Sigma fp - Anyone using (or tried) it as their primary camera?
I've let my kit creep up in size again so looking for a smaller solution, again. Curious if anyone has made the switch to the Fp and are there any things to really be aware of as potential gotchas. There's not a ton of stuff online about it, so figured it might be worth a thread here.
Where I am at as far as pros/cons (for me):
Pros:
- Size
- Modular system
- FF sensor (IQ, DR, etc)
- Thin sensor stack (m and vintage glass)
On the fence:
- Viewfinder situation
- Battery
Cons:
- No IBIS (Big miss on this camera imo)
I know AF won't match my Sony, but that's not really an issue for me as I'll be primarily using manual glass and/or static subjects.
Anyone using (or used) the Fp and have feedback on it?
I thought about it but was considering it more with the 45 as a one lens solution. No flip out screen or finder is big for me, at which point I realized the RX1 is about 700 used and slower AF but video features aside kinda does the same thing.
There are a couple good threads on the fp here. I believe @juha kannisto@ and @zhangue and @adamdewilde@@ (sp?) have been using it a lot.
I'm extremely tempted and will definitely get one when used prices fall enough.
I have some misgivings about it, as well as some reasons it would be perfect for me.
Negatives first:
*no evf / no tilt screen. I shoot a lot at waist-level and shoot a lot of small toddlers, so it would help. My vision isn't great, so using MF lenses at arm's length and trying to get critical focus could be difficult. Also, I just like shooting with the camera up to my eye a lot.
... that's about it for outright negatives. Sigma will hopefully release a smaller aux EVF.
Some "could go either way" items:
*no IBIS. Generally don't care and have done fine without it for years now, but it would be handy for video.
*no AA filter. A plus for stills, a minus for video. Kinda a confusing decision, because the camera seems more geared towards video, but hey.
*no log format (yet). Again, not a huge deal, because I make my own LUTs and like to try to customize something in-camera so I can use non-graded stuff if I want, but I'd have to actually see the existing profiles in real-world use to evaluate.
*no mechanical shutter. I use my a7S 99% this way anyway, but banding is a concern in artificial light.
*limited compact lenses for L system. Which is a good segway to...
Positives:
*45/2.8 is AMAZING. I own the Sony version and will swap for L if (and when) I pick up the fp.
*size is great. I use all small lenses, mostly M mount, so it would be perfect for that.
*24mp is an excellent compromise for IQ and file size / ease of editing.
*video looks really good.
*low light looks really good.
Donzo98 wrote:
I agree totally... no IBIS is a deal breaker for me.
I wouldn't call it a deal breaker for me, just really wish it was there. Definitely helps my keeper rate.
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AdaptedLenses wrote:
I thought about it but was considering it more with the 45 as a one lens solution. No flip out screen or finder is big for me, at which point I realized the RX1 is about 700 used and slower AF but video features aside kinda does the same thing.
I've thought about an RX1 as well, but those have their own unique challenges/compromises too.
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imagesfromobjects wrote:
There are a couple good threads on the fp here. I believe @juha kannisto@@ and @zhangue and @adamdewilde@@@ (sp?) have been using it a lot.
I'm extremely tempted and will definitely get one when used prices fall enough.
I have some misgivings about it, as well as some reasons it would be perfect for me.
Negatives first:
*no evf / no tilt screen. I shoot a lot at waist-level and shoot a lot of small toddlers, so it would help. My vision isn't great, so using MF lenses at arm's length and trying to get critical focus could be difficult. Also, I just like shooting with the camera up to my eye a lot.
... that's about it for outright negatives. Sigma will hopefully release a smaller aux EVF.
Some "could go either way" items:
*no IBIS. Generally don't care and have done fine without it for years now, but it would be handy for video.
*no AA filter. A plus for stills, a minus for video. Kinda a confusing decision, because the camera seems more geared towards video, but hey.
*no log format (yet). Again, not a huge deal, because I make my own LUTs and like to try to customize something in-camera so I can use non-graded stuff if I want, but I'd have to actually see the existing profiles in real-world use to evaluate.
*no mechanical shutter. I use my a7S 99% this way anyway, but banding is a concern in artificial light.
*limited compact lenses for L system. Which is a good segway to...
Positives:
*45/2.8 is AMAZING. I own the Sony version and will swap for L if (and when) I pick up the fp.
*size is great. I use all small lenses, mostly M mount, so it would be perfect for that.
