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Post by yashica1943 on Jun 20, 2015 13:10:01 GMT -5
I have two Panasonic Compact digital cameras, one, the wonderful DMC LX-7 and the other the cheap and not so wonderful SZ 8. As I put a electronic viewfinder on the LX 7 it became less than perfect as a pocket everyday camera so I bought the SZ 8 a few months ago to supplement it.
The big problem with the SZ 8 for me, is the on-off switch, fingernail type, I have lost a number of shots with the camera because it will not turn on reliably, you have to hit it exactly with a fingernail, pressure with the finger will not do. Zoom slow.The image quality is also not really good enough, alright for a £95 camera but I expected a little better.
So I was looking for something different on ebay and spent a long time looking at various Canons and Ricohs and others.
I researched various Sigma compacts as well and was interested in the good bits, lens and sensor and the bad bits, lack of zoom and slow read times etc.
I put a very low bid on a Sigma DP 1s, allegedly perfect and left it. And I won it.
So,anyone else have one or used one? I realise it is not everyone's choice. Main proposed use street pics!
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Post by kodaker on Jun 20, 2015 20:31:04 GMT -5
Sorry I have no experience with either the Panasonic SZ8 nor the Sigma DP1s but I totally agree that the Panasonic LX7 is a gem. With an f1.4 lens and manual everything possible it is an excellent camera. Although I have several digitals to choose from, unless I need a long zoom, I usually shoot with the LX7.
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Post by yashica1943 on Jun 21, 2015 2:05:48 GMT -5
Re the LX 7. If I want to take close-ups of anything (within reason)I get out the LX 7. Also. Yesterday I was passing a cricket pitch where I had taken several hundred shots of matches with my DSLR, many of them on 'motordrive' last month.
Just for fun I zoomed in with the Panasonic and took about five shots, then the side were all out so I moved on.
One of the pictures of the fielders, cricket ball and batsman about to strike it, with a little editing was as good as some of my DSLR shots.
Kodaker - do you have the electronic viewfinder for your LX7?
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Post by yashica1943 on Jun 23, 2015 8:22:15 GMT -5
The Sigma arrived. Originally purchased in June 2014. Spotless and complete except for the lens cap. A few test shots taken without adjusting settings. Skin tones amazing. It came with a Sigma circular polarising filter DG 46mm in its box, the rrp for this is about £57!
Just taken some more test shots in RAW and Jpg.
The quality is amazing, the 28 wide angle lens might not suit all subjects but I am looking forward to my next photo expedition - to a lavender farm.
I have ordered step down/up adapters so that I can put the 46mm filter on some of my Nikon 52mm dia lenses (not at w.a. obviously) and vice versa with my 52mm filters..
I rate this as my second best camera bargain ever at £81.
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Post by yashica1943 on Jul 19, 2015 7:33:14 GMT -5
I really rate this camera. The lens and sensor are amazing. I even get on well with the Sigma editing software which works very well in a logical way, not like some of the others, which, being difficult to use, put me off using RAW.
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Post by yashica1943 on Jul 21, 2015 12:24:14 GMT -5
Just practicing really, took this on the beach.I think that the detail is stunning...... Next..............  |
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Post by yashica1943 on Jul 21, 2015 12:32:32 GMT -5
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Post by kodaker on Jul 21, 2015 19:57:30 GMT -5
Re the LX 7. If I want to take close-ups of anything (within reason)I get out the LX 7. Also. Yesterday I was passing a cricket pitch where I had taken several hundred shots of matches with my DSLR, many of them on 'motordrive' last month. Kodaker - do you have the electronic viewfinder for your LX7? Yes I do have the DMW-LVF2 viewfinder, but rarely use it. |
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Post by yashica1943 on Aug 17, 2015 6:28:52 GMT -5
So pleased with the Sigma DP-1s I have just bought a Sigma SD 15 - yes I have researched it and do know about the drawbacks, but there are plenty of good Sigma lenses to fit! Report to follow.
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Post by yashica1943 on Aug 20, 2015 5:59:48 GMT -5
The Sigma SD15 and 18-50 lens has arrived, I bought it new from a German outlet. Looks good, battery now on charge. Only drawback, instruction manual is entirely in German. I have looked up the manual on the Sigma site and printed off the important bits............... Interested to see how it performs.
Just waiting for some decent weather to go out. One good thing about it is the lack of VIDEO! And all the odd 'novelty' programmes on my other digital cameras.
I couldn't work out how to change the picture quality in the menus, The (English) instructions say 'press the QS button to open the quick set menu'
But it doesn't tell you that you have to push it twice!!!! to get to image quality settings......
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Post by yashica1943 on Aug 23, 2015 11:56:09 GMT -5
I have been out with the SD15 as the sun is/was shining. Took 28 RAW pictures of various scenes, and, they go straight into the Sigma editing program that I use for the DP1s. The camera is quite heavy but easy to use and the shutter/mirror are quieter and better damped than my Nikon.
Not sure that the 18-50 mm zoom image is as good as the 28mm fixed lens on the compact, but the whole outfit is obviously much more versatile. I do like the filter fitted just inside the lens mount to prevent dust reaching the sensor.
Not too happy with the buttons positioned under my right thumb, they are just above where the thumb is supposed to rest but seem to be in a place where they can be pushed accidentally, perhaps it is just me?
Just ordered the SD15 Instructions in English from OTC. Think I might need them!
I have now bought a used, mint Sigma 28-200mm zoom for the SD 15, went out and shot about 60 frames in RAW of a local football match with it, a subject that the reviewers say that the camera is not suited to - (slow processing!).
The success rate was at least as good as I would expect from my modern Nikon DSLR with three or four really nice action shots. The camera lens combination gives really sharp clean images with a texture that is very pleasing. I think that the quiet damped shutter/mirror action helps.
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Post by yashica1943 on Sept 24, 2015 13:27:15 GMT -5
This morning I found a Sigma 170-500 zoom for Sigma fit on ebay. Liked the look of it, checked out the seller and reviews. £150. Arrives next week. Will use it for nature shots. Birds & Unicorns!
Lens arrived safe and sound. It is a monster. I wish that In had seen and bought it before the eclipse at the weekend. I have taken some shots with it and it seems to be very good, luckily I have a big heavy Manfrotto tripod that I bought in the 80's.
Latest.Went to the beach, with lens and tripod. Took pictures of ships, aircraft, people, moon and buildings in distance and far away landscapes and one seagull.Very pleased with the results. realise that I also need a good strong monopod.
Bought a new monopod. Went out this morning to my favourite pond and took a lot of pictures of a heron standing in a tree. About 120 metres away. I waited 30 minutes and eventually it flew off. I haven't looked properly at the result but I think it is good. Will post one on here if it is good enough.
The photos of the Heron are very good at around 3-400mm. At the 500mm end I think that they are a little softer, but think that might be because I was using a monopod rather than a tripod. The pictures I took of the scenery in the area, looking across the harbour at about 400mm are very good indeed. The Foveon sensor seems to favour some subjects over others, (with a shorter zoom lens, skin texture, fabrics, plant leaves and flowers are very good) Pictures I took of a local football match turned out to be very good.
I also have tried using different UV (skylight) filters, they affect the picture much more than my other dslr. (I know I can adjust white balance). So I have now bought a good clear filter for my main zoom lens for protection..
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