Vintage Digital/Foveon Therapy: SIGMA dp2 Quattro, 21:9 Crop Bootleg XPan.

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The blog post title sums it up. Ok, a little more.

Have mentioned this before but one of the things I really like about the SIGMA dp2 Quattro

Sigma dp2 Quattro

…is that it inclines you to commit.

21:9 Crop (Bootleg XPan)

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 with the dp2 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.)

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. 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.

Both of these traits are very welcome to a friend of film, like myself, where the film emulsion, film format, and camera require that you commit to the color profile and aspect ratio in advance.

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

Sigma dp2 Quattro

…can produce.

21:9 in camera crop SIGMA sd Quattro - 30mm f/1.4
Prior Example w/ a SIGMA sd Quattro
21:9 - Monochrome - SIGMA dp2 Quattro
Prior dp2 Quattro Example

So much so that this odd little camera has remained while more typically aspirational cameras have moved on.

Welp. Enough of that. Here are a few quick snaps taken on an evening trip to Wally Mart when I realized I needed to get some canned air when scanning film recently. Cut a quick lap around the store. As always great fun.

SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro
SIGMA dp2 Quattro

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.

-ELW

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