Reviews for Sigma SD14 14.1 Megapixel Digital SLR Camera Body Only

I love this camera

Strengths: Beautiful picture quality and realism. It has a creamy look to the photograph that is reminiscent of film and not duplicated by any Bayer sensor I have used to date. Comfortable and easy to use.

Weakness: Slow and not for point and shoot purposes or sporting events. Poor resolution on the screen and JPEGs are not nearly as good as when you shoot RAW

This camera is for the artist and enthusiast, not the gadget lover requiring instant gratification. If I were to compare it to something that would best illustrate my point, it would be like the audiophile who knows that records still sound far better than any CD even though they take much more patience and care to use. The dimensionality, color and realism of the photographs I take with this camera transport me back to the moment they were taken in a way Bayer sensor cameras cannot. It is hard to explain but I once read a car review that seems to capture the thought. It was comparing an Audi to a BMW. The Audi in many respects had better specifications than the BMW but the reviewer said it was the perfect driving simulator experience and the BMW was the perfect driver experience. While on paper, the BMW didn't have every edge, when driven, it connected the driver to the road in a visceral way that the Audi did not.

The lenses are also great and far less expensive than their counterparts from Canon, Nikon and Pentax although you should choose with care because some are better than others. I found out from Sigma that they buy their glass from the same place as Canon and Nikon do. I also found out that Sigma is the largest lens manufacturer in the world, something I didn't know until I spoke with them. It is important to also use the Sigma Photo Pro software to convert your RAW images. It works far better than any Adobe variant at interpreting SIGMA's X3F Raw files. Once you have converted, you may choose far more flexible post processing solutions.

When I purchased this camera, I went to a big store that carried many brands. I told them that I would be making a significant purchase that day and they let me take several pictures with different cameras and then they printed them for me and I chose the pictures I liked the best. They were ALL from the Sigma SD14. That was all I needed to make my decision. I am a Foveon convert and am not looking back.

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Sigma SD14

Strengths: Superb Imaging, Color. Very sharp - competes with Canon 5d, enlarges, images sharpen very well. Easy to use, excellent lenses at reasonable prices.

Weakness: A bit slow, batteries should last longer. Get an extra set and ac adapter for indoor use.

I suppose that the first thing that attracted me to the SD14 was the “mirror up” position on the Drive Dial . I was so sick of going through all umpteen thousand menus and functions programmed into the Canon Xti that I was ready to pull out my few remaining hairs. So, I traded a perfectly good, almost new 400d with 17-70 IS and 60mm Macro lenses.

I think the IMAGE QUALITY is superior to anything using the Bayer system. You can tell a “Foveon Image” – it has a special quality that other sensors lack. A “3-Shot” similar to the Technical color cameras would give you similar color quality.

While it might not have all the "bells and whistles," it is a much easier to operate than other cameras that have so many often nearly useless controls and functions using 2, 3 or 4 menus that you must go through to get where you want. It took me about 30 minutes to learn how to use the SD14. As indicated, so many other cameras are so complex that it almost defeats the purpose of taking photos in the first place. Too many functions spoil the camera! I just set the speed and usually use the Aperture or Manual setting with the ISO at 400 or less. Grain is nonexistent at ISO 50.

Compared to others, it may have some perceived shortcomings. The camera does not pretend to be all things for all people. At ISO 50 I think the images rival or better the 5d and has, I think are superior to or equal the best films. Using the right lens and software, sharpness is astounding.

Sigma does have a few dud lenses. So do other brands. If you are careful, as with any make, you can get excellent lenses from Sigma. I had a 17-40 Canon that never seemed as sharp as the Sigma 17-70.

Some complain about the “ergonomics.” I have average size hands, and have to say that I differ sharply with those seem to have problems with anything that is not a Canon or Nikon. The camera is not very heavy, all the controls seem to be in the right places. But as with anything new, one has to take a few moments to learn to use.

The camera is best used for portraits, landscapes, panoramas, fine art, industrial, macro, high quality reproduction and industrial photography. You could use it for weddings, but is slow and the buffer is limited. It is more of a “slow food” camera for all you people out there who like to take time and enjoy. Just think of it as something like a film camera without a motor drive. Those took a moment or two to wind, adjust the lens, shutter and focus... and don’t forget you had to change film every 12, 24 or 36 exposures. The SD14 gets 64 very high quality frames per gigabyte - far less costly than using chemical processes. 15 years ago I would have given my eye teeth for such a camera. My only gripe is that I wish the batteries lasted longer.

There are many technical articles that influenced this decision. Be that as it may it... if you are interested in doing “careful” photography this is the camera for you. My Leica M6 Nikon F3, Hasselblad or Ebony 4x5 did not have preview or a small fraction of the bells and whistles we have come to expect today. I had to use a light meter then set the lens or use a Polaroid to gauge exposure.

So, as you can see, for my purposes, anyway, the camera is truly wonderful, and I would heartily recommend it to anyone interested in producing fine images.

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Sigma SD14

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