks

Andrew

[d_ross]

Originally Posted by burancap

I have sorta' -I did not have a DP2, but rather a DP1, so it was not really an "upgrade." Furthermore, I am actually quite recent to the Sigma world having just bought the DP1 a month ago. The results I saw from that are what made the jump to the DP2M the easiest photography choice I may have ever made.

The new DP2M is just about my dream camera. I have tried EVERYTHING and it is shaping up to be my Holy Grail. I have posted a few shots on site here already, one in the very folder (Point-N-Shoot) as this thread. Have a LOOK HERE and also follow my siggy out to Flickr where I have been compiling a set. Make sure to check them at the largest size available to you!

I have lots of thoughts racing through my head regarding the DP2M and have been busy on the film side of things, but I will be happy to try and answer any questions you might have and eventually offer some of my take on it as well!

Thanks for that, I'm not concerned with any of the file write times or slow focusing issues etc that people talk about with the DP camera's, as that doesn't effect the way I work. I was really wondering how much better the file produced large prints, I have very happily made 20x30 inch prints from the DP2, and was wondering if anyone had made larger prints from the DP2M and if so how they compared to the DP2.

[Archlich]

After a bit of reading I found it likely to be with:

- much improved controls and speed in operation
- unparalleled IQ at low ISO
- mediocre noise performance at higher ISO, a X3 tradition
- a thick body, also lacking an internal flash (known fact from the press photos)
- very short battery life, some 100-150 shots per charge

Pure speculations from other users' feedback, though. Only as credible as the Worldwide Web gets..

[thegman]

When I shot digital, I really liked my DP1, the image quality was indeed fantastic, and if a DP2M is the same but more resolution, it'll be great. I think $999 is a bargain for a camera that has image quality similar to top end DSLRs or even medium format digital backs.

[d_ross]

I've always really liked the look of the sigma files, they are as people say more film like than other sensors, and one of the things I'm very interested to know is if this look has been maintained with the extra resolution in the DP2M?

[clear2000]

Originally Posted by d_ross

I am thinking of upgrading from my DP2 to a DP2 Merrill, and wondered if anyone here had done this, if so I'd love to know your thoughts about the new model compared to the old one.

Thanks in advance.

I've been thinking about it as well but I'm going to wait. I recently re-bought the DP2 and I can't really justify the need of another DP2.
I have been checking the images on flickr and they look really good. Steve Huff has a review of the DP2M, he makes a lot of good points.

[d_ross]

Originally Posted by clear2000

I've been thinking about it as well but I'm going to wait. I recently re-bought the DP2 and I can't really justify the need of another DP2.
I have been checking the images on flickr and they look really good. Steve Huff has a review of the DP2M, he makes a lot of good points.

Thanks I just read that review, and have ordered one.

[burancap]

First of all, the Steve Huff review (and 90% of the comments) mirrors most of my sentiments towards the DP2M. I don't wish to rehash that but I will comment as follows regarding a few Q's in this thread ...

With regards to AF: I think it as about the same as my FW updated DP1. In high contrast, well lit scenes -it is fast enough. Outside of that it likes to hunt all over. There is a focus delimiter which I have just enabled -that reduces the AF range from 28cm<->INF to 1m<->INF. In limited practice, it seems faster -I will confirm this with some use. The bottom line is the AF is notoriously SLOW in ALL of the DP's. With that said, setting the camera to MF and prefocusing means that it fires immediately. So if you are a zone focuser -there is NOTHING to complain about here, except random misfires!

With regards to write times: Yes, again -this is a Sigma! It must have been improved though as the transfer rate is about 10-12 seconds which is on par with my DP1, but there are some variables to consider that clearly I would need to test further -specifically regarding the cards in use.

My 10-12 second write times as I use them...

1.) DP1 RAW only (~14-16MB) to a 4G CLASS4 SD
2.) DP2M RAW only (~45-55MB) to a 16G CLASS10 SD (45mb/s)

Those are some hefty files being transferred! Now, do keep in mind that the DP2M does allow continual shooting in that even while writing to the card you ARE able to make setting changes and you ARE able to take more shots. I have not had any issues running into any buffering limits, yet. In fact, there is some sort of "infinite" shooting mode that I am yet to investigate. So, I guess the question is: If you buy a fast card -is there really an issue?

[lam]

I just got my DP2x from repair and have been following DP2m progress among other forums, and I feel I will get one once the price lowers a bit (inevitable). I feel the Foveon is like others have said, a drug and i'm almost happy in that way it's not so damn popular.

