azaan_izzam Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Dear All, I own a Nikon D3200 with a 35mm f/1.8g that I left back home. Currently I am a student in Europe & looking at the market for another camera. Preferably a larger format, however I would like a similar form factor or smaller which is a contradictory requirement. I take a lot of time in composing shots and do not shoot more than 800 ISO even with the D3200, have only recorded exposure at a maximum ISO 1600 but those are quite less in number, with majority of the shots(90%) in 100-400 ISO range. I am looking at the afore mentioned cameras, the medium format 6by9 Fujifilm GW690III which goes for around $400.00 used and will require investments in film & processing, which might be a bit high in Europe & not favouring my student budget. Besides the fact that these are not available anywhere outside of E-bay.<br /><br />Other than that I am looking at the Sigma DP3 Merrill which as you know is APS-C but quite a few reviews have compared them favourably to medium formats. Landscapes are my primary field of interest. I was not interested in the Merrill at their MRP but I found a few retailers who sell them new for Euro 400 & change that comes to around $430.00, less than half of their introductory price.<br /><br />I cannot make a clear distinction between the 2 since both have advantages over each other.<br /><br />Await any valuable suggestions.<br /><br />Thanking you, Azaan Izzam Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mike_earussi1 Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 <p>I made a similar comparison several years ago between the Sigma SD1 (which uses the same chip as the DP3) and Fuji 6x9 90mm and found the SD1 much better:<br /> Fuji: http://www.pbase.com/mikeearussi/image/145771283<br /> Sigma: http://www.pbase.com/mikeearussi/image/145771284</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jerry thirsty Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 Since the Fuji has a normal lens and the Sigma is a short telephoto, are you really sure you consider them to be interchangeable? The DP2M would be more comparable. Personally, even though I like physical media, I'd go with the Sigma. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted April 20, 2015 Share Posted April 20, 2015 <p>Those are two very different things. A medium format film rangefinder with a slight wide-angle from the "Texas Leica" family vs. an APSC compact camera with a slow moderate tele lens. Though I guess they do have a few things in common. They'd both be pretty poor at ISOs over 400, the Sigma will AF about as well as a manual focus camera does and it would take about the same amount of time to have 8 shots on a roll of 120 film processed and scanned as to process 8 raw files in Sigma's software :)</p> <p>Can't you have your D3200 shipped to you? A Texas Leica has a certain appeal, but really the D3200 makes the most practical sense.</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jochen_S Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 <p>I agree with Andy upon getting the Nikon shipped to you.<br> What do you want out of the MF Fuji? - Color negatives mean a cost explosion compared to 35mm film. - 3.5x film 8x processing, 1.8x print prices. According to some German lab's list.<br> Slides: exposure hassle - bracketing? What to do with them? Projectors and frames for 6x9 seem ultra rare? - Negs could be scanned too...<br> I think for home processed BW that camera could be nice. - I used to live in my darkroom as a teen. I haven't finished converting my bathroom. - Darkroom means work and eats time. Scanning takes ages too, but watching TV interferes less with it.<br> I haven't seriously looked at the Sigmas. - I read bad reviews about the RAW processing software, which is quite the deal breaker for me. - I noticed quite a big need for "accessible" images in the field; i.e. a borrowed PC should be able to handle my RAWs. I am already pretty annoyed by Irfanview failing to open my DNGs or Picasa not handling x-trans RAWs. Issues must be bigger with the Merril RAWs. <br> If I was you, I'd download Photopro before I'd buy a camera. - Lets hope it comes with a sample file. <br> Since you picked cameras with different fixed focal lengths: Make up your mind! - I agree upon 50mm on APS being nice for landscapes. - I love(d) my 120 /135mms on 6x6. - Shooting 6x9 to crop the heck out of it makes little sense in my eyes. Better grab a portable folder and mount a 4x5" lens on it. <br> I notice slow AF annoys me a lot. - While I might take longer to focus a manual camera I am happily busy doing that. Waiting for AF vexes me. </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azaan_izzam Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 <p>Dear Mike,<br /><br />Thanks for your response to the post. Yes the SD1 files seem great as much as the Fujis.