I'm sorry to report a very unsatisfactory experience with Sigma. I have had to return the DP1 for repair (replacement) twice. Once was because it seemed to leak dust, the second because I bumped it (not hard). The first was free, the second was expensive.
Understanding the fragility of this little camera I was crazy careful with it. Frankly since getting an iPhone the DP1 was hardly used at all. One day the lens refused to retract. I sent it in for repair and was shocked and disappointed with the response. The repair technician insinuated that this lovingly used camera was abused. Any slight rubbing of paint was pointed to as proof. Huh? Really? He then magnanimously offered to sell me a repaired replacement....and I was made to understand that he shouldn't even be doing that.
I contacted Sigma asking to whom I might appeal. So far zero response.
C'mon Sigma. You've made a great little imager in an eggshell fragile box. Take some pride...show some love to your early adopters...stand behind your stuff.
Monday, January 17, 2011
Monday, September 13, 2010
colors
well my DP1 is broken again. After the last repair I've been using it very carefully and sparingly (the iPhone gets most of the work). A person whose blog I follow, Carl Rytterfalk has asked for examples of foveon color and so I sent him a few. Of course the task reminded me why I will once again pay to repair this camera...the colors...(and when they're removed the stunning B&W's).
Saturday, July 24, 2010
xPan & iPhone.
I love the idea behind the DP1. A pocket sized world class imager. I like it so much that I bought an even smaller camera, the Canon S90. This led to my present love of the iPhone. Small sensor with all kinds of creative software on board (Apps). Now it seems that I shoot the iPhone or the xPan film camera. Love using each of them for different reasons. Also, each camera capitalizes the second letter of it's name. Hmmm.
At any rate my daughter seems to have "Borrowed" my S90. Sure glad the DP1 fits into my pocket.
My recent blog posts are on iPhonemeanderings.blogspot.com.
My recent blog posts are on iPhonemeanderings.blogspot.com.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Wednesday, December 9, 2009
Global Scamming
I believe that I understand the knee jerk reactions of group members when the group is suddenly cast into a bad light. The excuses come immediately, the feelings of being mis understood, the "Circle the Wagons" reaction. After a while however it starts to become evident to other group members that if this group truly has merit then the actions of a few, no matter how damning, must be overcome and the perpetrators must be exorcised.
I am speaking of Climategate. It has been recently disclosed that some who call themselves Scientists have been fudging the numbers. In the first instance to refer to oneself as a Climatologist infers a field of study that just does not yet exist. There are licensed Cosmetologists but not Climatologists. It is safe to say that this important field of study is in fact being developed which emphasizes just how brand new the field is.
As a species we expect much more from certain groups. Scientists are one such group. From scientists we expect truth even if it hurts, scientific method, peer review and an attempt to eschew politically motivated "Truths." From those who have perpetrated the Global Warming Scare we got none of those things, quite the opposite in fact. This is serious for many reasons but perhaps the biggest reason is that it's so darned important to us. Every craftsman knows you must trust your tools, if you can't, then replace them.
To the other true scientists in the world I say it's time to stand up. Take the beating coming to you. Punish the perpetrators of the hoax, fix the problems and get on with this important work. Otherwise the politicians will gleefully run with the crap that's been developed and create a world we do not want and do so in your name.
I am speaking of Climategate. It has been recently disclosed that some who call themselves Scientists have been fudging the numbers. In the first instance to refer to oneself as a Climatologist infers a field of study that just does not yet exist. There are licensed Cosmetologists but not Climatologists. It is safe to say that this important field of study is in fact being developed which emphasizes just how brand new the field is.
As a species we expect much more from certain groups. Scientists are one such group. From scientists we expect truth even if it hurts, scientific method, peer review and an attempt to eschew politically motivated "Truths." From those who have perpetrated the Global Warming Scare we got none of those things, quite the opposite in fact. This is serious for many reasons but perhaps the biggest reason is that it's so darned important to us. Every craftsman knows you must trust your tools, if you can't, then replace them.
To the other true scientists in the world I say it's time to stand up. Take the beating coming to you. Punish the perpetrators of the hoax, fix the problems and get on with this important work. Otherwise the politicians will gleefully run with the crap that's been developed and create a world we do not want and do so in your name.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Memorial
As I write this the Memorial Service for the slain Police Officers is starting in Tacoma WA. These 4 were gunned down at a local coffee shop while they caught up on reports and enjoyed a cup prior to starting work on a Sunday morning. Strangely the gunman spared the lives of the other customers and workers in the shop.
Two days later the gunman was on the losing end of a gunfight with Seattle Police and was found to have been severely wounded by one of the slain officers and to be in possession of one of their guns. Later it was reported that the gunman had told others that he was going to kill as many people as he could starting with cops and to also include schools.
