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SIGMA SD14 / SD10 V’s Nikon D200
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Is anyone here planning to buy the new SD14 SIGMA camera, or even using an SD10 – I am in two minds on the SIGMA or a Nikon D200 due to sports & fps issues and would love to explore before commiting myself
Hi Alan
I can’t comment on the Sigma cameras because I have never handled one, but I do own a D200 and it is a dream. Even after owning a Nikon D70 for several years the WOW factor when I first picked up the D200 was incredible. I bought mine before the price dropped to more sensible levels, but even at that I don’t begrudge a penny of it, the camera is fantastic. It has not taken a single bad picture, I’ve taken thousands of crap ones, but the camera has been spot on every time.
Only negative, it weights a ton. If you’re into treking across country looking for that prefect landscape shot it will exhaust you carring it. Can’t remember were I read it but some rag voted it winner of the sexiest shutter sound, and when you try it you will understand why.
Good luck with whichever you choose.
Les
Disclaimer?this is from what I’ve read (and seen, including full size JPGs), not direct experience, much as I’d love to be able to compare an SD14 directly with a D200 and a 5D:
The SD14 comes close to being a convincing proof-of-concept for the superiority of the Foveon idea. Close, but not the whole way, as it’s a pretty average body with firmware issues and decidedly sub-average performance in today’s terms, as well as being a niche-market choice in terms of lens availability. But the images themselves are capable of demonstrating superior resolution and colour rendition over conventional Bayer sensors. I looked at some test images here http://www.ddisoftware.com/sd14-5d/ and they are very convincing up against an EOS 5D with the same subject. It’s all about the improved chrominance resolution, and is maybe something that only manifests when you’re looking at very fine and saturated detail, as most reviewers give the SD14 a thumbs-down compared with the more usual contenders like the D200/30D/5D etc.
One day, maybe we’ll see a camera that has the sheer blinding speed of an EOS 1Ds mkIII, the dynamic range and recoverability of a Fuji S5 (which can retrieve blown highlights in raw processing like you wouldn’t believe), the colour fidelity of an SD14, and the red-channel detail resolution of a D200 (which Ken Rockwell assures us is better than anything else on the planet, and I believe him since my 30D will blow out the red channel before everything else, making things like roses or bright red clothing very difficult to shoot unless you dial in a LOT of underexposure). But until then, I’d advise you to go for the D200, or a 1D mkIII or 5D or 30D, as the SD14 seems to be too performance-compromised to be a totally useable body. The Canon or Nikon alternatives have the benefit of good lens range availability and tried and trusted technology, flawed as it may be, as well as great ergonomics and performance in the field or on the street.
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