Specification
Product Details
- Amazon Sales Rank: #10223 in Camera & Photo
- Color: Black
- Brand: Sigma
- Model: C26900
- Dimensions: 80.00″ h x
113.50″ w x
145.50″ l,
2.00 pounds - Display size: 3
Features
- 46 Megapixel
- True II image processing engine
- 3.0 inch TFT Color Monitor
Product Description
SD1 Merrill Digital Camera
Customer Reviews
Most helpful customer reviews
39 of 39 people found the following review helpful.
By Mmoss
Most people are not aware that when they buy a conventional (e.g. Canon or Nikon) digital camera, the sensor is what is called a ‘Bayer array’ and has a fundamental shortcoming: each sensor only recognizes one of the three primary colors (red, green, or blue). For example, in a 20 megapixel Bayer array, there are typically 10 million green sensors, 5 million red, and 5 million blue. Using a built in processor, each sensor element reports values for all three colors, by polling its neighbors and interpolating.The Sigma Foveon cameras are all based on the idea that the above is fundamentally fudging the result, and a truly accurate digital camera ought to be measuring all three primary colors at each sensor location. They use Foveon sensors, with three overlapping arrays, one for each primary color. This closely mimics the way color negative film was designed.My experience, having owned the Sigma SD9, SD14, and SD1, as well as each of the top line Canon DSLRs (including a 5D Mark II which I now use interchangeably with the SD1), and multiple large and medium format cameras over decades, is as follows:Pros: There is an almost ineffable ‘you are there’ quality to SD1 images, more obvious to some than others. Much more tonal subtlety and detail because of the accuracy of the values at each sensor location. Much less need for sharpening, because of both the multiple sensor arrays, and the lack of need for an AA (“antialising” or “blurring”) filter, which is required for Bayer array cameras. In resolution tests, the SD1 meets or even exceeds Nyquist theoretical resolution limits, not surprising. At its best this yields results that many of us find truly exciting. It requires the use of Sigma lenses, the best of which are extremely good and fully competitive with Canikon lenses, though perhaps not as rugged. This IS when used properly a ‘poor man’s medium format DSLR’ and even an excellent substitute for the very cumbersome use of large format for landscape.Cons: Like previous Sigma DSLRs, extraordinarily slow. Suitable only for RAW capture, and not supported yet by Adobe Camera Raw so you must use Sigma’s improved but still very slow Sigma Photo Pro software. Lacking in dynamic range. Very noisy at higher ISO (perhaps 800 and above). Absolutely not suited to be your only all-purpose DSLR unless you work slowly and do exclusively landscape or still life. A very eccentric camera that requires a lot of patience and technical expertise.
5 of 6 people found the following review helpful.
By Phbug
The ultimate Foveon-based digital SLR, loaded with features and of an excellent build quality. I gave it only 4 stars as it doesn’t have “live view” of the image you plan to capture using its LCD screen, only the viewfinder. Its an unexpected omission and one I hope they correct in any future model.
3 of 4 people found the following review helpful.
By Brian
If you are willing to put up with converting raw files in the supplied software, then you will get incredible resolution as long as you don’t go past ISO 200. So shooting hand held is really only possible in very good light. You can get a lot of punch out of the color too, but only if you use the mind-numbing Sigma Photo Pro 5 software. Jpg’s have a strange color matrix applied to them. Not standard at all….they do not look real. Sigma Photo Pro 5 is so slow you’ll only want to correct a couple of things (e.g. white balance) and then export as .tiff and use Lightroom or some other mainstream post processing product.For what you pay, and the inability to use mainstream software, the the requirement to use Sigma lenses, I am not sure I would recommend this camera, even given its current price point. For about the same money you can get a Nikon D600 (which I also have…and much prefer).
See all 5 customer reviews…
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