The Foveon Club: Life Unfiltered

fiveseven · 06-09-2020, 05:21 AM - **1 Like**

My redone Sigma group

SD15, SD Q, SD-3M and SD1M.

Just a quick test with the latest addition (18-35mm 1.8 A)

Last edited by fiveseven; 06-09-2020 at 07:31 PM.

**hjoseph7** · 06-16-2020, 12:38 AM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by scratchpaddy

Sigma's been making (small) waves with their introduction of a line of compacts and DSLRs with the unique Foveon sensor, which lack both the ubiquitous Bayer filter and any sort of antialiasing filter.

The 46MP figure Sigma touts on the latest sensors is a little misleading; the pictures it produces are 16MP, but each pixel in the picture has it's own red, green, and blue pixel on the sensor. This is what makes the Foveon different.

The list includes:

DP1: 18mm fixed-lens compact with 14MP sensor
DP2: 30mm fixed-lens compact with 14MP sensor
DP1 Merrill: 18mm fixed-lens compact with 46MP sensor
DP2 Merrill: 30mm fixed-lens compact with 46MP sensor
DP3 Merrill: 50mm macro fixed-lens compact with 46MP sensor

edit: Sigma's entire line of DSLRs, which began in 2002, feature Foveon sensors. The most recent ones are:

SD14: DSLR with 1st-gen 14MP sensor, using Sigma's own SA lens mount.
SD15: Same as SD14, but with updated image processing engine
SD1: DSLR with 46MP sensor, using Sigma's own SA lens mount.
SD1 Merrill: Re-launch of SD1 with reduced price. Identical to SD1.

Along with the filters, Sigma has also left out decent batteries, HD video, low-light capabilities, stabilization of any kind, decent JPEGS, and RAW files which can be processed by something besides Sigma's PITA software, but all we care about is the pictures, right? Right! So let's post them!

Mine is a DP2 Merrill, with the 30mm lens and the second-generation Foveon sensor.

Because it's an APS-C sensor, shallow DOF is no problem:

Careful, it's kinda sharp!

The 30mm lens doesn't distort the picture; that fence post on the left really is bent.

To really show you what this sensor can do, here's a 100% crop of that last picture, which was already somewhat cropped. No, I did not sharpen it.

So, I'm hoping a few others have bought one of these awesome cameras, and have a few pictures to share. Anyone?

I'm not sure if it's my monitor, but a lot of the pictures taken with this camera look grainy, almost film like.

MJKoski · 06-17-2020, 03:20 AM - **4 Likes**

That is what Foveon does. Based on my (short) experience with Sigma Quattro SD. Images have super high acutance and very slight luminance noise is present at base ISO100.

But...the usability of the Quattro SD is a total wreck. Also, I have not found out how to disable long exposure noise reduction which kicks in at one second or so. Very annoying.

fiveseven · 06-17-2020, 02:21 PM - **3 Likes**

Any criticizing feedback or comments are more then welcomed or even preferred (that is how we get better).

Last edited by fiveseven; 06-17-2020 at 07:34 PM.

fiveseven · 09-10-2020, 07:53 PM - **4 Likes**

Updated Sigma club (nearly half of my camera's collection).

SD Q

SD15

DP3M

**Clarkey** · 10-18-2020, 07:24 PM - **3 Likes**

I'm now a member of this ridiculousness - a DP2 Quattro came by at a price I could not resist. Great shooting camera, very much like a medium format camera experience of old.

Saturated by Aaron, on Flickr

Looking over the river by Aaron, on Flickr

MJKoski · 10-19-2020, 02:21 AM - **1 Like**

That forest stream would pop nicely with a polarizer filter.

CedrusMacro · 06-16-2021, 10:29 AM - **1 Like**

I've finally got my own DP1 after jealously looking in awe at the images my partners DP1s took. I truly find the images this sensor makes fascinating! Not the most exciting images, but still pop like nothing else and simple to edit.

**jeffshaddix** · 06-16-2021, 05:56 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CedrusMacro

I've finally got my own DP1 after jealously looking in awe at the images my partners DP1s took. I truly find the images this sensor makes fascinating! Not the most exciting images, but still pop like nothing else and simple to edit.

Congrats, I may be getting a foveon soon as well. Glad you're liking it.

