So when the first shipments of the Sigma DP2 Merrill arrived we asked Robert if he’d be interested in doing a follow-up to this story featuring this amazing compact camera and his immediate email reply was simply this:YES! When? And then right after we posted this First Impressions blog post, we started making plans to spend a day with Robert Lopshire and model Abbie Davidson and the Sigma DP2 Merrill. We spent a Tuesday in early September at Robert’s home studio, and he and his team made a series of amazing photos.
Robert admitted to being just a little nervous about swapping out the DSLR for a compact camera, especially since this was a full-production shoot with a make-up artist and a hair stylist, but that quickly gave way to amazement and excitement as he checked out the images captured by the Sigma DP2 Merrill, first on the LCD, and then on his big computer monitor during a break in the photo session.
“This would be an awesome camera for fashion photographers or any photographer that needs images with incredible detail.”
Another outdoor portrait, this one at 1/250 at F4.0, and converted to classic monochrome. Same credits as above.Here is a 100% pixel view of the above image. Notice both the amazingly sharp detail on the model's face, as well as the lovely bokeh quality of the background thanks to the rounded aperture blades in the 30mm F2.8 lens.
“The DP2 is feels solidly built and well put together, the camera has a good weight to it and seems pretty well balanced. It feels right in my hands.”
“The big, bright screen made navigation and framing the image easy, and it did not take long to get the settings squared away for our shoot. I wish I had some more time to shoot with the SigmaDP2 Merrill so I could really dig into it a bit deeper, but all together the system seems very intuitive.”
Since 1961, SIGMA has worked towards a single, simple goal: to imagine and develop the technologies that will allow the attainment of the perfect image. In addition, we do our best to provide photographers with the information and inspiration they need to bring their creative endeavors to the next level.
Hi William, the DP2 Merrill will sync all the way up to top shutter speed of 1/2000 second. Stay tuned for some high-speed experimental shots that I’ve been working on! ~ Jack for Sigma
Amazing photos you took with the DP2 Merrill. I love my DP2 and I am saving for the Merrill.
Can you tell me what was used to fire the ain light? Which king of triggers you used in the shoot.
Thanks,
Fernando
Fernando, Rob was using a Microsync Wireless Strobe system mounted in the hotshoe of the DP2 Merrill.
Hi, great post here! I’m interested to know what is the highest flash sync speed of the DP2 Merrill?
Hi William, the DP2 Merrill will sync all the way up to top shutter speed of 1/2000 second. Stay tuned for some high-speed experimental shots that I’ve been working on! ~ Jack for Sigma