*24mp is an excellent compromise for IQ and file size / ease of editing.
*video looks really good.
*low light looks really good.
... ...Show more →
I've got the Sony version of the 45 too and it's probably the main thing that has me looking at the Fp. I love it, and the thought of using it with a smaller body is extremely enticing.
I'd also look to use the Fp with the 45 or M-Mount lenses.
If I don't keep my kit small, I don't bring it. Which is kind of where I am back to with my Sony. I can shrink my Sony kit back down and maybe that's what I should do... I always get back to the same place with Sony though. I just don't find them inspiring, so I look to maximize the IQ (aka my kit gets fat). I really like some of the CV and Zeiss glass for the system though, which keeps bringing me back.
The Fp would let me use the M-Mount versions of the glass I enjoy with the smaller body that I'd prefer. I guess I just need to try an Fp to see if I can put up with it's quirks.
Yeah, before I'm ready to buy one, I'm definitely going to rent one for a week or so. I have my own quirks, so I know I'll need to actually shoot it before I commit. I may hate it, but I feel the way you do re: size and user experience with Sony.
rps_23 wrote: Donzo98 wroteI agree totally... no IBIS is a deal breaker for me.I wouldn't call it a deal breaker for me, just really wish it was there. Definitely helps my keeper rate.
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AdaptedLenses wroteI thought about it but was considering it more with the 45 as a one lens solution. No flip out screen or finder is big for me, at which point I realized the RX1 is about 700 used and slower AF but video features aside kinda does the same thing.I've thought about an RX1 as well, but those have their own unique challenges/compromises too.
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imagesfromobjects wroteThere are a couple good threads on the fp here. I believe @juha kannisto@@@ and @zhangue and @adamdewilde@@@@ (sp?) have been using it a lot.
I'm extremely tempted and will definitely get one when used prices fall enough.
I have some misgivings about it, as well as some reasons it would be perfect for me.
Negatives first:
*no evf / no tilt screen. I shoot a lot at waist-level and shoot a lot of small toddlers, so it would help. My vision isn't great, so using MF lenses at arm's length and trying to get critical focus could be difficult. Also, I just like shooting with the camera up to my eye a lot.
... that's about it for outright negatives. Sigma will hopefully release a smaller aux EVF.
Some "could go either way" items:
*no IBIS. Generally don't care and have done fine without it for years now, but it would be handy for video.
*no AA filter. A plus for stills, a minus for video. Kinda a confusing decision, because the camera seems more geared towards video, but hey.
*no log format (yet). Again, not a huge deal, because I make my own LUTs and like to try to customize something in-camera so I can use non-graded stuff if I want, but I'd have to actually see the existing profiles in real-world use to evaluate.
*no mechanical shutter. I use my a7S 99% this way anyway, but banding is a concern in artificial light.
*limited compact lenses for L system. Which is a good segway to...
Positives:
*45/2.8 is AMAZING. I own the Sony version and will swap for L if (and when) I pick up the fp.
*size is great. I use all small lenses, mostly M mount, so it would be perfect for that.
*24mp is an excellent compromise for IQ and file size / ease of editing.
*video looks really good.
*low light looks really good.
...I've got the Sony version of the 45 too and it's probably the main thing that has me looking at the Fp. I love it, and the thought of using it with a smaller body is extremely enticing.
I'd also look to use the Fp with the 45 or M-Mount lenses.
If I don't keep my kit small, I don't bring it. Which is kind of where I am back to with my Sony. I can shrink my Sony kit back down and maybe that's what I should do... I always get back to the same place with Sony though. I just don't find them inspiring, so I look to maximize the IQ (aka my kit gets fat). I really like some of the CV and Zeiss glass for the system though, which keeps bringing me back.
The Fp would let me use the M-Mount versions of the glass I enjoy with the smaller body that I'd prefer. I guess I just need to try an Fp to see if I can put up with it's quirks. ...Show more →
Although I don't do video -- at all -- thanks to its grip-less form-factor, this camera is potentially perfect for use as a "digital back" on my FrankenKameras.
The reason I use the qualifier "potentially" is because 24 MP really isn't enough for my purposes and I have yet to see any analysis of its noise level and exposure range when used for the type of low-light, long-exposure-at-base-ISO, nighttime photography that is my focus. (If anyone can point me at a source for a dark-frame file taken at ISO 100 using a 30-second exposure, that will be greatly appreciated!)
