A SIGMA sd Quattro, 30mm f/1.4 Art, and 21:9 Monochrome DNGs.

As mentioned in earlier posts (here and here) one of the things I really like about Quattro Foveon sensor cameras…

…is that they force you to commit to the chosen crop and color theme.

Crop

When you choose a crop mode on most other cameras I have used it impacts the JPEG but the RAW file retains the sensor’s aspect ratio. This can be seen as a plus as it allows one to crop the photo as they wish later, but I do not. When I know I can edit the RAW file later as I wish I am not as motivated to make sure I get the framing right. But here I need to make sure I get it right which, for me, improves the shooting experience and nets better image results.

Monochrome (Similar to the item above.)

When you choose Monochrome or any other image profile on most other cameras I have used it impacts the JPEG but the RAW file is not impacted. This can be seen as a plus as it allows one to adjust the color as they wish later, but I do not. When I know I can edit the RAW file later as I wish I am not as motivated to make sure I previsualize the image. But with the dp2 I need to make sure I get it right which, for me, improves the shooting experience and nets better image results. Was recently pointed to the Profile pull down in Lightroom that lets you revert to color. Had never noticed it before honestly. But after having given it a spin I will just go ahead and keep using the Default DNG profile as I find that I prefer the cameras take on color and monochrome over the Lightroom profiles. I fully admit that this may have to do more with my obsession with Foveon than any real difference, but I am ok with that.

Both of these traits are very welcome to a friend of film, like myself, where the film emulsion, film format, and camera aspect ratio (X-Pan in 35mm and 6×6, 6×7, 645, and 6×9 with medium format for example) require that you commit to the color profile (film type) and aspect ratio in advance.

On top of that, I really like the Monochrome images that these Foveon sensors…

…can produce.

One of my favorite things to do is combine Monochrome with a 21:9 crop for a bootleg XPan DNG experience.

Welp. Enough of that. Here are a few quick snaps taken while running errands recently. Great fun. Started off at SE Camera.

Then out and about.

Mind you these were not aspirational shots. Just some quick snaps while out and about. I definitely need to slow down and practice my framing in order to make the best use of this set up. But even as is I am very pleased with the detail and subtle tones of these images.

Wrap up.

A sensible choice? Still no. As I always say there are many more practical options on the market. But I will continue hanging out with this oddball just the same.