Digital BW, The Print

Ask any professional videographer whether or not they would prefer a 3-chip 
or single chip camera. They will look at funny for asking a question with an 
obvious answer.

The only 3-chip camera ever produced (all were hand built) with high enough 
resolution for still photography (yes I had the Sony, but they cheated) is the 
prism Foveon. Price has always bee the main barier.

Carver Mead, it's founder created the gallium arsenide family of chips, VLSI, 
which makes ALL modern computers possible, the touch pads on our laptops, and 
most of electronics for cell phones. He is a pioneer of neural networks and 
developed an artificial cochlea and retina, which the original Foveon camera 
was based on. As a beta tester and owner of that camera for over 4.5 years, I 
can attest to it's quality. I sold all my Hasselblads in 1999 because of it and 
became totally filmless in my studio, retaining only my 4x5 Sinar for film 
(used once in 5 years). The Foveon has never produced moire under any 
circumstance of tens of thousands of images, near or far.

The X3 chip in the Sigma retains all the same principles (no moire and full 
color sampling at every pixel). I co-incidentally proposed that they develop it 
based on the principles of quantum effeciciency and penetration depth of 
silicon. The X3 chip in the SD9 (now SD 10) costs less than $1,000 vs. $30,000 for 
the original Foveon. I have shot them side by side on my torture test and 
they look uncannily similar. Different animals, same principles.

I have a 13x19 Black and White quad print from an SD-9 that looks like it was 
made from 4x5 Tech Pan. I also have 24x36" prints in color that are amazing 
as well. Most of my hard core darkroom friends don't believe the detail is from 
that chip. So, that camera is excellent for Black and white work and is 
sharper than the 10D and the Fuji S2 (I own 2 each of both).

It took 20 years for everyone to accept Carver Mead's ideas and realize his 
genius. Could it be he will be proven correct in 15 years?

I can attest first had as to the superiority of images with no color 
interpolation (I also have a high res. 4x5 Scan back).

However, for most images, the 10d and S2 are simply good enough. I earn a 
good living from both and the Foveon (depends on the job). Once you have tried a 
Sigma, you will not be dissapointed in image quality. Incredible colors, 
detail, and great B&W. Let me know if you need proof. But that being said, you need 
to shoot one and try for yourself. Heck, buy one with a 50mm Macro and sell 
it on Ebay if you don't agree. The loss is cheap rent for a month.

Claude

I have sold many large images from the Foveon and many from a loaner SD-9, so 
I can attest to their quality.


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