Sigma fp – World's smallest & lightest mirrorless full frame camera

[frame-it]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

https://www.sigma-global.com/en/news/2020/03/02/2581/

[Advertisement]

The Leica Q3 is available for pre-order at B&H Photo Video and Adorama

[Archiver]

That's an impressive firmware update. 120p in CinemaDNG raw, nice. It will chew up space like no one's business, but for limited applications, there's not much like that. The Blackmagic cameras might have braw, but they aren't full frame. Imagine silky smooth slow motion of white feathers falling against an inky black backdrop, the leaves illuminated on the edges by soft spots out of shot, and the depth of field being shallow enough to blur out the ends of the feathers. Sigma fp will be able to do this.

[dkCambridgeshire]

On 12/5/2019 at 2:22 PM, Alan Friedman said:

The viewfinder is very nicely implemented... more suitable for a mounted shoot in photo or cine mode, but a handy accessory to own, I felt and reasonably priced for the quality - 3/4 the cost of the Leica M-L lens adapter. As it comes out of the box, the Sigma FP is a very light and compact platform for M lenses and works nicely also with the lighter R lenses. I don't own any of the SL auto-focus lenses but I would think the advantages of the FP began to fade as the lens grows in size and weight. 

To my mind, what would make the FP a killer would be a bright OLED rear screen. 

Welcome, dear visitor! As registered member you'd see an image here…

Simply register for free here – We are always happy to welcome new members!

Zacuto offer a slightly more expensive 2.5x mag finder for the fp : https://cvp.com/product/zacuto-z-find-sfp-sigma-fp-z-finder   

I use Zacuto 2.5x mag Z finders on my Nikon 1 J5 cameras and have just adapted a Zacuto finder to my Leica X1 - to enable WYSIWYG close up images. I used a Zacuto 3" self adhesive snap fit mounting frame on my X1  

Zacuto Z finders can be purchased secondhand for less than $100 . Both mine were sourced on Ebay - one complete with  lanyard, mounting frame, and Z bands for just £25 . But prospective buyers of s/h Zacuto finders should study the different types available. Some are not suitable .

The self adhesive Zacuto 3.2" snap fit mounting frame can be purchased separately https://cvp.com/product/zacuto_usa_z-frm32  ... couple it to a s/h Zacuto Z finder for a budget price eye level WYSIWYG 2.5x magnified fp monitor live view . I have not tried this on a Sigma fp myself so it might not work ... but it's worth a try ... at your own risk.

The aforementioned Zacuto fp finder uses a Zacuto 3.2" mounting frame.

dunk  

 

 

Edited March 14, 2020 by dkCambridgeshire

[verwackelt]

A viewfinder that is turned 90 degrees like a waist levelfinder would be very useful.
Or a attachable tilt-EVF like on the GFX Fuji series…

[o2mpx]

Seems an active topic so will add 2 cents after owning a FP for 2 weeks. Purpose was to have a full frame 2nd body to SL. Used the Panasonic 16-35 mainly during a 2 weeks tour in Egypt. 
 

Although build quality is good, one of the rubber flaps covering the bottom port, can’t remember if it was the usb-c, didn’t seal around the bottom edge well, and kept flapping open when pulled in/out of the camera bag. 
 

The view screen really is unusable under the sun, and it wasn’t particularly hot, around 80 degree weather. Perhaps the viewfinder will solve the problem, but defeats the purpose of having a small camera. 
 

Upon return from the trip, ended up selling the camera. If Sigma ever comes out win a small viewfinder, may attempt again. 
 

 

[Kyros Moutsouris]

On 5/25/2020 at 12:09 AM, o2mpx said:

Seems an active topic so will add 2 cents after owning a FP for 2 weeks. Purpose was to have a full frame 2nd body to SL. Used the Panasonic 16-35 mainly during a 2 weeks tour in Egypt. 
 

Although build quality is good, one of the rubber flaps covering the bottom port, can’t remember if it was the usb-c, didn’t seal around the bottom edge well, and kept flapping open when pulled in/out of the camera bag. 
 

The view screen really is unusable under the sun, and it wasn’t particularly hot, around 80 degree weather. Perhaps the viewfinder will solve the problem, but defeats the purpose of having a small camera. 
 

Upon return from the trip, ended up selling the camera. If Sigma ever comes out win a small viewfinder, may attempt again. 
 

 

care to share any results?

Edited May 29, 2020 by Kyros Moutsouris

[david strachan]

Advertisement (gone after registration)

I don't know why the manufacturers still strive to make very small cameras...especially with all the buttons rockers and wheels.  It just gets hard to use the camera, being so small.  It's not as if one can just slip it in your pocket.

I like a camera one can hold, and hold steady.

...

[oldwino]

13 hours ago, david strachan said:

I don't know why the manufacturers still strive to make very small cameras...especially with all the buttons rockers and wheels.  It just gets hard to use the camera, being so small.  It's not as if one can just slip it in your pocket.

I like a camera one can hold, and hold steady.

...

