Sigma DSLR

[chairmnofthboard]

Not sure if this is the right forum, but I'll ask anyways.

What's up with the Sigma DSLR, I never heard of anyone with them. Are they any good? How do they compare to Canon?

Just curious.

Thanks

[Karl Johnston]

http://www.sigma-sd14.com/

that one snuck up on me...

[Tony-S]

They use Foveon (now owned by Sigma) sensors. Unlike other sensors (which have R, B, 2G adjacent and in the same plane), these are three layers - blue on top, green in the middle and red on the bottom and provide a more film-like image captures. They seem to have issues with noise at higher ISO, the cameras are very heavy, and the processor is a bit limited. These should all improve with the next iteration, the SD-15, which should be available in Q109.

[elitejp]

the foveon sensor really seems interesting. But what I would think to be more interesting is Sigma making there cameras for canon and nikon users. In other words if your already a canon user you have glass that will fit the canon body now. Sigma could make the body to accept canon glass! Now that would be interesting and would make sigma a viable second body option. bw!

[cryforashadow]

There are sigma dslrs? *shocked*

[manipula]

The last place I worked at had several SD14's through. Technologically very clever and very intriguing. In practice, a very poor interface, a diabolical screen, and in all but perfect situations (when little could touch it) basically just a fairly average photo. Much like their compacts actually, in some senses, absolutely awesome, in most senses, avoid like the plague.

[Tony-S]

I'm really thinking about picking up the SD-15 and either the 30mm or 18-50 f/2.8 just to give it a try. I'll wait for a few reviews, but I'm tempted by the three-layer approach. Some of the images I've seen from the SD-14 rival the 5D mk1, but it's disappointing that the SD-15 will (apparently) use the same sensor as the SD-14.

[manipula]

Some of the images I've seen from the SD-14 rival the 5D mk1

In my experience, what you just said there is the key point. At times it's sublime. At others it's pretty poor.

[clipper_from_oz]

the foveon sensor really seems interesting. But what I would think to be more interesting is Sigma making there cameras for canon and nikon users. In other words if your already a canon user you have glass that will fit the canon body now. Sigma could make the body to accept canon glass! Now that would be interesting and would make sigma a viable second body option. bw!


Exactly what Im waiting for...the Foveon sensor is the closest to film of any of the commercial sensors out there due to the unique technology behind it ( Digital sensor technology that captures RGB light like the old analogue way of film capturing light).

Im stuck too because of all the canon lens's . The moment Sigma make one with a canon thread Im there. Would make a great second body

[blary54]

I agree sigma should start making their DSLRs with a canon and nikon mount. I dont know why they dont....They would sell alot more cameras.

[Tony-S]

I'm sure there are proprietary issues involved. Otherwise it would have been done by now, I should think. It's kind of weird that you can make a Canon mount lens, but not a Canon mount body? Something must be stopping them.

[FOX2PRO]

Canon probably doesnt think Sigma lenses can compete with the L's. Personally, I feel people would skimp on body features so they could spend more on glass.

[Toeslider]

For the record, Sigma did once make bodies that accepted Canon and Nikon glass. I owned one. They were the Pro SLRC and Pro SLRN, but they were branded and sold under the Kodak name:

http://reviews.cnet.com/digital-cameras/kodak-dcs-pro-slr/4505-6501_7-30836064.html

At the time they had just about the most megapixels available without spending a fortune, but they had high-ISO noise problems. I wasn't impressed enough with the one I had to warrant keeping it, given what it cost.

[Toeslider]

http://www.dpreview.com/reviews/kodakslrc/

[Jpiano]

wow sigma bodies?! I have to check it out!

[Toeslider]

You can probably score one on ebay for around $500 or so.

[20DNewbie]

Check out this thread (http://www.fredmiranda.com/forum/topic/675852).

He used to convert the SD14 to an EOS mount. It's a shame he stopped, I'd have liked to give it a go.

[Tony-S]

Holy crap, Batman! That's freakin' amazing. I'm stunned that Sigma uses the exact same communication protocol between camera and lens. Too cool.

[adam8080]

I wonder what all is involved in doing that.

[20DNewbie]

I wonder what all is involved in doing that.

He gives a conversion tutorial on his pbase page (http://www.pbase.com/bigflat/conversion_tutorial) in case anyone here is feeling a bit adventurous.

[Toeslider]

I ordered one the other day, but I'm going to try it with Sigma glass first before I get into all that. It's a lot of microscopic work that is not easily reversable.

I'd be more inclined to try putting a Sigma mount on a Canon lens first. Maybe try that on a nifty fifty and see where it gets me, although the way the price is dropping the nifty fifty may cost more than the SD-14 soon...