anyone using Sigma DP Merrill?

S

Steve Boykin

Well-Known Member
I just picked up the 28mm on a very good deal from Craig's List in Austin. I think the previous owner found it a tad frustrating.

If anyone is using one, do you use Sigma Photo Pro. The only manual I found online for it was several versions old. It doesn't even look the same.

I would appreciate any advice any one might have on the camera/processing.

Thanks!!

Steve Boykin
 
A few of us here have at least one Merrill, Steve. Yes, I use SPP. It gets bad reviews for being quirky, but I say stick with it, as it has surprising subtle depths, and rewards attempted to get to know it better. I've grown to really like it.

Which version do you have?
 
Rob MacKillop said:
A few of us here have at least one Merrill, Steve. Yes, I use SPP. It gets bad reviews for being quirky, but I say stiIck with it, as it has surprising subtle depths, and rewards attempted to get to know it better. I've grown to really like it.

Which version do you have?
Click to expand...

6.0.5. I downloaded it from their site since the camera didn't come with a disk. I don't find it as slow as I was led to believe on the internet. I'm just not sure what all the controls are. The consensus seems to be to export the files as a 16 bit TIFF file to Lightroom. I have only had the camera for a couple of days. It's quirky but I like it. I'm actually considering getting the DP2 or 3 also.

Any suggestions you have would be GREATLY appreciated!!!!
 
Well, if you like the DP1M, you're in for a treat with the 2 and 3, both of which have a better lens. I'd love to see your dogs through these lenses!
I export the 16 -bit TIFF files to Elements. I usually use the sliders in SPP to adjust the light, usually towards the dark side, which I like. But each image is different, so I don't have a set plan. I usually shoot b&w, so haven't looked at the colour editing for a while. @Julian de'Courcy is your man for that.
 
I have a DP2 and a DP3 but do not use them as much as Rob and Julian (or even Pat) and they have much more experience with them. However, in the right conditions and the right subject they produce magical results and for much of what you do they will be perfect I would think. As you prefer wider lenses, I would think the DP2 would be a good addition to give you something more 'normal' for your building shots (and the dogs). I use SPP to convert to 16 bit TIFFs and then us LR. I have a copy of Iridient too but have yet to use it!
 
Rob MacKillop said:
Well, if you like the DP1M, you're in for a treat with the 2 and 3, both of which have a better lens. I'd love to see your dogs through these lenses!
I export the 16 -bit TIFF files to Elements. I usually use the sliders in SPP to adjust the light, usually towards the dark side, which I like. But each image is different, so I don't have a set plan. I usually shoot b&w, so haven't looked at the colour editing for a while. @Julian de'Courcy is your man for that.
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Are you doing the B/W conversion in SPP or Elements? Sorry to be a pest.
 
Pete Askew said:
I have a DP2 and a DP3 but do not use them as much as Rob and Julian (or even Pat) and they have much more experience with them. However, in the right conditions and the right subject they produce magical results and for much of what you do they will be perfect I would think. As you prefer wider lenses, I would think the DP2 would be a good addition to give you something more 'normal' for your building shots (and the dogs). I use SPP to convert to 16 bit TIFFs and then us LR. I have a copy of Iridient too but have yet to use it!
Click to expand...


I wish it was 24... I'm going to Austin today to do my parents grocery shopping and see 8 1/2. They have a theater downtown that occasionally gets good films. I hope they have a good print of the film. Then I am going to try it out downtown which is actually quite dull because it's all new skyscrapers.

You should really go see that Nick Cave film 20,00o Days on Earth. It's fantastic. I think it goes into wide release sometime later this year. The cinematography is quite stunning and the concept is brilliant. Here is the trailer:

http://www.20000daysonearth.com

Sorry for the tangent... I think you might be right on the 2. I am watching one on Ebay. Does anyone use those little viewfinders they sell for $149? That seems a bit steep doesn't it.
 
Pete Askew said:
As you prefer wider lenses, I would think the DP2 would be a good addition to give you something more 'normal' for your building shots (and the dogs).
Click to expand...

They dogs are in trouble because they got sprayed by a skunk yesterday. I'm mean REALLY sprayed. I had to bathe them three times. :eek:
 
Steve, I set the camera to record black and white, as I like to "think" black and white when I'm setting up shots. Of course, as it's a raw file, the colour coding is all there, should I want to resort to it later in SPP, but I never do. I'm not great with colour. My Merrills are permanently stuck on b&w now...
 
It does that? I didn't get a manual with it because the guy lost it. I have just been looking at one online and looking stuff up as I go along. Is it a RAW file in B/W? Sorry I guess I could look that up.... o_O

Do you have those little viewfinders? I'm tempted but they are really expensive so I would have to sell something. I have some money budgeted for a DP2 or 3 if the right price on Ebay comes up.
 
Pete Askew said:
I have one from a Ricoh with the same field go view as the DP-2. Tried it but didn't it added much even though I prefer a VF.

Thanks for the link to the film - on the list!
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Thats what I was afraid of. I guess you could sort of figure it out, but I suppose if you are shooting below F8 or so you would really be guessing to some degree. That film is very nice. 10 minutes in D76 stock at 68 degrees. Very contrasty. I rarely need to touch the magenta. Apparently you can rate it at 25 but I haven't tried that. I wish I had a scanner. The vet bills killed that one. If I don't get this DP2 I may look at them again.
 
Pete Askew said:
I have one from a Ricoh with the same field go view as the DP-2. Tried it but didn't it added much even though I prefer a VF.

Thanks for the link to the film - on the list!
Click to expand...


Here are a couple of test shots from last night. I asked about the viewfinder because I'm still having some issues framing with the rear screen.

I found this weird little cemetery surrounded by farms. It very forlorn. There are some really old tombstones then it appears no one used it for about 50 or so years. I totally missed the shot on those flowers. I also missed the focus on the statue. I need to focus on the part of it's head instead of the edge of the wing.
 

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Sorry, Steve, I asked where are they because there were no images in your post. But now I can see them. Give me a second or two, and I'll have a look at them.
 
Yes, really impressive shots there, Steve. The first has a bit of a 3D quality to it. The cemetery one is amazing.

And to answer an earlier question, yes you can shoot raw - the Sigma propriety version - in b&w, but the colour info is still there.
 
Rob MacKillop said:
Yes, really impressive shots there, Steve. The first has a bit of a 3D quality to it. The cemetery one is amazing.

And to answer an earlier question, yes you can shoot raw - the Sigma propriety version - in b&w, but the colour info is still there.
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Rockin!!!! I'm about to dive into the manual then head to Austin. Hopefully I will have something to post when I get back. I do really like this little camera. It's kind of frustrating but I'm getting better at it. I have to admit it has something very special about the way the photos look. I don't take a lot of pictures anyway so it doesn't really slow me down. On the SPP, it's not that slow. I sometimes wonder about why everyone is in such a hurry. That's really true here where I live. Everyone in Texas is always in a hurry. Not sure why, there isn't anywhere to go. :)

Thanks so much for the info on the camera!!! I will have more questions later so I hope you don't mind.
 
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