I do notice write times on my DP2x to be considerably faster than the DP1 I had using the same card, (95mb/sec Sandisk Extreme Pro) I highly suggest getting one if you haven't already, it may make the DP2m files write smoother! Can't wait to read more of your thoughts on it.

How about lens extention/contraction, i'm under the impression it doesn't get longer anymore—which is nice (considering my DP2x went in for repair due to lens extension/sensors getting dust).

[burancap]

Originally Posted by lam

How about lens extention/contraction, i'm under the impression it doesn't get longer anymore—which is nice (considering my DP2x went in for repair due to lens extension/sensors getting dust).

That is correct. The lens is fixed. This would preclude the drive failure issues from the earlier models. One would think that would make it more "pocketable" but the increased overall size doesn't help that, not to mention that use of a hood on ANY DP makes easy pocketing impossible.

Regarding overall size related to bodies that folks may be familiar with:

Leica I/II/II: Close
Leica M dig: About ~80% smaller in all dims
Leica M film: About " except depth (close).
Leica X1/2: Very close if not identical -the "squaring up" makes it seem bigger
Nikon Ti's: Close
Olympus OM 1/2: Very close -a bit shorter and narrower
Sony NEx5n: Bigger in every dimension, excepting depth depending on the Nex lens

It has the same, perhaps even better quality of fit/finish as the previous models. It feels very nice and solid, though relatively light. I don't care for the new lens offset. It would have been nice if centered rather than the opposite direction they headed. It is MUCH simpler in every facet as far as buttons/protrusions, etc... very teutonic, dare I say ... Leica like. In fact, it may be moreso than all Leica digitals excepting the Ms themselves! I would say that overall, its closest peer from an overall user experience would be the Leica X1, not the X2 with its new EVF option. That would have been a nice addition to the Merrill, IMHO. Oh, and they dropped the inbuilt flash, but the shoe is still hot, FWIW.

[dovi]

Looking at the dpreview forum I read that there have ben some complaints with battery life, focusing speed, Strange Banding in the sky or lighter parts of an image and a strange thing that can happen to the skin tones in shadow. Many are blaming quality control. Some have found workarounds to these problems .Not to mention that it is known to be high quality only at low ISO's.

Resolution looks great.

I will wait for word that these issues have been resolved and a good price drop.

I like that the camera is very small. I can put the dp2x in a medium sized pocket with a litttle effort.

[burancap]

Originally Posted by dovi

I like that the camera is very small. I can put the dp2x in a medium sized pocket with a litttle effort.

The Merrill is BIGGER in every dimension than its predecessors. What "just fit" is no more, but I never really considered the DPs as "pocket" cameras and the new Merrill stops that thought in its tracks.

[burancap]

Battery life? HA!

Without question, my biggest gripe so far! Surely this is why Sigma includes not one, but two batteries! Frankly, two is not enough. I think that the 100-200 shots/battery being claimed elsewhere would be fantastic. I am getting maybe 50!!!

Batteries (and any Merrill specific accessories) are hard to come by. It would seem some early adopters are going the eBay/overseas route. If they are available direct from Sigma via their website -well, that is news to me. The good news is that the battery is apparently the equivalent of the Ricoh GRD IV which is available. I have bought some battery holsters and plan on filling them up!

[jsrockit]

Originally Posted by burancap

Battery life? HA!

I am getting maybe 50!!!

Wow, manufactuers just keep seeing how low they can go and still get our cash.

[burancap]

Originally Posted by jsrockit

Wow, manufactuers just keep seeing how low they can go and still get our cash.

I don't know what is going on! Heavy file transfer in this case, I suppose??? Regarding other manufacturers -you may well be right as batteries keep getting worse and worse!

Back in the day, I bought a Nikon D50 and it came with two batteries. Even after all of these years and use/abuse -I often forget the thing even has a battery! Excellent!

In the short time I have had the DP2M -I forgot the second battery ONCE. It will not happen again. My purchased holsters will be going bandolier style on a new strap (the stock one is awful)!

[btgc]

Not a bad thing, people used to 500 shots per charge will not bid on Merril DP's. Question, if bargain lovers will still be OK with 50 shots - if only that's not issue of new battery while being broken into.

[d_ross]

I have no idea how many shots I get from my DP2 battery now, and am not concerned with this when the DP2M arrives. I think DP camera's are for a specific type of person, myself included. I like them because the result is film like with extremely good detail etc. if you want speed, and want to take 5000 pictures a day, then you would be a fool to buy any DP camera, but if you think and work slowly, in the tradition of film, and your not trying to be Garry Winogrand, I can't think of a better camera!