Sigma BF camera

[Stuart Richardson]

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On 8/27/2025 at 1:03 AM, kenf said:

Image quality was great, but the experience wasn’t - in my opinion the BF is at its best with Sigma’s I series AF lenses.  An EVF would make all the difference in the world using manual focus lenses on the BF.

Yes, this would be a frustration for me. Also, as I have gotten a bit older my eyes have finally started struggling a bit to focus closely when I have my contacts in. I always used to be able to hold LCD cameras pretty close to my face which made them fairly easy to use and read the text with. But now when I lift the camera to where it used to be comfortable, my eyes struggle to focus. If I am wearing glasses I can take them off and it is fine, but it is annoying to pop on and off glasses all the time. I simply don't struggle with this problem if there is an EVF. I know I need to get some readers. In any case, I always preferred a viewfinder over a screen, but now it is starting to be a requirement more than a preference. Otherwise, I find the BF very appealing. 

Edited August 30 by Stuart Richardson

[AdjusterBrett]

I'll offer an alternative, as I'm no purist - and just a weekend hack still learning - but I shoot 75% vintage and have been through many.

I have a TL2 and the stupid priced VisoFlex typ 020..  I do take a few manual focus lenses (in B&W with some of them - it has some magic sauce - can't explain).  HOWEVER - I bought the camera not as primary and it gets used when I want (have S1, SL, TL2, RX1, X-T4, and more).  I SWORE up and down I needed that EVF to frame AF - I didn't.  Do not get the wrong impression - I LOVE my TL2, but I love it for what it is.

Example 2:  I've had a Sony RX-1 forever - and with it too, I bought the stupid priced EVF.  Again, DAMMIT, I almost never use it.  This camera has survived some 30+ bodies in my venture and it will likely never leave.  Again, I know what it is and why I have it, and when to use it.  I have the original still - had both the r and rii, and returned them as they really didn't improve on the original (and cost a heck of a lot more).  No interest in the new one - way out of my price range.

Moral of the story - if I buy this one, I can claim to have learned my lesson as I cannot buy a STUPID priced EVF.

As I look at a new S1Rii or S5ii, this keeps popping up - why - because every review I've seen on it PRAISES its autofocus, they are literally surprised at how good it is...  I cannot say I've EVER seen a reviewer surprised at how good the Lumix or Leica AF was - EVER.  

I loved my Fuji's - the X-T series (dials, oh-wonderful dials) - yet when I grab vintage - its the SL - because I've learned that camera (muscle memory), and any adjustment is second nature.  I took the plunge and did the SL2S (and likely will again at some point) and found the EVF and output better on the original.  Specs do not tell the full story.

If I were to buy a BF - it would serve much like the TL2 does - NOT PRIMARY, and most certainly not my first choice if shooting manual (although the VisoFlex on the TL2 surprised me).  I can focus off the screen on the TL2 - but most of the time it's got either the 20-60 or the 50/1.8 on it and the SLOW AF works good enough.

The BF was NEVER intended to be YOUR camera if you are shooting vintage/manual, period.  Everyone seems to be splitting hairs over the screen - but I'll remind you that the beloved CL has a crap EVF and meager screen - at least to my eyes for manual focusing - and hence it went back and I kept the TL2.  I'll admit the CL is much easier vs the TL2/Viso - but it was nowhere as clear when I was trying to focus an FL 50 1/2 (my benchmark lens - pain in the butt to focus).  And although I love my SL's menu - it's simply no match for the TL2.  

At some point you have to appreciate this camera for what it is.  SIMPLE MINIMALISTIC EASY.  Slap a 45mm on it and go shoot, period.

The fact it appears to out-focus EVERY Lumix and Leica - I'd suggest it's impressive, and I cannot wait for the next go-around.

Postnote: I dream of ANYONE making a manual focus body only - Great EVF with crazy zoom and clarity, Low-light/High ISO performance, IBIS, and manual entry of the lens into the EXIF.  DREAM being the key word.  But this dream is for a specific purpose.  I would argue Sigma had a dream for a specific purpose - and I'd say it's accomplished.  The BF is clean, simple, easy - and looks good too.

[Boojay]

15 hours ago, AdjusterBrett said:

 

The fact it appears to out-focus EVERY Lumix and Leica - I'd suggest it's impressive, and I cannot wait for the next go-around.

 

Not sure if that's true, I think when reviewers comment on its autofocus they're probably comparing it to previous Sigma models, especially Fp FpL, whereas with SL2/3 and S5II and newer Lumix bodies they are expected to be able to perform close to Sony/Canon/Nikon level and have not quite achieved that yet it appears.  I think however if you shoot video (which I know nothing about), Lumix does a great job, autofocus and all.