 

This is why a camera like the TL(2) was so interesting. As an attempt to make a small camera without all the buttons and wheels to (accidentally) push and turn, I would say it was successful. Unfortunately, they forgot the built in EVF, so the camera sort of became the M5 of the Leica digital camera world.

[tom.w.bn]

vor 2 Stunden schrieb oldwino:

This is why a camera like the TL(2) was so interesting. As an attempt to make a small camera without all the buttons and wheels to (accidentally) push and turn, I would say it was successful. Unfortunately, they forgot the built in EVF, so the camera sort of became the M5 of the Leica digital camera world.

You probably mean a Leica MD-2? The M5 has a viewfinder.

[oldwino]

9 hours ago, tom.w.bn said:

You probably mean a Leica MD-2? The M5 has a viewfinder.

No, I meant the M5 in the sense that it was a little too far ahead of its time, a little too “different” for the conservative Leica user. Excellent camera, but somehow not considered a real Leica. 

[sobkrates]

Firmware 2.0 is ready and brings a lot of new things:

Zitat

Benefits of this firmware update（Ver.2.00）

Newly introduced functionality

• Supports cinemagraphs creation and playback.
• CinemaDNG footages playback
• Supports still capture during live view and movie shooting in Cine mode
• Supports still image capture from movie files (CinemaDNG, MOV) shot with the SIGMA fp
• Supports HDR in movie shooting
• Supports still and movie shooting in Director's Viewfinder mode
• Supports DCI 4K 12bit / HDMI Raw output
• Supports compressed raw recording with ATOMOS and Blackmagic Design external recorders^※1
• Camera movement control is compatible with ZHIYUN gimbals.^※1
• Instruction message appears when attempting to use greyed-out items in SHOOT menu
• Supports camera control in USB mode^※2

*1 Firmware update of the corresponding device is required.*2 The SDK (Software Development Kit) for controlling the camera is scheduled to be available in early July.

Enhanced/modified functionality

• Supports Dual Base ISO (ISO100 and 3200)
• Improved AF performance
• Improved recording stability with recording media
• Improved image quality
• Supports CinemaDNG 25 and 29.97 fps (UHD 12bit) shooting
• Supports CinemaDNG 100 fps (FHD 12bit) shooting
• Supports CinemaDNG 100 and 119.88 fps (FHD 8bit and 10bit) shooting
• “OFF” option available in Color mode
• Exposure adjustment available in QS (Quick Set)
• Tone control setting “Auto (Mild / Strong)” available during movie shooting
• Supports USB Video Class (UVC) setting adjustments while the fp is connected to USB
• Supports time code generation
• Compatible with BWF format
• Supports file size changes at aspect ratio 7:6
• Supports changes of shutter sound effect

Bug corrections

• The phenomenon of flickering in dark areas in video footages has been corrected
• Bugs in USB Video Class (UVC) setting when connected to USB or during movie shooting have been corrected
• Improved accuracy with evaluative exposure metering
• Other minor bugs have been corrected

 

[dkCambridgeshire]

I considered buying an FP but the 'electronic shutter only' and thus potential banding deems the camera unsuitable for city nocturnal imaging. I learnt to 'turn off' the electronic shutter on my Sony A7S / A7SII when photographing e.g. London's West End at night. One reason I almost bought an FP is that I already have two 2.5x magnification Zacuto Z finders and spare mounting frames which will fit the camera's monitor ... the Z finders can often be sourced secondhand on eBay for less than £50.  Another reason I almost bought an FP was for digiscope use on a high power binocular ... the FP camera is light enough to 'hang' on a bino eyepiece via a revolving T2 adapter.  The FP would also be suitable for astrophotography hitched up to an astro telescope. 

dunk 

[Lonescapes]

Loving the fp--it's probably going to be my new home for a while. Shooting it with Sigma's 45mm f/2.8 when I need autofocus (which is less often than you'd think, even in sunny conditions), and a couple favorite Voigtlander lenses when I don't: the 40mm 1.4, and a Nikon S-mount version of the 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar.

For reportage, it's hard to beat the size, and I've been shooting with electronic shutter in order to stay discreet for a while now. I got used to shooting off a rear LCD when I owned the original Sony RX1. This (obviously) focuses faster, and has a better screen, so I'm not bothered by the lack of EVF, or the less-than-state-of-the-art autofocus.

I do hope that Sigma will hurry up with their promise to release a few more compact primes. Anything in the 21-28mm range would be great. Missing a wide-angle autofocus prime is occasionally a problem.

Will post results when I have some interesting shots to share.

[bags27]

I've been curious about this camera, since I saw the early photos which were quite good indeed.

I've been following an fp user on Flickr, who uses M 35 and 50 lenses on it quite effectively. He says the very weird looking EVF is amazing to look through.

[Chris W]

Recent good news is that Capture One Pro 20 now supports Sigma FP.

[Ko.Fe.]

On 7/6/2020 at 7:48 PM, Lonescapes said:

Loving the fp--it's probably going to be my new home for a while. Shooting it with Sigma's 45mm f/2.8 when I need autofocus (which is less often than you'd think, even in sunny conditions), and a couple favorite Voigtlander lenses when I don't: the 40mm 1.4, and a Nikon S-mount version of the 28mm f/3.5 Color Skopar.

