Sigma DP Merrils Price Drop

Well I've just had my first look at what the DP3M can do this evening.

Two words: Stunning Unforgiving

The ability to deal with texture such as bark or brickwork and deal with distant detail is simply superb. OK that's to be expected with the samples posted here and elsewhere. But seeing it with your own eyes still has impact - so far expectation has been exceeded.

But it was pretty clear that anything less that 1/100 or 1/125 handheld puts that detail at risk.

The bokeh could be better. A shot through a mess of branches with the sky behind left lots of fussy shimmering blur. I've seen worse. But the lens + sensor combination invite you to become quite critical because their other virtues make you bit less tolerant.

I used on 2/3 of a battery on 46 shots over around 2 hours - with the camera being switched off between most shots. So I reckon 4 batteries will be a minimum to cover a day out. That means if busy doing things on successive days the charger will become a logistical bottleneck.

It's amazing how tempting a DP2M and DP1M are right now. It's not going to happen. But it tantalises none-the-less. I would have to sell of some gear to make the other half sign off on this ("Why do you need *another* camera? ....."). Sigh.
 
Even after seeing all the great images posted from the dp merrills I was still blown away once I uploaded my first batch onto my Pc. Decent shutter speeds are a must especially with the dp3 for obvious reasons as it has the longer focal length and is pretty unforgiving at slower speeds.With regards to battery life I am trying to convince the other half that if I buy a dp2 m I would then have 4 batteries saving about £85 if I went and got 2 additional ones for the dp3 :beer: It confused her for a few minutes but ultimately didnt quite work!:D Although have sort of convinced her these wll become a classic collectable camera one day so need to get a dp2m whilst stocks last.:woot:(Watch this space)
 
Last edited:
StuartH said:
I would then have 4 batteries saving about £85 if I went and got 2 additional ones for the dp3
Click to expand...

2 batteries *and* an extra charger (that's an additional £41.73 according to the Sigma site).
 
theres 3rd party ones on ebay, probably amazon too

im very tempted for a dp1 or 2 :x
 
Lovely pic and lovely looking dog!..I am sat here thinking do I really need a dp2 as I have the 3 and you post this up:D
 
so thinking if i went for one, i should get
dp2 or 1
another 3-4 batteries
another charger maybe
49mm uv filter cos im a clutz :p
some add on grip thing or make something
should i get the offical hood or just use a screw in rubber one?
 
This is very tempting, its not just the detail I'm impressed with but the hue's and tones are just beautiful. Has anyone used it for studio work?
 
pingu666 said:
so thinking if i went for one, i should get
dp2 or 1
another 3-4 batteries
another charger maybe
49mm uv filter cos im a clutz :p
some add on grip thing or make something
should i get the offical hood or just use a screw in rubber one?
Click to expand...

I've been using metal cheap metal hoods off ebay. They seem pretty good and you can get solid or vented 49mm ones for under £5.

Whenever I've bought one of these I've bought a pinch lens cap to go on the hood. Often a 49mm hood takes a 58mm cap but the hood ad should state the cap size.
 
Last edited:
did you order online today?..they didnt have any on Friday when I spoke to them.
 
yeah i ordered online, cant see any mention of stock :/
think srs are due in stock today

might have to ring them to check
 
I would mate as they couldn't tell me when they were getting any in.
 
Yep every time I rang Clifton they said next week lol but said didn't know the other day same with Srs.
 
Well thats the dp2 merrill winging its way to me for Wednesday! Spoke to ffordes earlier they said only one was showing on the system,I went back to Park Cameras for mine,real pleasant guys and and free next day delivery plus they matched Cliftons price.:D
 
well going to wait on clifton and hope they do get stock when they say they will, did get a email update too, so really good customer service :)

"Good afternoon.

Thank you very much for your recent order. Please be advised that we are awaiting a delivery of this item from supplier, who has advised the delivery will arrive mid week.

As soon as it does, we will dispatch and email you to confirm.

If you have any questions or concerns in the meantime, please do not hesitate to contact us.

Kind regards, "
 
StuartH said:
Well thats the dp2 merrill winging its way to me for Wednesday! Spoke to ffordes earlier they said only one was showing on the system,I went back to Park Cameras for mine,real pleasant guys and and free next day delivery plus they matched Cliftons price.:D
Click to expand...

So that's a DP3 and a DP2 then - what about the DP1?

I keep wondering whether to add a second Merrill to my DP2, but can't decide which. Currently edging towards the DP1 as I'd probably make more use of the wider angle, but then the lens quality isn't meant to be as good, and I can just stitch frames if the DP2 isn't wide enough...
 
Mmm no dp1 didnt appeal Simon tbh..I wouldnt make use of that wide angle. The 30mm dp2m will be nice for when the dp3 is just a bit too long.The 50mm and 35mm nikon primes were my most used lenses so as this will be similar it should suffice.I am also going to order a marumi +5 for the dp3.
 
Stuart yes they are,to,say the least. Any ideas of a link to some third party batteries for the merrill?
 
No mate..as I will have dp2 also on Wednesday I will have 4 genuine batteries and hoping that should do me.
 
Umm I like you thinking makes me think that getting the DPM1 maybe a good idea then :-)
 
Ordered a DP1M. The weekend with the DP3M makes a second Merrill too good an opportunity to pass up. Hopefully it will arrive by the weekend.

Having been looking at moving to FF via an A7r later this year the DPMs make some sort of economic sense at the current price point. Having seen what the DP3M can do I reckon that I can hold off and watch the FF mirrorless situation evolve a bit more for two or three years - hang on to my APS-C DSLT and DSLR for now (for the stuff that moves or needs high ISO, or using zooms, or flash) and treat the two DPMs as the equivalent of a FF mirrorless with two good well matched primes albeit with restricted functionality.

Added to which the DPMs are just intriguing because they are different. Just playing with the DP3M over the weekend and seeing what it can do has given me a buzz I haven't felt very often working with a new piece of kit.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top