Regardless of all that, don't buy a BF for the autofocus, good as it is, it's more about the UI and feel of the camera.   It makes me smile, Kazuto Yamaki had an idea and I applaud him for it, I find it a joy to use.   I was out with my three grandkids the other day, all runners, and as usual while I walked round the country park they did a 12k training run, passing me several times.  I had the Sigma 65 f/2 on the BF and just for fun I enabled AFC Tracking and Human detection, it did pretty well, quite surprised me. 

By the by, if your ten year old continues with her competitive swimming you might want to watch this, but think you'll have to learn to love AFC😁 on whatever camera. I think it's all about knowing your camera system and learning to set it up to suit.

 

 

[riffola]

I am super tempted to get the BF. I already have the Q3 43, so in the grand scheme of things it doesn’t make a lot of sense.

Does anyone here own a Sigma BF and a Q series camera? Would you recommend it?

Obviously I’d skip the 35mm and 50mm since that’s covered by the Q3 43, maybe get a wide angle or a 70mm lens to start.

[David Cantor]

This isn’t a comment about the merits of this camera but nobody at Sigma with a knowledge of British vernacular would have called it BF.

Edited September 14 by David Cantor

[AdjusterBrett]

On 9/10/2025 at 3:06 AM, Boojay said:

Not sure if that's true, I think when reviewers comment on its autofocus they're probably comparing it to previous Sigma models, especially Fp FpL, whereas with SL2/3 and S5II and newer Lumix bodies they are expected to be able to perform close to Sony/Canon/Nikon level and have not quite achieved that yet it appears.  I think however if you shoot video (which I know nothing about), Lumix does a great job, autofocus and all.

Regardless of all that, don't buy a BF for the autofocus, good as it is, it's more about the UI and feel of the camera.   It makes me smile, Kazuto Yamaki had an idea and I applaud him for it, I find it a joy to use.   I was out with my three grandkids the other day, all runners, and as usual while I walked round the country park they did a 12k training run, passing me several times.  I had the Sigma 65 f/2 on the BF and just for fun I enabled AFC Tracking and Human detection, it did pretty well, quite surprised me. 

By the by, if your ten year old continues with her competitive swimming you might want to watch this, but think you'll have to learn to love AFC😁 on whatever camera. I think it's all about knowing your camera system and learning to set it up to suit.

 

 

Loved the video - but with my herd (S1, SL, TL2), I think they are pretty limited, especially from the distance I’m shooting - that said, I will try and try again with them.  Hoping the future finds an L mount with better AF in these scenarios.  I’ve been down the Sony road before - but at this point the investment in the L mount keeps me away.  Really appreciate the video.

You mentioned the BF - and a decent hit rate - can you give any comparison to current SL or LUMIX?

[AdjusterBrett]

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On 9/14/2025 at 4:27 AM, David Cantor said:

This isn’t a comment about the merits of this camera but nobody at Sigma with a knowledge of British vernacular would have called it BF.

I would argue the vernacular utilized served ONLY sigma - anyone would be hard pressed to align that name with marketing.  As they continue to amaze with product releases - I think this was one of those products which was developed and produced to celebrate internally - if they only sold 1000, it would likely still be revered as a success - its kinda like their 14mm/ 1.4 - its hard to fault the lens, especially when it has no competitor.  The BF really has none either - perhaps an older T series - but similar to the BF - the T & TL series was a benchmark.  Love or hate the camera - it will be a reference in photo conversations for a long time to come.

[Boojay]

2 hours ago, AdjusterBrett said:

Loved the video - but with my herd (S1, SL, TL2), I think they are pretty limited, especially from the distance I’m shooting - that said, I will try and try again with them.  Hoping the future finds an L mount with better AF in these scenarios.  I’ve been down the Sony road before - but at this point the investment in the L mount keeps me away.  Really appreciate the video.

You mentioned the BF - and a decent hit rate - can you give any comparison to current SL or LUMIX?

Not able to really compare, if you want the comparison to be for sports type shooting because I simply wouldn't use the BF for that scenario, I have my Sony kit for that,  and no longer have the lenses to put it to the test.   I did use the SL2 and S52 for some time and found using the Sigma 70-200 2.8 on either body gave best results for me,  think I've probably posted samples from both bodies on here at times, (one below I think was SL2 + 70-200 Sigma).   I honestly can't imagine the BF to do better though, as much as I like it, just not the right tool.

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