At some point, I suppose I will rent one for a week -- Lensrentals has them available at $114 plus shipping, which seems reasonable enough -- and put it through its paces, just because I'm seriously curious about how it performs.
Sorry a bit off track, but are you still using the A7S with the 45? Waiting on my A7S to come in, was going to pick that lens up...
imagesfromobjects wrote:
There are a couple good threads on the fp here. I believe @juha kannisto@@ and @zhangue and @adamdewilde@@@ (sp?) have been using it a lot.
I'm extremely tempted and will definitely get one when used prices fall enough.
I have some misgivings about it, as well as some reasons it would be perfect for me.
Negatives first:
*no evf / no tilt screen. I shoot a lot at waist-level and shoot a lot of small toddlers, so it would help. My vision isn't great, so using MF lenses at arm's length and trying to get critical focus could be difficult. Also, I just like shooting with the camera up to my eye a lot.
... that's about it for outright negatives. Sigma will hopefully release a smaller aux EVF.
Some "could go either way" items:
*no IBIS. Generally don't care and have done fine without it for years now, but it would be handy for video.
*no AA filter. A plus for stills, a minus for video. Kinda a confusing decision, because the camera seems more geared towards video, but hey.
*no log format (yet). Again, not a huge deal, because I make my own LUTs and like to try to customize something in-camera so I can use non-graded stuff if I want, but I'd have to actually see the existing profiles in real-world use to evaluate.
*no mechanical shutter. I use my a7S 99% this way anyway, but banding is a concern in artificial light.
*limited compact lenses for L system. Which is a good segway to...
Positives:
*45/2.8 is AMAZING. I own the Sony version and will swap for L if (and when) I pick up the fp.
*size is great. I use all small lenses, mostly M mount, so it would be perfect for that.
*24mp is an excellent compromise for IQ and file size / ease of editing.
*video looks really good.
*low light looks really good.
Been pretty much my only digital camera for a few years now. I have very few complaints about it, it's been pretty great. The 45/2.8 seems to work well enough in AF-S with new firmware. In crappy light, manual focus may be a better choice, but the lens is superb, so I'm willing to put up with the quirks and play to its strengths. Enjoy the new camera!
AdaptedLenses wrote:
Sorry a bit off track, but are you still using the A7S with the 45? Waiting on my A7S to come in, was going to pick that lens up...
imagesfromobjects wroteThere are a couple good threads on the fp here. I believe @juha kannisto@@@ and @zhangue and @adamdewilde@@@@ (sp?) have been using it a lot.
I'm extremely tempted and will definitely get one when used prices fall enough.
I have some misgivings about it, as well as some reasons it would be perfect for me.
Negatives first:
*no evf / no tilt screen. I shoot a lot at waist-level and shoot a lot of small toddlers, so it would help. My vision isn't great, so using MF lenses at arm's length and trying to get critical focus could be difficult. Also, I just like shooting with the camera up to my eye a lot.
... that's about it for outright negatives. Sigma will hopefully release a smaller aux EVF.
Some "could go either way" items:
*no IBIS. Generally don't care and have done fine without it for years now, but it would be handy for video.
*no AA filter. A plus for stills, a minus for video. Kinda a confusing decision, because the camera seems more geared towards video, but hey.
*no log format (yet). Again, not a huge deal, because I make my own LUTs and like to try to customize something in-camera so I can use non-graded stuff if I want, but I'd have to actually see the existing profiles in real-world use to evaluate.
*no mechanical shutter. I use my a7S 99% this way anyway, but banding is a concern in artificial light.
*limited compact lenses for L system. Which is a good segway to...
Positives:
*45/2.8 is AMAZING. I own the Sony version and will swap for L if (and when) I pick up the fp.
*size is great. I use all small lenses, mostly M mount, so it would be perfect for that.
*24mp is an excellent compromise for IQ and file size / ease of editing.
*video looks really good.
*low light looks really good.
Biggest issue for me is artificial light.. I ONLY use this camera in daylight. I bought the LVF-11 or whatever it's called and I liked it as I think an EVF type situation is nice to have, but sold it as it was really big and I would otherwise just use my S1. A small actual EVF is needed for this camera to be worthwhile as well as a actual shutter. There's no real way to use it in artificial light without some issue.