CedrusMacro · 06-17-2021, 03:10 PM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Congrats, I may be getting a foveon soon as well. Glad you're liking it.

That's cool, I think whichever of them that fits your budget you'll be impressed at the images. I'd like to try a Merrill or quattro.

**jeffshaddix** · 06-18-2021, 05:55 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by CedrusMacro

That's cool, I think whichever of them that fits your budget you'll be impressed at the images. I'd like to try a Merrill or quattro.

DP0 Quattro or an SD Quattro H is what I'm looking at now. I think the lens-sensor matched super-wide DP0 makes a lot of sense; it's hard to get an optically excellent super-wide lens for DSLR flange distances. And, given that subjects will be mostly landscapes, losing the OVF isn't that big of a deal.

CedrusMacro · 06-21-2021, 02:06 PM - **1 Like**

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

DP0 Quattro or an SD Quattro H is what I'm looking at now. I think the lens-sensor matched super-wide DP0 makes a lot of sense; it's hard to get an optically excellent super-wide lens for DSLR flange distances. And, given that subjects will be mostly landscapes, losing the OVF isn't that big of a deal.

Colour me a shade of green! I'd love to try the DP0, if you do, please post some images.

In the mean time, just to persuade you here's some recent DP1 shots

These awesome sensors need their images to be seen.

**jeffshaddix** · 06-24-2021, 08:14 PM

Originally posted by CedrusMacro

Colour me a shade of green! I'd love to try the DP0, if you do, please post some images.

In the mean time, just to persuade you here's some recent DP1 shots

These awesome sensors need their images to be seen.

Gorgeous colors! Love the second car shot.

I sure hope Sigma keeps up the foveon line. The APS-H sensor was the right direction, I'm surprised it was discontinued.

CedrusMacro · 06-25-2021, 12:48 AM

Originally posted by jeffshaddix

Gorgeous colors! Love the second car shot.

I sure hope Sigma keeps up the foveon line. The APS-H sensor was the right direction, I'm surprised it was discontinued.

Thanks, that car shot has fast become my favorite shot I've taken since getting into photography

.

Same, I can't imagine they will abandon the tech just yet considering they invested so heavily into it, if they could just solve the data writing speeds the vast majority of negative views would fall away (that and making sure items like screens are up to date).

A modern take akin to the Ricoh GRiii would probably sell if it was priced about the same using a foveon sensor.

CedrusMacro · 07-19-2021, 01:14 PM - **2 Likes**

Time to keep this thread alive! Sigma DP1.

06-16-2020, 12:38 AM - 1 Like	#887
hjoseph7 Site Supporter Join Date: May 2014 Location: Minnesota Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 2,046	Originally posted by scratchpaddy Sigma's been making (small) waves with their introduction of a line of compacts and DSLRs with the unique Foveon sensor, which lack both the ubiquitous Bayer filter and any sort of antialiasing filter. The 46MP figure Sigma touts on the latest sensors is a little misleading; the pictures it produces are 16MP, but each pixel in the picture has it's own red, green, and blue pixel on the sensor. This is what makes the Foveon different. The list includes: DP1: 18mm fixed-lens compact with 14MP sensor DP2: 30mm fixed-lens compact with 14MP sensor DP1 Merrill: 18mm fixed-lens compact with 46MP sensor DP2 Merrill: 30mm fixed-lens compact with 46MP sensor DP3 Merrill: 50mm macro fixed-lens compact with 46MP sensor edit: Sigma's entire line of DSLRs, which began in 2002, feature Foveon sensors. The most recent ones are: SD14: DSLR with 1st-gen 14MP sensor, using Sigma's own SA lens mount. SD15: Same as SD14, but with updated image processing engine SD1: DSLR with 46MP sensor, using Sigma's own SA lens mount. SD1 Merrill: Re-launch of SD1 with reduced price. Identical to SD1. Along with the filters, Sigma has also left out decent batteries, HD video, low-light capabilities, stabilization of any kind, decent JPEGS, and RAW files which can be processed by something besides Sigma's PITA software, but all we care about is the pictures, right? Right! So let's post them! Mine is a DP2 Merrill, with the 30mm lens and the second-generation Foveon sensor. Because it's an APS-C sensor, shallow DOF is no problem: Careful, it's kinda sharp! The 30mm lens doesn't distort the picture; that fence post on the left really is bent. To really show you what this sensor can do, here's a 100% crop of that last picture, which was already somewhat cropped. No, I did not sharpen it. So, I'm hoping a few others have bought one of these awesome cameras, and have a few pictures to share. Anyone? I'm not sure if it's my monitor, but a lot of the pictures taken with this camera look grainy, almost film like.

