Latti,
Mate you have a partner in crime here. I got excited by the concept of the DP1 when it was first announced many years ago. But, to be entirely honest, I was put off by the reviews. Well time passed and on a whim I bought myself the DP2s. And Jeez I love this little camera. Everything that the reviews have said is wrong or misleading. It is a camera that you MUST get to know. Its charm is wasted on folks who experience it for only a few minutes, hours, or days. Yes the UI of the little DPs is not the same as most other cameras....but that's what's so cool about it. After a few weeks I noticed that I not only adapted to the controls, but evolved to them. I am now in a position that my dSLR is gathering dust. It just doesn't offer the same outputs and is simply clunky in handling by comparison. The DP gives great results - I've not heard many rubbish the IQ! - but it also demands a little something of the photographer - that they slow down and focus, be in the moment and then.....well marvel at the results. My next step is a DP1.
But I digress
1) ISO 50 or 100? Is there a real-world difference in DR or anything else?
In my experience there's no real IQ advantage at ISO50. It can - sometimes - have the tendency to over-expose and blow highlights. Some say that ISO100 is the max, but that the lower 50 setting has been added as a marketing ploy...though others claim it does help with fill flash. I'm not an unnatural light sort of guy, so I couldn't say. There are other sites that go into the great detail on the use of ISO50- but I best not sully this site with competitor links
. My cardinal rule is stick to 100-800 for colours and feel free to push it beyond 1600 for B+W. To me the Foveon sensor is stellar for black and white images....and the high ISO noise is the most pleasant I've encountered.
2) Are the default import settings in Lightroom worthwhile? I think SPP is just terrible UI.
Nothing delivers the picyure punch like SPP. I agree the UI is a little primitive....and you can't even crop! However, I have processed RAW directly from LR3 and found the results flat. I suppose this is to be expected, as LR is used to Bayer interpolation while SPP is native to the Foveon subtly. X3F images are always lauded for their 3D feel and I've only really found SPP can draw this out.
My workflow is: Open in SPP, tweak through the auto settings and then refine, export to double sized TIFF and then massage in LR3.
3) Any other tips?
Relax with the DP. Don't get frustrated at it for not being an SLR. It isn't. It wants you to relax in the moment. Just kick back and enjoy.
Recommendations:
1. get an optical viewfinder. They are pricey but worth every penny. I have the native Sigma VF21 - though have heard good reviews of the bigger Voigtlander too. I love the OVF. Once you get used to the frames you won't go back to hands-outstretched shooting.
2. If you intend shooting macro the AML-1 is a worthwhile purcahse. You can get cheaper via filter stacking - as the AML-1 is about 7x - but they'll all vignette. This will give you pin sharp reults acrosss the frame.
3. Once your feeling more comfortable with the UI, I'd suggest devoting some time getting familiar with manual focus. The dial is accurate and top notch. I found, with the use of aids
such as this, any concerns about shutter lag or focus hunting are a thing of the past. OK it's not a Leica, but with practice, the response time will get you close.
4. check out
Carl's blog for more on things specific to the Foveon experience (Mods I hope this is OK, because it is a blog and not a participative competitor)
Yep, I have become one of them fan-boys!
Enjoy every second with your new friend. But again, be an active participant of every one of those seconds. If a camera could be called "Zen", then the DP would be a contender. Actually it sometimes reminds me of a Zen Master who liberally using his cane on students to remind them to be focussed and present