In Parts 1 and 2 of this series, I spent a tremendous number of words discussing the merits of Sigma's Foveon sensor for BW photography. In this article, I'll look specifically at the DP3 Merrill as a camera, rather than as a box that holds a Foveon sensor.
After Part 1's discussion of the theoretical advantages of Sigma's Foveon sensor for BW photography, this next installment looks at the BW process in detail, making it even nerdier than Part 1. The article includes a discussion of the tonal differences between BW photos taken with Sigma cameras vs. BW photos converted from color images taken with "traditional" digital cameras. It then segues into an examination of the BW workflow required by Sigma, including both the advantages and disadvantages of the process, plus my recommendations for improving both the process and the cameras.
Many people love cameras because they love gizmos, gadgets and technology. My love for cameras is more of an adjunct to my true love — photography. But that doesn't preclude me from occasionally going full-on camera nerd — particularly when it comes to something like Sigma's Foveon sensor, which has the theoretical potential to transform my BW photography.
