As some of you have noticed, some shots, especially at ISO50 has cut highlights in a ugly way – This currently is a bug in the new SPP 3.3(mac) and SPP 3.5(PC) software (processing bug) and rumors says that they’re working on a fix (Foveon / Sigma). I’d recommend older versions of SPP for processing of SD14 / DP1 files as this bug can be quite nasty for some pictures – DP2 files still need the new SPP. You can have dual version on the same computer. Read the Sigma Dpreview forum for updates.
Monthly Archive for April, 2009
ISO50 – 800. + bonus movie. 99MB – Download now!
No people inside more than inside the movie. Will make another pack with some skin. You’re free to play around with these for noncommercial purposes only. If anything else, please contact me. Also note that these are taken with a pre-production camera but using the “final” firmware.
You also need: Sigma Photo Pro 3.5 (Win) or Sigma Photo Pro 3.3 (Mac)
[Update! Links fixed!]
ISO50 can do wonders! If you can live with a blown sky and concentrate on the subject then ISO50 will make you a very happy shooter. These shots are all done hand held yesterday afternoon using ISO50. (except last one)
I must say it was difficult to find correct WB, I’m not sure I did always – some seams a bit warm etc but well, hope you like them anyways. The original version is like WOOOAAA I’m sooo impressed with the smoothness of ISO50 – it really adds another dimension.
To make sure I got the exposure right (which can be tricky in nature) I took three different exposures for each picture. (Auto bracketing +1). It’s fast and easy to do and gives you the choice of selecting later (I’m NOT making an HDR, that’s very tricky do with hand held shots such as these. I’m simply giving myself more options). Today when memory cards are cheap it’s a good idea to use. Also note that these shots hasn’t been altered in photoshop, some could perhaps use a little bit off added sharpness but I think el naturale is nice too.
Here’s a ISO200 shot too with the often not used mode, Vivid color mode.
[EDIT, auto focus off and LCD with preview on] Result using a Extreme III SDHC 4GB card and hammering the trigger for about a minute aiming at my phones timer and you get the above result. Not sure if this a correct scientific way to approach this but I’m pretty sure you understand how this works.. 23 frames including the one over the edge but that’s fair coz I could feel that I didn’t get them as fast as humanly possible. Or maybe I did.
This is using RAW.
Considering the huge amount of information from three layers with 4.6MP x3, then this is quite impressive! – And this has NOTHING to do with shutter lag. Shutter lag is when you press the trigger to the moment the picture is being taken. And that time using manual focus is more or less instant. Very very short “real” shutter lag. The above info has to do with the SECOND shot taken after the first. So NO shutter lag, but that was true with the DP1 as well.
Also don’t forget you can still take three continues RAW within one second! Very useful!
[EDIT, just to clarify. All images in this post was shot last night some time after sunset. ISO800 or more was a good idea to use, all hand held and often using three continues shots in order to make sure sharpness. Three continues is done in less then one second using RAW]. Lots of emails and questions (here and on other forums) about what the DP2 can do with higher ISO in color. Well, it’s a dual sided coin. On one hand, they look very nice and impressive. Pretty noise free (using color) and much thanks to the great lens it’s perfectly ok to shoot wide open.
The other side of the coin is maybe more a questions about taste. I don’t like colors being smeared and showing up a little beside it’s “real” pixel and that’s what happens sometimes when using too much noise reduction. I can see when opening these files that the embedded shot has less noise reduction applied and therefore looks better. So, I’m hoping Sigma to add some sort of option so that I can get MORE noise of I want. :D
Local store shot without any alterations at ISO800 and F4.
This biker shot has been exposed twice to save the sky a bit (fast and dirty). Also a bit of warmth is added in photoshop. Also all above shots are taken using auto focus, I needed to see if I could trust it, and it seams to work very nice. And I must add that even if I feel that the DP2 is faster than the DP1 – it’s not a huge step forward. I would like it to be much faster still.
Ones more we have double exposed one RAW. Started out with a ISO800 raw that I saved +0.7 and another with -1 (for the sky). So the final image ending up as a ISO1250 shot with a ISO400 sky. :D
I do find banding in darker areas, in some pictures more and some less. I hope this is something that can be fixed in future firm wares or gone with the “real” cameras. Btw, the guy in the above shot is a friend of mine that currently suffers from col, he’s not feeling well tonight.
