Vintage Digital/Foveon Therapy: SIGMA dp2 Quattro and 21:9 Monochrome DNGs.
The blog post title sums it up. Ok, a little more. I recently posted on Instagram after reading an FStoppers article asking, “Will We See a Full Frame Foveon Sensor From Sigma Soon?”.
And to this question, I answer yes, please.
I mention in that post that one additional question I have is will it also have a removable IR cut filter…
…which allows the sd Quattro to be used for Infrared photography without permanent conversions.
I hope that this new (possible) full-frame Foveon sensor retains another Quattro Foveon trait.
It requires that you to commit. For example…
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
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 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…
…can produce.
So much so that this odd little camera has remained while more aspirational cameras have moved on.
Welp. Enough of that. Here are a few dp2 quick snaps including pics at my local camera shop including pictures with others at the wheel (Where I am in the pic.). The Foveon twins usually net a scratch of the head and test pics. Nothing Earth-shattering. Just having fun.
Some non 21:9/Monochrome pics.
Wrap up.
Are Foveon cameras a sensible choice?
Still no.
There are many more practical options on the market. But I will continue hanging out with these oddballs just the same.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 