Greetings Earthlings,
The Foveon is a technology that I was always interested in although I made a late entry into to the system. Not only that, it was implemented to the body of a camera that brings that feeling of using a film camera, with a classic design yet holding a techonology that may bring on a revolution in digital photography (in fact, it has brought its beginning, since there are indications that major manufacturers are looking at ways of implementing the same sensor design onto their own).
For more information on the Foveon sensor, click here .
Nevertheless, it is a new technology and it does have its shortcomings. It is a known fact that it is not the most indicated camera for the low light photographer but also, photography is a field where some in it are very vocal and have an almost religious brand loyalty and many times the Foveon has fallen fowl of such types and exageration/extrapolation of its shortcomings ensues...beggining with its noise characteristics.
Now, I have been only familiar with the work of others using this camera and indeed I have seen some images taken at high ISO (high sensitivity) which exhibited unnacceptable amounts of noise in both low and good light. This was not attenuated, partly for the fact that not a lot of reviewers made good use of the dedicated SPP (Sigma Photo Pro), therefore forgetting that this camera is part of a two stage production process and that good control and understanding of it is crucial and will affect how noise exhibits in images.
So in the hands of a new entrant to the technology, how would it perform?I took a few test shots, nothing too arty or fancy, but they do show how good control of SPP is crucial. The shots below were taken at ISO 100, 200 and 800 ( I kinda skipped ISO 400). The shot at ISO 800 was a particular surprise and we will see why. Click on the images :
The Foveon is a technology that I was always interested in although I made a late entry into to the system. Not only that, it was implemented to the body of a camera that brings that feeling of using a film camera, with a classic design yet holding a techonology that may bring on a revolution in digital photography (in fact, it has brought its beginning, since there are indications that major manufacturers are looking at ways of implementing the same sensor design onto their own).
For more information on the Foveon sensor, click here .
Nevertheless, it is a new technology and it does have its shortcomings. It is a known fact that it is not the most indicated camera for the low light photographer but also, photography is a field where some in it are very vocal and have an almost religious brand loyalty and many times the Foveon has fallen fowl of such types and exageration/extrapolation of its shortcomings ensues...beggining with its noise characteristics.
Now, I have been only familiar with the work of others using this camera and indeed I have seen some images taken at high ISO (high sensitivity) which exhibited unnacceptable amounts of noise in both low and good light. This was not attenuated, partly for the fact that not a lot of reviewers made good use of the dedicated SPP (Sigma Photo Pro), therefore forgetting that this camera is part of a two stage production process and that good control and understanding of it is crucial and will affect how noise exhibits in images.
So in the hands of a new entrant to the technology, how would it perform?I took a few test shots, nothing too arty or fancy, but they do show how good control of SPP is crucial. The shots below were taken at ISO 100, 200 and 800 ( I kinda skipped ISO 400). The shot at ISO 800 was a particular surprise and we will see why. Click on the images :
ISO 100
ISO200
ISO800
As we can see above on the ISO 800 shot, the noise levels for the sensitivity are very acceptable and the grain looks tight and akin to an ISO 800 film, one can see that particularly in the darker areas of the image. I believe that many are heavy handed with the "X3 fill light" and "Sharpness" features on SPP (the "X3 fill light" is unique to the Sigma SD-xx cameras, it simulates fill flash without you having ever used one very effectively!), hence a lot of images coming out very grainy . Of also paramount importance is the selection of correct white balance from the moment you produce an image from the camera.
Point given, the image was at sunset, but the levels were enough to be a challenge to handhold the camera but certainly dispells a little chunk of the Foveon noise "myth" ( in the sense that it is so bad it is unusable as many say) .
I still need to put the camera more through its paces, but as a first shooting experience for a user with a film background it was a very good one. Mirror slap is enourmous, but so is the one from my Fujica ST605 and my Dynax 5L also makes quite a racket, but it is reassuring, you know you captured your shot for sure! I did not find a problem with shutter lag either and I took to the sports finder on it like a fish to water ( but that from previous experiences with borrowed Sigmas).
Anyway, this was today's material. Make sure you also visit The Viewfinder's main page and leave your comments.
Until next time,
Luis
ISO800
As we can see above on the ISO 800 shot, the noise levels for the sensitivity are very acceptable and the grain looks tight and akin to an ISO 800 film, one can see that particularly in the darker areas of the image. I believe that many are heavy handed with the "X3 fill light" and "Sharpness" features on SPP (the "X3 fill light" is unique to the Sigma SD-xx cameras, it simulates fill flash without you having ever used one very effectively!), hence a lot of images coming out very grainy . Of also paramount importance is the selection of correct white balance from the moment you produce an image from the camera.Point given, the image was at sunset, but the levels were enough to be a challenge to handhold the camera but certainly dispells a little chunk of the Foveon noise "myth" ( in the sense that it is so bad it is unusable as many say) .
I still need to put the camera more through its paces, but as a first shooting experience for a user with a film background it was a very good one. Mirror slap is enourmous, but so is the one from my Fujica ST605 and my Dynax 5L also makes quite a racket, but it is reassuring, you know you captured your shot for sure! I did not find a problem with shutter lag either and I took to the sports finder on it like a fish to water ( but that from previous experiences with borrowed Sigmas).
Anyway, this was today's material. Make sure you also visit The Viewfinder's main page and leave your comments.
Until next time,
Luis
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