SD14 users?

[spheredome]

A few points to share which may already be in the mass of threads.

SD14 will occassionally encounter camera hangs. So it is not a camera to have its buffer full. The latest firmware doesn't fix it. But disabling preview seemed to avoid this problem.

SD14 does not do well in low light as compared to bayer in higher iso. So it is something to get use to.

SD14 writes slowly, so be patient. Using faster CF card won't help either. But it does give very beautiful color in daytime. SD14 IQ performs best with colorful situation and scenery, especially blue sky and cloud.

SD14 like the panasonic LX3, tends to oversaturate with bright red color. But painted red, cars are ok. But as you use, you will learn.

Because of the red IR filter, avoid photographing pointed light source as it will produce a red band or red flare.

 

[pisduck]

full res pic to show the fovean sensor capabilities.

I am selling my cam and 10-20mm lens at $1.2k. with local warranty.
http://www.clubsnap.com/forums/showthread.php?t=455293&highlight=sd14

 

[Fishmaster]

@pisduck: I don't know if it's me but there is very noticeable noise on the shirt of your wife(?) and the people in the background. However the X3F sensor with the 10-20mm seems to do a very very good job with the leaves.

..and do let me know if you are ever selling that 10-20 separately .

 

[pisduck]

Is there noise?

u mean the purple shirt or the black sweater?

Could be noise though as I think I used the fill light feature quite a bit to balance the exposure between the leaves and my wife.

I printed an A3+ print of this pic and it looks really good on print.

 

[spheredome]

I am not sure if it is call dark area noise. When you use SPP X3 fill-in on dark area, these noise will appear. Clean them with noiseware may be of help.

 

[stealer]

Yes, you can buy from amazon and ship via vpost. GST will be paid thru vpost. 17-70mm is a good choice as it is sharp as compare to 18-200mm which is rather soft.

- Avoid buying sigma macro flash from oversea as the flash firmware may not work for SD14, so it worth to order locally as you try.

- If you order extra battery from amazon, make sure you write to vpost that is it in original amazon package as US custom restrict shipping loose lithum battery. Else vpost will not ship for you.

Just an advise, don't remove the IR filter if you have impatient hands. It is very fragile and if broken, you have a hard time replacing.

Anyway SD15 and DP2 will be out in a few months. Hopefully.

Hi spheredome, you purchase from cameta as well?

 

[spheredome]

Yes, mine was from Cameta but via ebay store back then. So far so good.

How many of you are interested in SD15? ;p

Hi spheredome, you purchase from cameta as well?

 

[Fishmaster]

It depends on the quality of the SD15. I am already very very satisfied with the IQ of my SD14 as compared to the Canon 50D and I really do not know how good the SD15 has to be to make it worth the money.

After all the only real difference that there will be is the upgrade to TRUE-II.

 

[stealer]

Yes, mine was from Cameta but via ebay store back then. So far so good.

How many of you are interested in SD15? ;p

I see. So what lens you use? Lens purchase from cameta too?

As for SD15, i think the selling price is my concern... ;p

 

[pgk]

I got mine from Cameta too. It came in a good shape but with some dust on sensor. Could clean it myself with some trial and error.

About the quality of the camera, I am really very, very happy. I have used almost all brands of cameras and many models. Never seen such beautiful pictures from any other model. Amazing amazing quality - provided you use good lenses. Per pixel sharpness from it is so satisfying to view at 100%

However, it is a very basic & slow camera. If ultimate picture quality is your concern, go for it. Get some real good prime lenses to go with it too.

 

[stealer]

I got mine from Cameta too. It came in a good shape but with some dust on sensor. Could clean it myself with some trial and error.

About the quality of the camera, I am really very, very happy. I have used almost all brands of cameras and many models. Never seen such beautiful pictures from any other model. Amazing amazing quality - provided you use good lenses. Per pixel sharpness from it is so satisfying to view at 100%

However, it is a very basic & slow camera. If ultimate picture quality is your concern, go for it. Get some real good prime lenses to go with it too.

So which lens do you recommend?

 

[pgk]

So which lens do you recommend?

Get some Pentax Takumars (M42 mount) with a M42-Sigma SA adaptor - but you need to manually focus and do exposure compensation. They can be found for reasonable prices at eBay.

Otherwise, Sigma 70mm Macro & 30 /1.4 are reputed to be great but I don't have any experience with them.

Forgot to add that the results are great at ISO100. I don't use it at higher ISOs. SD14 is not a low light camera - it needs plenty of light to get fine results.

 

[tomcat]

So which lens do you recommend?

Get the 18-50mm f/2.8 EX, 50-150mm f/2.8 EX, 50mm f/2.8 EX Macro or 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro.

 

[stealer]

Get some Pentax Takumars (M42 mount) with a M42-Sigma SA adaptor - but you need to manually focus and do exposure compensation. They can be found for reasonable prices at eBay.

Otherwise, Sigma 70mm Macro & 30 /1.4 are reputed to be great but I don't have any experience with them.

Forgot to add that the results are great at ISO100. I don't use it at higher ISOs. SD14 is not a low light camera - it needs plenty of light to get fine results.

Good resource! However, is it good enough for an inexperience photographer with no AF?

 

[stealer]

Get the 18-50mm f/2.8 EX, 50-150mm f/2.8 EX, 50mm f/2.8 EX Macro or 105mm f/2.8 EX Macro.

Wow... how much budget required? :embrass:

 

[tomcat]

Just buy what you need first.
The 18-50mm f/2.8 is a great kit lens. Highly recommended.

Wow... how much budget required? :embrass:

 

[stealer]

Just buy what you need first.
The 18-50mm f/2.8 is a great kit lens. Highly recommended.

How much the selling price now? Where to get it would be better?

 

[tomcat]

How much the selling price now? Where to get it would be better?

About $800+ when I bought mine. Don't know what's the latest price. Make sure it's the improved Macro version as the older model is not, especially if you are buying 2nd hand.
Can get it from any of the usual suspects... whichever is your favorite. I got mine from Parisilk Holland Village.

 

[yytoh]

Went IT Show 2009 today and i got a Sigma 50-105mm f/2.8 lens for $1100 w/o GST outside was selling $1300+ But they don't have the Sigma SD14 mount so i paid and will get in 2-3weeks time. Got the remote control too ! Quite reasonable price i feel

Level 4 - Nxt to Lenovo Booth ( if i din remember wrongly ba )

HAHA cheers

 

[woeilee]

Hi all, found that Amazon online is selling Sigma SD14 cheaply. Check out http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-SD14-14...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1241683604&sr=8-5
Just to check, for those that are using this camera now, is it worth getting it since the price is so attractive?
Thanks.