Ending this serie with a ISO3200 shot tweaked with a strong curve in Photoshop. (i think it’s more ISO4000) :) I’m still a HUGE fan of the monochrome mode! Last note, all above shots has been taken using triple exposures. (in order to be safe about one sharp exposure – too much coffee)
All above shots are availible as full size at this DP2 flickr set.
Picture from a photo session the other day at Schillerska gymnasiet in Gothenburg. The class did some book and wanted a shot for the back or something.
This perticular picture was shot at ISo100 but I underexposed it in order to get some of that outdoor detail (Bright afternoon). No extra light was used inside the room itself. I saved two versions of the same image in color – brought them inside photoshop to marry them. I made the final image black and white using Alien skin exposure.
Another one done with the SD14 at the same day and same class. Used the Cokin ND grad filter used on the 12-24 (with a tint of coffee added in post) – had to use tejp in order to make it fit. hehe. Looked very cool ;) – Oh and some just couldn’t hold it for a 1s exposure! gha!
No full size shot available due to privacy.
This shot was taken in pretty bright sun / daylight – it was slightly underexposed so the “real” ISO would be something like ISO160. No sharpness added and no photoshop (more than text), if you do add some you’ll find it to be woa woa sharp. :)
I’ll be back.
Original. In a apartment, well it’s not called apartment because it has no water nor toilet – lives a friend of mine. She’s called MjaoMjao and I ask if I can take a shot or two of her, she replies that she never look good on photos – but I’m allowed. Manual focus on? Check – carefully moving the thumb wheel as I’ve done thousands of times trying to nail that eyelid of hers. click. It’s so silent. She has no idea that I actually squeezed the trigger. They never do.
Hi all, you probably wondered where I’ve been hiding – some of you know about me moving and trying to build a new home (repairing that is) and it’s taken more energy than I hoped for. Now – one bright light lately have been the Dp2. I will be making this very short and let pictures speak loud – as the camera that I used isn’t the final production unit.
Click on picture for “large” flickr size.
Click “original” for full resolution version.
Original. Not sure how Sigma makes this possible but this insane 24,5mm F2.8 lens wants to be used wide open. And working in monochrome white balance in Sigma Photo pro is just a joy! Look at these tones! (and yes, that’s my grand mother!)
Original. Another shot wide open. Not sure you understand how useful and cool this is. Look at rendition of the fabric and her skin. And how sweet isn’t the bokeh? and and and..
Original. Strong spring sunlight ISO100, wide open. :)
Original. The blue “sky” is water – and this is a good example of the new color modes within the DP2. To get the very best color dynamics Sigma created different color modes that really brings life into every shot. Of course these color modes can be changed later in Sigma Photo Pro if RAW is used. This particular picture is slightly overexposed but I think it managed this bright sunlight well. Oh, and slight hand shake included! :)
Original. Please take a closer look. admit it’s a really insane lens!
Original. 15 second exposure. Trying those color modes. I do have a “real” looking shot with correct white balance and another color mode but I liked the look of this one. It came out way dark and that’s why 100-200 ISO (was shot at ISo50) – Also my only picture with tripod used.
Original. Bokeh / close up test. And this is F5.6 and ISO50 which does burn highlights if not careful. Amazing detail even at lens corners. Here’s a recent post with more DP2 ISO50 shots and comments.
Original. The Dp2 now has a ISO1600 and 3200 mode – which I think should be considered monochrome modes as they don’t really look good in color. But as soon monochrome white balance is selected in Sigma Photo Pro they really come to life!
Original. Just processed. ISO200 and F2.8. And NO, no saturation added, only the magic Landscape mode. ;)
Ok, main pointers.
- Faster operation! Now very useful in studio as shot to shot is much improved! Also for 360 panoramic photography. Wait is now over. :)
- Color Modes! For color maniacs such as myself I really like this. Will get back to this in more detail later.
- Lens. 24,5 (41mm) at F2.8. One word! Wow! There is a slight distortion but none has been taken care off in the above shots – it’s really no issue.Just look at that Bokeh and how well it handles tough light etc. jaij!
- TIME LAPS function! From 30s to 24h (and options in between) – Will make something fun using this. :D
- Sigma Photo Pro 3.3 is now speedier on Mac. :)
- ADDED! ISO1600 and ISO3200! Not perfect for color but very very nice for the unique monochrome setting available in Sigma Photo Pro.
- ISO50 looks fantastic!
And negatives? Well, I’ll get to those later as well. First I need to get my hands on a “real” production unit so I don’t give you rubbish. UPDATE! But a little something is now made with both good and bad. Link to High ISO.
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