Joy of the Sigma DP2

Japanese maple, taken with AML-1 close-up lens

In many ways a camera that falls way behind the rest of the competition - sluggish autofocus, a second-rate LCD screen, old-fashioned menu interface and so on - the Sigma DP2 is a piece of camera magic in a little black box.

The images it products - like its older brother the DP1 - are simply astounding. They have a unique quality which almost feels 3D in certain situations.

The DP2 and DP1 are compact digitals camera with a large-sized sensor and fixed focal length lens. The new DP2 has a 41mm length lens - a "standard" length not far off the 50mm lenses that used to come bundled with film SLRs. The older DP1 has a wide angle 28mm lens.

Tufty, again with the AML-1 close-up lens

Until the (rather sexy) new Olympus EP-1 hits the streets next month, the Sigmas are the only compact-sized cameras with large sensors. This means that the pixels are much, much bigger than other compact cameras, generally resulting in less digital "noise" in photographs. And a bigger sensor also means it's possible to achieve a much shallower depth of field in an image (making it possible to throw areas out-of-focus, especially when shooting at f2.8 on the DP2).

What's more, they are also the only compacts with Sigma's proprietary Foveon sensor, which is different from usual camera technology, having a separate layer for red, green and blue, rather than a single layer of interspersed RGB pixels. This means that despite their rather low resolution count (approximately 4.5 megapixels) they produce images with a similar level of detail to other 8-12 megapixel cameras.

One of the most controversial aspects of the cameras is the design. Some people hate the black minimalist black box-like form (the body of the camera is used as a heat sink for the electronics inside). I think it looks like the sort of camera Dieter Rams might have created. And with the dinky optical viewfinder, it really looks the business.

In use, it's fairly slow, a bit like using a mini medium format camera. Which suits a filmhead like myself. It encourages you to slow down, think about what you're doing. Not ideal for party snapshots, but excellent for more considered work.

With the recent firmware update, the autofocus is snappier (it was dreadful before). And taking the camera out and about with me, I'm in photo heaven. And I've made some really gorgeous A2 prints from the files.

My website is back up and running

For those of you who had noticed a problem, I'm pleased to report that my website is now back up and running. There had been a problem with the photography portfolios which has now been fixed. I've also updated text on the site. This will soon be followed by expanded image portfolios. Visit my site here>

Image of Oakham School Jerwood School of Design, by Project Orange, on cover of this week's Architect's Journal (AJ)

My recent photography of the Jerwood School of Design, Oakham School, Leicester has been chosen for the cover of this week's Architect's Journal (AJ). The building, designed by Project Orange, features timber shingle cladding. Read the article here> 

Kent road trip - Broadstairs to Pluckley via Dungeness and Rye

House in Rye

50° 54'.77 N 00° 58'.70 E: Dungeness Lighthouse

Boardwalk

Simon Condor house, Dungeness

Streetscape

Church in the shadow of Dungeness A

Prospect Cottage

Do not smoke

Back from a four day trip to Kent, and some of its most beguiling spots, captured with the Sigma DP2 and converted to monochrome with Sigma Photo Pro. A fantastic trip (thanks Knit Nurse!) and can't wait to return to Romsey Marsh.

Strutt & Parker property agents by Forme UK

Quite a few months after I took them, here are some shots of the rather lovely Mayfair HQ of property consultant Strutt & Parker, designed by Forme UK. There's a nice mix of period detail with contemporary insertions. 

Obvious pictures of London and the Jubilee Bridge crossing

Okay, I'll throw my hands up. Some cliché photos of the Jubilee Bridge in central London. Snapped on the way home this evening with the Sigma DP1. Handheld, nonetheless, so don't try making enlargements that are too big! But the light was quite nice, and sometimes it's almost acceptable to follow the tourists...

Destination Margate

Turn off the lights

Finally made it to Margate to shoot the Dreamland site, as part of my Sea Change case studies commissioned by CABE. It seemed like forever on the train getting there (including an amusing incident at Whitstable where someone tried to bring a motorbike on board), but it was all worth it. Fab architecture and great beach - what more do you want?