The information paints this picture: the gunman entered the coffee shop and immediately shot the 4 people he saw that were armed. He then picked up a weapon from a fallen officer to perhaps (or probably) finish his murderous rampage with the others in the shop. As a final action one of the dying officers was able to launch one into the gunman who then shocked from his wound, fled to the car waiting for him and was driven away into hiding. The officer saved several lives in the coffee shop and perhaps many others in other locations.
It is the middle of an unusual cold spell in the Pacific Northwest, temperatures are not expected to rise to freezing (32 Fahrenheit, 0 Celsius). This weather has been with us for a week and is expected to have a week more before returning to the usual 45 degrees and raining winter weather. My sister also reports snow on the North Shore, and that's not northern New England but Lake Pontchartrain just outside New Orleans. Fitting weather for the Memorial service. Also fitting weather I think for the alternative energy lovefest & political sideshow commencing in Copenhagen. In fact it could be an omen if this conference truly had anything at all to do with science. Sadly it's all about politics, pseudo-science is the sheep's clothing.
Two days later the gunman was on the losing end of a gunfight with Seattle Police and was found to have been severely wounded by one of the slain officers and to be in possession of one of their guns. Later it was reported that the gunman had told others that he was going to kill as many people as he could starting with cops and to also include schools.
The information paints this picture: the gunman entered the coffee shop and immediately shot the 4 people he saw that were armed. He then picked up a weapon from a fallen officer to perhaps (or probably) finish his murderous rampage with the others in the shop. As a final action one of the dying officers was able to launch one into the gunman who then shocked from his wound, fled to the car waiting for him and was driven away into hiding. The officer saved several lives in the coffee shop and perhaps many others in other locations.
It is the middle of an unusual cold spell in the Pacific Northwest, temperatures are not expected to rise to freezing (32 Fahrenheit, 0 Celsius). This weather has been with us for a week and is expected to have a week more before returning to the usual 45 degrees and raining winter weather. My sister also reports snow on the North Shore, and that's not northern New England but Lake Pontchartrain just outside New Orleans. Fitting weather for the Memorial service. Also fitting weather I think for the alternative energy lovefest & political sideshow commencing in Copenhagen. In fact it could be an omen if this conference truly had anything at all to do with science. Sadly it's all about politics, pseudo-science is the sheep's clothing.
Friday, October 30, 2009
Acadia
I recently returned from a trip to the East Coast. Sleepy Hollow (New York's Catskill Mountains) and Maine. The time spent in New York at a family wedding was altogether too short. Maine was unseasonably cold. It seemed to be snowing or raining just about always. My brother in law who knows how much I love Acadia National park told me on Tuesday that Thursday morning would be a great day for the coast. Turns out he was absolutely correct. The morning was very cold but there were only a handful of clouds in the sky, a photographer could have designed it.
I did my homework and had a 5 page itinerary in a spiral notebook. Arrived at Acadia at O-Dark-Thirty to find it closed. HUH??? Since when is a National Park closed? I had noticed a few photographers at a bay I passed so they probably were as disappointed as I was. By the time we got into the park the sun was well up. Oh well. I later overheard some folks talking about black ice so perhaps there were some safety issues.
I did have a great time photographing the pink granite. I was particularly impressed with the eroding forces on the granite, ice, plant life and in particular the lichens. The lichens were various shades of green or else a grayish blue color.
The day grew steadily more cloudy and by noonish it was socked in. I missed the sunset I was hoping for but as I was driving back I could REALLY feel the cold in my bones. Funny how I didn't notice it at all walking though the park. Probably a good thing for me the day turned cloudy.
On this trip I brought a couple dozen large prints. A few on photographic paper, some on canvas and several on some very nice Arches watercolor paper. Anyone who asked for or admired a print was given it. Now this is a junk-science sample but all of the prints from the DP1 were given away as were all of my xPan (film) prints. The bayer sensor digital images (Nikon DSLR) came home with me.
Click on images for larger version
This DP1 continues to be a pain in the ass to use, but those colors....
I did my homework and had a 5 page itinerary in a spiral notebook. Arrived at Acadia at O-Dark-Thirty to find it closed. HUH??? Since when is a National Park closed? I had noticed a few photographers at a bay I passed so they probably were as disappointed as I was. By the time we got into the park the sun was well up. Oh well. I later overheard some folks talking about black ice so perhaps there were some safety issues.
I did have a great time photographing the pink granite. I was particularly impressed with the eroding forces on the granite, ice, plant life and in particular the lichens. The lichens were various shades of green or else a grayish blue color.
The day grew steadily more cloudy and by noonish it was socked in. I missed the sunset I was hoping for but as I was driving back I could REALLY feel the cold in my bones. Funny how I didn't notice it at all walking though the park. Probably a good thing for me the day turned cloudy.
On this trip I brought a couple dozen large prints. A few on photographic paper, some on canvas and several on some very nice Arches watercolor paper. Anyone who asked for or admired a print was given it. Now this is a junk-science sample but all of the prints from the DP1 were given away as were all of my xPan (film) prints. The bayer sensor digital images (Nikon DSLR) came home with me.
Click on images for larger version
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
