NO FP, NO COMMENT

Sigma surprised us all last year by unveiling an L-Mount camera body, the fp, to complement its fast-growing range of L-Mount lenses. In advance of a showcase at The Photography Show in Birmingham, BPI News takes it for a test drive to find out why you should be adding the Sigma fp to stock…

The world’s smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless is quite the pitch from Sigma, but that’s just what it has delivered in its inaugural fp, a camera aimed just as much at cinematographers as photographers. Indeed, one of its most prominent topplate controls lets the user flick between 24 megapixel stills and 4K video at either 24, 25 or 30fps – here referred to as ‘cine’ on the unit itself – at will.

Aiding compactness – it’s roughly the size of a jumbo matchbox – there’s no built-in viewfinder or hot shoe, but the former is available to buy separately while the latter is provided in the box. Otherwise, if you do want to keep the die-cast aluminium body stripped back to the bare essentials, the large rear screen can be used for capture and review.

One camera, two purposes: the Sigma fp is designed to appeal to photographers and cinematographers alike

SIMPLE TO USE, YET FEATURE PACKED

We were provided with the newlyreleased 50mm f/1.4 Sigma L-Mount lens to go with the camera, making it a little front-heavy in combination, but enticingly capable with it. Adjust the manual focus ring and a central portion of the image is enlarged on the camera’s backplate LCD as a means of ensuring critical sharpness, with the wide maximum aperture ensuring attractive background blur. The camera is pleasingly simple to use, with top-plate buttons both large and clearly marked despite the camera’s relatively compact proportions. Smaller backplate buttons are arranged around the LCD in a conveniently ergonomic L-shape, where they can be accessed with a thumb press.

The fp has a 3.15-inch LCD displaying 100% of the image, and although this screen doesn’t flip up to allow medium format-style waist-level shooting, it feels as though Sigma has deliberately concentrated on what matters most and kept the camera free from too many distracting bells and whistles. On-screen menus are clear and easy to access, and the battery and SD card share a compartment at the camera’s base, protected from accidental opening by a latchkey operation.

Sharp shooter: The fast f/1.4 aperture 50mm lens used with the fp delivered detailed subjects and attractively defocused backgrounds

Sigma has clearly focused on achieving industry-leading image quality and in this regard the fp certainly doesn’t disappoint. The combination of lens and sensor not only provides critical sharpness where it counts but it gives pleasingly creamy bokeh and natural and realistic colour rendition. Manual colour adjustment is possible in-camera should users want to deliver a saturation boost. Again, this is a straightforward operation, with a ‘color’ button provided near the base.

This is a compact and accessible yet innovative and highly capable camera from Sigma, with the obvious advantage that users can attach not only Sigma’s own lenses but also optics from Leica and Panasonic thanks to the shared L-mount. With an SRP of £1,999 for the camera and £750 for the lens we used, speak to your local Sigma rep for more, or swing by the manufacturer’s stand at The Photography Show in Birmingham in March (Stand F51).

www.sigma-imaging-uk.com