06-17-2020, 03:20 AM - 4 Likes	#888
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	That is what Foveon does. Based on my (short) experience with Sigma Quattro SD. Images have super high acutance and very slight luminance noise is present at base ISO100. But...the usability of the Quattro SD is a total wreck. Also, I have not found out how to disable long exposure noise reduction which kicks in at one second or so. Very annoying. Last edited by MJKoski; 06-17-2020 at 03:26 AM.

09-10-2020, 07:53 PM - 4 Likes	#890
fiveseven Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NV/CA Posts: 370	Updated Sigma club (nearly half of my camera's collection). SD Q SD15 DP3M Last edited by fiveseven; 10-14-2020 at 05:50 PM.

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06-09-2020, 05:21 AM - 1 Like	#886
fiveseven Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NV/CA Posts: 370	My redone Sigma group SD15, SD Q, SD-3M and SD1M. Just a quick test with the latest addition (18-35mm 1.8 A) Last edited by fiveseven; 06-09-2020 at 07:31 PM.

06-17-2020, 02:21 PM - 3 Likes	#889
fiveseven Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: NV/CA Posts: 370	Any criticizing feedback or comments are more then welcomed or even preferred (that is how we get better). Last edited by fiveseven; 06-17-2020 at 07:34 PM.

10-18-2020, 07:24 PM - 3 Likes	#891
Clarkey Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Brampton, ON, Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 2,456	I'm now a member of this ridiculousness - a DP2 Quattro came by at a price I could not resist. Great shooting camera, very much like a medium format camera experience of old. Saturated by Aaron, on Flickr Looking over the river by Aaron, on Flickr

10-19-2020, 02:21 AM - 1 Like	#892
MJKoski Veteran Member Join Date: Aug 2016 Posts: 1,784	That forest stream would pop nicely with a polarizer filter.

06-16-2021, 05:56 PM - 1 Like	#894
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by CedrusMacro I've finally got my own DP1 after jealously looking in awe at the images my partners DP1s took. I truly find the images this sensor makes fascinating! Not the most exciting images, but still pop like nothing else and simple to edit. Congrats, I may be getting a foveon soon as well. Glad you're liking it.

06-17-2021, 03:10 PM	#895
CedrusMacro Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 513	Originally posted by jeffshaddix Congrats, I may be getting a foveon soon as well. Glad you're liking it. That's cool, I think whichever of them that fits your budget you'll be impressed at the images. I'd like to try a Merrill or quattro.

06-18-2021, 05:55 PM - 1 Like	#896
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by CedrusMacro That's cool, I think whichever of them that fits your budget you'll be impressed at the images. I'd like to try a Merrill or quattro. DP0 Quattro or an SD Quattro H is what I'm looking at now. I think the lens-sensor matched super-wide DP0 makes a lot of sense; it's hard to get an optically excellent super-wide lens for DSLR flange distances. And, given that subjects will be mostly landscapes, losing the OVF isn't that big of a deal.

06-24-2021, 08:14 PM	#898
jeffshaddix Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Colorado Posts: 1,473	Originally posted by CedrusMacro Colour me a shade of green! I'd love to try the DP0, if you do, please post some images. In the mean time, just to persuade you here's some recent DP1 shots These awesome sensors need their images to be seen. Gorgeous colors! Love the second car shot. I sure hope Sigma keeps up the foveon line. The APS-H sensor was the right direction, I'm surprised it was discontinued.

06-25-2021, 12:48 AM	#899
CedrusMacro Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 513	Originally posted by jeffshaddix Gorgeous colors! Love the second car shot. I sure hope Sigma keeps up the foveon line. The APS-H sensor was the right direction, I'm surprised it was discontinued. Thanks, that car shot has fast become my favorite shot I've taken since getting into photography . Same, I can't imagine they will abandon the tech just yet considering they invested so heavily into it, if they could just solve the data writing speeds the vast majority of negative views would fall away (that and making sure items like screens are up to date). A modern take akin to the Ricoh GRiii would probably sell if it was priced about the same using a foveon sensor.

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