New Release, Sigma SD1, 46mp, DSLR, June 2011.

[PJAD]

Hi Col,
Currently my base is Nikon, since I do a lot of macro the Nikon gear suits me just fine. I have had an interest in Sigma for a while, since it is a different sensor design having no AA filter and no interpolation like the Bayer CFA style. I am considering getting a Sigma sometime and may just do that when the SD1 comes out. I like the idea of the removable hot mirror for infrared shots, and this is another one of the keys points why I am interested in the Sigma. I think they do pretty good gear despite the ramblings of majority that use CFA sensors. I'm half tempted to get a DP2 anyway, just as a nice compact light unit.

Peter

[colinbm]

Hi Peter
There is an adapter for Nikon mount, but no electical contact, so will be manual control.
http://www.jtat.com/sd/sd_main/SD_Nikon.html
I have a DP2 that i am looking at converting to IR, not too difficult.
Cheers
Col

[PJAD]

Hi Col,
What's involved in the DP2 IR conversion? It's generally not difficult with most cameras, but some can be fiddly.
Regards
Peter

[colinbm]

Hi Peter
The hot mirror is between the sensor & lens unit. It is on its own metal mount. Most remove the hot mirror from the mount, which breaks the glass. I am hoping that the glass can be removed by solvents or heat ?? Firstly I will see what it will takes to make a replacement mount. I am told that they don't use a clear glass in place of the hot mirror.
I have also just found out that the sensor has another weaker hot mirror bonded to its surface, which is not removable. This is the case with the DP & SD cameras, they all have the same sensor.
Cheers
Col

[PJAD]

Hi Col,
Would be nice if manufacturers of small cameras (i.e. < medium format) had a hot mirror option, I would certainly buy one without. I think one of the older Fuji models, maybe the S5, has the hot mirror bonded to the metal mount and sensor. A few years ago I almost had a Fuji IS-Pro, the factory IR version of the S5.
Also, a lot of manufacturers place a hot mirror over the AF sensor as well which further complicates things and leads to back/front focus in IR AF. Nothing is simple, is it. It's nice that companies like Phase One will manufacture a special run of cameras given enough demand. I think recently (like last year) they did a monochrome sensor run.
Regards,
Peter

[colinbm]

Yes Peter, I have heard of these cameras.
While looking at the options for a IR capable camera with high IQ, I was at a toss-up with MaxMax & Sigma.
Sigma won, but I am yet to get the IR shots I want But I do have a very nice camera just the same.
I am struggling with the settings of DSLR manual control
I had Canons S2 & S5 IS converted cams before & got good results in Auto & Jpeg.
Sigma & DSLR has been a vertical learning curve for me

About the MaxMax cameras
XNiteCanon500D-NCG: Canon 500D 15.1 Megapixel Color UV-VIS-IR No Cover Glass $1,800.00
http://www.maxmax.com/canon_500d_(t1i).htm

Cheers
Col

[PJAD]

Hi Col,
I think MaxMax does a lot of neat stuff, compared to say LifePixel whose site seems to be slow to update. I had in mind to send my Nikon D700 to MaxMax for a UV-VIS-IR conversion but just cannot bring myself to do it yet. I looked at both those sites a few years ago and wondered why there is not a local business doing that kind of stuff here. I know Khromagery, in Vic I think, were doing conversions but they have ceased. So, I'm hanging out to see how the Sigma goes. If it proves itself in IR then I'll stick with that.
Do you find you have to do a lot of post processing with the Sigma IR images?
Regards,
Peter

[colinbm]

Hi Peter
MaxMax do the UV-VIS-IR conversion by removing the hot mirror & Bayer array micro-lenses, green, red, blue.
I don't know why they can't buy 'naked sensors' ?

This lady has used the Sigma SD & DP cameras to do these wonderful shots, full colour & IR. Beware there are 39 pages of thumbnails
http://flickrhivemind.net/User/Seng%...ll/Interesting
Cheers
Col

[ameerat42]

Col, Peter.
Re IR, take up his offer.
Am.

[colinbm]

Been there, done that
Col

[ameerat42]

Not that I mind, but this thread is becoming the default Sigma forum on AP

[PJAD]

Hi Am, Col,
Thanks for the links, good photos, eh. I used to do a lot of electronics and hardware hacking, so taking a camera apart is no big deal and I might just do that with an SD2 if/when I get one. I'm doing a part time uni course at the moment and this semester finishes end of May, after that I'll spend more time on investigating this.
Col, yeah, would be nice if MaxMax were able to get raw sensors. Actually would be nice if the sensor was on its own board that could be swapped in/out just like a CF card. Maybe one day.
Regards,
Peter

[colinbm]

Yes Am it has grown a bit, glad we have Peter's interest too :-)

Yes Peter, Seng is a terrific photographer & gets nice IR results.

This is what I am aiming for
Practice, practice...............
Col

[PJAD]

Hi Col,
He certainly does nice pics. Just need the right amount of light, good filters, and good scenery. One thing I'd like to do is portraits in IR. I did a couple once of a friend just to try out and see what results I get, skin tones come out like porcelain, really smooth. Wedding photos in IR look real cool too. What I found generally is IR makes colour boring, unless it's a mixture. I think Am made a good point before, we should have a Sigma IR column.
Peter

[colinbm]

Hi Col,
He certainly does nice pics. Just need the right amount of light, good filters, and good scenery. One thing I'd like to do is portraits in IR. I did a couple once of a friend just to try out and see what results I get, skin tones come out like porcelain, really smooth. Wedding photos in IR look real cool too. What I found generally is IR makes colour boring, unless it's a mixture. I think Am made a good point before, we should have a Sigma IR column.
Peter

Seng, is a lady
Yes skin is interesting, Asiatics skin comes out very nice, pinkies like me are very ghostly
The IR reflects from just below the surface of the skin, therefore the imperfections on the surface like wrinkles, pimples, freckles etc are not there.

Ok, when we have something to start a new thread on regarding Sigma & / or InfraRed, feel free to do that.

Cheers
Col

[PJAD]

Am, Col
In a nutshell, would you know the diff between the DP2, DP2s, and DP2x? I could spend time looking it up, but your words would be quicker.

Peter

[colinbm]

Basically just updates to the program, hardware is nearly the same.
The DP1's are wide at 16mm or 28mm equivalent.
The DP2's are normal at 28mm or 41mm equivalent.
They all have the same sensor & processor as the SD15 DSLR.

I just put this together yesterday.
http://www.dpreview.com/products/com...tDir=ascending

Cheers
Col

[colinbm]

It has been announced, by DP Review.
Sigma announces SD1 pricing and availability

Cameras will be available from the end of June at a price of $US9,700 and £6,199.99 (inc VAT) in the UK.
This must be one very good camera !
http://www.dpreview.com/news/1105/11052010sigmasd1.asp

I can see a lot of long faces in Sigma Fan Land tonight
It must be good, too good for us lot !
We can now dream of a DP EVIL
Col

[I @ M]

They must have misprinted that surely!!!!!

Considering that you can buy a tried and proven Nikon D3x for less at Australian retail levels or the slightly inferior Pentax 645D for a little bit more they surely don't anticipate selling many do they?

Forget that, give em 6 months and they will be selling em on ebay for $3,000.00 drive away, no more to pay.

[Tommo1965]

46 megapixels!! I was amazed to read it was a crop sensor..thats certainly a lot of pixel density ....I thought noise became more of a issue the tighter the pixels are packed in?