Review: Sigma DP3M and Marumi +5

So far, I have only been writing reviews on individual lenses and cameras. With the Marumi DHG 200 on top, the DP3M transforms from a tool for portraits, details and close-ups into a genuine macro-camera, so that the achromatic lens and the Merrill now need to be viewed as an entirely new whole. On this occasion, I will not go into the DP3M without the Marumi, as I have already done that in my review of the camera. This is about macro, and with an achromatic lens, at that.

The DP3M without additional lens reaches an image ratio of 1:3. While this is sufficient for bigger butterflies, it is not enough to get medium-sized spiders, wasps, bees and small bugs (such as ladybugs) onto the sensor in sufficient size.

With the Marumi on top, image ratio increases to 1:1.6. This way, results can be obtained that get close to those of a DSLR camera with a macro lens. What does the difference between 1:3 and 1:1.6 look like exactly? Let’s take a 10 cent coin as an example:

It has to be mentioned that neither the DP3M with the Marumi, nor any DSLR with macro lens and image ratio of 1:1 can in fact project small spiders (such as jumping spiders) or ladybugs so that they fill the entire frame. For such scenes, more inconvenient, expensive and bigger solutions are needed. Close-up rings and reverse mounted lenses are some of these solutions, although certain camera features and light gathering power are sacrificed. None of this can, however, measure up to the simplicity, the small size and the low weight of the DP3M with the Marumi. The Merrill and the Marumi can be taken anywhere at any time, and can be pulled out of your jacket pocket or photo pouch in a matter of seconds as soon as you happen to notice an interesting beetle. You can also shoot from the hand, even though this is naturally more difficult and leads to a high rejection rate. It is substantially better if you lean your hands or the camera against something or use a tripod. I always shift to manual focus, turn on the screen magnifier, pre-focus on minimum focus distance and move the camera back and forth until the sharpness is where it should be. As I never only venture out on pure macro-tours, I leave my tripod at home. It’s big, heavy and slows you down far too much, so that it reduces the entire concept of macro photography with a small, light compact camera to absurdity. I prefer taking several shots of the same scene to be on the safe side, and later delete the badly focused on my PC.

Despite my rather unusual workflow, the results are impressive, I think. 🙂

Bottom line:

The Marumi is a small and affordable add-on, which transforms the DP3M into a more capable macro-camera. The outstanding image quality of the camera is, as far as I can tell, not negatively influenced by the achromatic lens. At a price of not even €50 (that’s what the Marumi +5 with 52mm filter thread cost me), one simply can’t go wrong with this. 🙂

(Most of the following photos are available in full resolution on flickr)

You can find additional DP3M photos on Pinterest or on Flickr-Album.

• Category: Compact Camera, My Equipment, Photo series, Review, Sigma
• Tag: Achromatic lens, close-up lens, Dp3m, images, macro, Marumi +5, Marumi DHG 200, photography, photos, review, Sigma DP3 Merrill, Sigma DP3m, test, user report

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