For reportage, it's hard to beat the size, and I've been shooting with electronic shutter in order to stay discreet for a while now. I got used to shooting off a rear LCD when I owned the original Sony RX1. This (obviously) focuses faster, and has a better screen, so I'm not bothered by the lack of EVF, or the less-than-state-of-the-art autofocus.

I do hope that Sigma will hurry up with their promise to release a few more compact primes. Anything in the 21-28mm range would be great. Missing a wide-angle autofocus prime is occasionally a problem.

Will post results when I have some interesting shots to share.

I wouldn't worry about shutter noise for the reportage. You have to be well in and present for good reportage picture. Front line as they say. With well promoted gesture of the tourist taking pictures via the screen :). Nothing discrete in this. 

[LocalHero1953]

On 8/21/2020 at 4:04 PM, Ko.Fe. said:

I wouldn't worry about shutter noise for the reportage. You have to be well in and present for good reportage picture. Front line as they say. With well promoted gesture of the tourist taking pictures via the screen :). Nothing discrete in this. 

Actually, using a camera in way that makes it look like you're using a smartphone DOES make you less visible in some scenarios. There's nothing so intimidating as pulling out a black traditional-camera-shaped camera to make people take notice. So my 5 year old granddaughter tells me - her mother takes lots of photos of her with a phone, but she hides when I get out my Leica.

Edited August 23, 2020 by LocalHero1953

[chasdfg]

I just picked this camera up in view of replacing my SL as my 2nd body (primarily just for M glass). While the SL ticks most boxes for an Evf-M, I admittedly haven't been using it as much as I would like because of its heft. I would say inevitably I prefer the Leica menus and aesthetic, but once you set the fp up its a non issue. 

Purely from a casual photographer point of view, taking pictures in a day to day scenario like what I'd do with an M, the sigma Fp is certainly a very nice body. The flaws pointed out about the lack of mechanical shutter and how this camera isn't for sports or action is not a problem if one uses it for whatever one would use an M for. Granted I haven't shot with it for long, but rolling shutter and shooting in artificial lighting isn't much of an issue for my casual use. I also don't find shutter lag to be a problem. 

The thing i miss most is the evf and I've found myself lifting the camera up to my eye out of habit a few times. But otherwise the punch-in focus works like it does on the SL and the camera is the same weight as the SL body alone when I have the fp + M to L adapter and a 35FLE. I'm not a pixelpeeper so my M glass appears to perform OK despite the sensor stack not being optimised for M glass (28cron v2 and 35FLE were tested so far, my other glass is 50mm and above and I haven't tried them out). It is a little front heavy with the 35FLE and 28cron v2 on and is probably most balanced with those smaller DN DG lenses like the 45mm 2.8 or a 35mm summilux pre-asph sized M lens with adapter. I've resorted to resting the camera with its base against my body rather than LCD against my body when I sling the camera cross-bodied so it swings about less when I walk (though this is not the best solution).

To be honest, there's a lot of criticism about this camera for stills photographers but I'm not really sure where this is coming from. It is certainly not the best camera for critical work and it isn't an all rounder for all types of photography and definitely not a camera for someone who is just starting out (e.g electronic shutter strange as you don't know when you've taken a photo if you turn sounds off). However for family snaps, casual street photography, cityscapes and landscapes, basically most casual daily photos, this camera works just fine, with fantastic image quality to boot. Maybe this is a niche use for the camera - I admit for first time buyers in the mirrorless market there are more worthwhile cameras around to do all kinds of photography and not many people would buy it just to adapt M glass. 

Edited August 23, 2020 by chasdfg

[Advertisement]

Hallo,

Look here: Leica L-Mount

[Chris W]

I am finding it to be an excellent camera. Easy to use and the picture quality is outstanding. I have compared it to my Leica Q on the same subject and it's not visibly different.

I have to use the Sigma loupe, which doubles the size of the camera...annoying. I guess I will eventually buy an autofocus lens so I can use the camera with it's back screen more often.

The video quality by the way is superb.

A lot of the stills criticisms are practical from what I've seen - L type lenses much bigger and heavier than the camera itself, only one SD card slot, no viewfinder, slow autofocus etc...

 

[LocalHero1953]

Having had this camera since launch, I have come to the conclusion that the main issue with it is the lack of a practical EVF - even the add-on for the M240 would be better than Sigma's frankenfinder. The other main issue - electronic shutter - I can live with for most uses.

Menus are a personal matter, but I find Sigma's better than Leica's: they had an icon-based status screen before Leica, and you can customise Sigma's, but not Leica's. Sigma's menus also adopt the principle of no more items per page than a screen will hold - no need to scroll beyond the bottom to see if there are any other items.

I use the fp a lot these days, on a tripod where the EVF isn't needed, making videos for youtube in lockdown. I didn't get it mainly for stills and now don't use it at all for stills. I still think it is a great and imaginative piece of kit.