<br /><br />Dear Jerry,<br /><br />They are not the perfect comparison lens wise but I am more into landscape and macro, also a bit of portrait work. I considered the DP2M but I know for a fact that the DP3M offers a slightly better noise profile and slightly longer battery life from the DP2M, while also the dials being a bit more grippy. I do not consider this a significant advantage over the DP2M but since they are going for the same price and I already have a 35mm (52mm equivalent) lens back in India, I decided to try narrow down on the DP3M.<br /><br /> Dear Andy & Jochen,<br> Sending the Nikon over is the most practical option, will cost me about Euro 60 but what is sad is the shots I might miss during my vacation in Austria the next weekend. <br /><br />Dear Jochen,<br /><br /><br> Thanks for sharing your experience. I have therefore decided to go against the Fujis due to film development costs.<br> I already downloaded the clunky Photopro 6.2 two days ago and yes it is slightly slow like GIMP which I am used to. <br /><br /><br /><br />Now the question is whether to ask my parents to send the D3200 to me.</p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azaan_izzam Posted April 21, 2015 Author Share Posted April 21, 2015 <p>I would also like to say that Nikon pissed me off with their servicing. I have dust in my viewfinder and on asking them to clean it, they said its inside viewfinder and I need to buy a new viewfinder as it can't be cleaned. Their immediate response was dust is everywhere. I tried an independent service centre and they said the same.<br />I know the post doesn't belong here but ....</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Robin Smith Posted April 21, 2015 Share Posted April 21, 2015 <p>Azaan. What they say is true. Why are you upset by this? Not all companies lie.</p> Robin Smith Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azaan_izzam Posted April 22, 2015 Author Share Posted April 22, 2015 <p>I expected them to do something about it, if it is such a common problem why doesn't Nikon actually address it? Yes, probably the weather resistant body has an upper hand but I do not think it should be a luxury. <br /><br />On the other hand, I have decided to go against either the Sigma DP3M or the Fuji MF, I will be exceeding my budget. Instead I am deciding between a good condition 6 by 9 Agfa Record II or the FF Bessa L(without lens) which go for around Euro 75. <br /><br />I am already searching on this topic in the forums but your suggestions will be of immense help. <br /><br />Thanks in advance,<br />Azaan</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
john_photos Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 <p>A sigma consumer grade Zoom lens? How about Sigma uber sharp PRIME lens mated to its own sensor as in the DP3 Merrill? first fallacy in Mr Earussi's "comparison" that adds nothing to this thread. Not taking sides either way but this is a poor side by side if one cares to draw valid conclusions about the relative merits/minuses of each system.<br> Why did you not inform us what scanner you used? consumer flatbed epson or professional film scanner? </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted April 24, 2015 Share Posted April 24, 2015 Azaan, dust infiltration is a fact or life. I've seen it in SLRs, high end to low end, from a lot of manufacturers. Getting inside the viewfinder to get it out is usually either not possible or so difficult that you'd almost never do it, just for a bit of dust. John, re the Sigma lens - sure, you can get sharp results from one of those cameras, but what's the point when it's so cumbersome to use with slow AF and terrible software? Anybody can make a prime lens that's sharp at f/2.8. The OP already owns one, and it's on a camera that's far more usable that a DP. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mag_miksch Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 <p>If you want to buy just 1 Merrill go with the DP2m</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azaan_izzam Posted April 25, 2015 Author Share Posted April 25, 2015 <p>Thank you guys,<br> I had to pay up for a couple of things for college and re-adjust my budget. So now I am looking at stuff below 100 Euros with everything included.<br> Although I am tempted by a Bronica ERT that's going for Euro 200. <br> Regards,</p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted April 25, 2015 Share Posted April 25, 2015 You're going to go out and find a 100 euro camera because you're mad at your Nikon for having a bit of finder dust? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
azaan_izzam Posted May 6, 2015 Author Share Posted May 6, 2015 <p>No Andy, getting the Nikon here from India will cost me Euro 55.00 and I might have to pay to the post office here as did my friend. Besides, I can get a used camera for Euro 80.00 (which I have already purchased). Combined with my temptation to get into film, I think it will be good to invest in a used camera! </p> <p> </p> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
andylynn Posted May 6, 2015 Share Posted May 6, 2015 Well I've got nothing against getting into film. Enjoy it! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Luttmann Posted May 23, 2015 Share Posted May 23, 2015 Mike, how was the film scanned? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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