Mster photo

SIGMA sd Quattro
Sigma has created a mirrorless body using DSLR lenses, and fitted it with the
acclaimed X3 Foveon Quattro sensor. The result is a distinctively different camera
– and in theory, they could make a Canon or Nikon version too.
Richard Kilpatrick takes a critical look at the professional potential.
Developing a new sensor
architecture for
the LCD-based DP
models, Sigma’s SLR solution
may have looked a little dated
– although the SD1 Merrill
did provide the 46Mp 3-layer
capture that would appear
to be the final iteration of
the original Foveon concept.
Earlier this year the sd Quattro
was announced, and as
we’ve come to expect from
Sigma, the design is far from
conventional.
A squat mirrorless body,
the sd Quattro retains a
deep lens mount, supporting
Sigma’s own lenses and AF
system from the SA/SD series
SLRs. Sigma’s loyal users will
be delighted to find the new
sensor architecture so far
only seen in compact bodies
retains the separate infra-red
hot mirror filter – this can be
detached very quickly and is
reasonably easy to reinstall,
though with the exposed
sensor it is even more crucial
to do this in clean conditions
rather than in the
field. Processing and power
management are evolutionary
steps from the dp Quattro
series, and no attempt has
been made to provide any
form of video recording; this
is a purely stills camera. Grip
and mount/barrel design are
very comfortable, and the
more central EVF location –
in what looks like it could be
an articulated module, but
is fixed – is comfortable for
right or left eye users alike.
The rear LCD is rather clever,
appearing to be a widescreen
letterbox format but actually
comprising two displays;
an attractive monochrome
LCD that resembles an OLED
display aligned to the control
buttons, and a 3:2 aspect
ratio 1.6Mp LCD display.
Although the specifications
suggest the latest in
Photographed by Paul Monaghan
using the SD quattro, 18-35mm ƒ1.8
Sigma ART lens, and studio flash.
www.thekirkystudio.com
Sigma sd Quattro – £799 body only. See: www.sigma-imaging-uk.com
The sd
Quattro has
an unusually
positioned
EVF ocular,
an internal
removable IR
filter, and a
Sigma SA lens
mount.
EVF performance, the reality
is vastly different from the
mainstream. Yes, the unit is
the latest 2.46Mp display, as
evidenced by the fine detail
on the menu and overlay
graphics and quality of playback;
however, it appears to
be driven by the same VGA
quality feed that is needed for
the dp Quattro. At best, it’s
the 1.6Mp of the rear LCD.
It’s possible that this isn’t
strictly the case, as the resolving
power of the sensor gives
clear moire when focus is
secured, but the effect is compounded
by a strong, distinctive
lag even in good light.
Such is the viewfinder (and
LCD) lag that the image distorts
centrally when panning.
This lag isn’t as apparent on
the dp Quattro, placing the sd
at a disadvantage compared
to the older, cheaper fixedlens
models. AF performance
yields a similar quandary –
the dp’s optimised, compact
16 • MASTER PHOTOGRAPHY SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2016