The cool factor of the FP is being able to grab it along with say the 45 dn dg and just have fun taking random snaps with a small good cam around town in good natural light. I've also attached the SL f/2 primes as they're not so bad on the FP.. I hold onto the lens as my "ergonomic" point of contact with the camera which allows my left hand a workout for once. I used it a full day at an outdoor concert over two days and loved the results until the sun went down.
Battery is really ok... It's as good as the Panasonic S1 (though I suppose IBIS takes a lot of juice).
Just an FYI my S1 is barely usable in silent shutter mode.. Actually I dare say it's unusable in silent shutter mode for the way I shoot. Thus far I've barely noticed any issues with the Sigma. I think they somehow managed to squeeze a better readout time. Maybe the sensor could handle it and the S1 is just a bit crippled somehow?
Anyway you will see it, but it doesn't bother me for the way I shoot like the S1 does in silent shutter.
I am using one, mostly testing shots with M lenses... I found I need at least 1/100 sec min shutter to shoot due to no evf and IBIS. The dynamic range and high iso is great, using upto ISO 16000. It is most probably the same sensor as the A7 II... It is not optimized for M lenses... The lcd with m lenses in the sunny condition is very hard to see, maybe more due to vignetting from the lenses. Mostly the lenses work with A7 work with FP eg new CV 21mm 3.5.
I'm enjoying my Sigma fp a lot, using it as an alternative to my Sony A9. I only shoot photos and no video at all so my experience and comments are purely from photo shooting.
I have several M-mount lenses and I find many of them (that have somewhat too much field curvature on Sony) to work better on the Sigma so I'm now using those exclusively on the Sigma and sticking to native lenses for my Sony. I also have the 45/2.8 DG DN for the Sigma, purchased as a kit.
I'm primarily using my fp with Leica M-L and Shoten M-L helicoid adapters and several Voigtländer VM and LTM lenses: 21/3.5, 28/2, 35/2, 40/2.8 (designed for Sony but works fine on the Sigma with Shoten helicoid adapter too), 50/2 Heliar classic, 50/3.5 Heliar, 75/1.5 and 75/2.5 (LTM). I also have and use Minolta M-Rokkor trio, Avenon 28/3.5 LTM (2 different versions) and Konica M-Hexanon 90/2.8.
As accessories for the Sigma, I got the LVF-11 viewfinder, the small grip and 1 extra battery. I've been using LVF-11 quite often as I really prefer having a viewfinder for the ability to focus well and to see the framing properly even in bright light, but it turns the small camera into a much bigger one.
Positives for me:
- Great IQ with no AA-filter, love the colors and sharp detail
- IQ remains relatively great at high ISO
- I enjoy shooting my M-mount lenses again with this camera
- Camera is very small and so a good match for small M-mount lenses
- Good support for MF, especially with LVF-11
- I really like the in-camera DNG photo editing capabilities and use those often
- Silent shooting and no blackout is possible (the viewfinder frame just freezes for a split second when a shot is taken/is being saved)
- Relatively fast and responsive all-around
- User interface is pretty good and multilingual (in Japan Sony UI is only in Japanese)
- Battery life is reasonable (esp. when shooting with MF only) and batteries are small and cheap
Negatives for me:
- No in-built EVF and LVF-11 is quite big, turning a small camera to something bigger
- AF is not entirely reliable and a bit clunky to use, e.g. when it comes to selection of focus points
- AF-C is not really mature
- Sigma's own photo editing SW for PC (Sigma Photo Pro) is very slow and clunky, hardly usable
Basically I prefer to use the fp in manual focus mode even with my Sigma 45/2.8 DG DN most of the time and when I need AF I mostly stick to my Sony A9. Most of my shooting is in MF anyway so it is fine for me.
I use C1 Pro for most of my photo editing on PC and it has generic DNG support which is working much better with Sigma fp DNGs than the previous C1 Pro version did. Still would be nice if C1 started to have full/official Sigma fp support in the future.
I hope Sigma comes up with a new fp v2 at some point with a built in high quality EVF while still keeping a Bayer sensor with similar characteristics.
I don't think it has the same sensor as A7II since fp has a BSI sensor (according to Sigma's site and various reviews) and A7II didn't have one. Could possibly be same base sensor as A7III though. Maybe you meant to write A7III anyway.
I'm usually using roughly around 2 x shutter speed based on fl, e.g. 1/50 for my 21/3.5 and 28/2, 1/60 or 1/80 for 35mm and 40mm, and 1/100 for 50mm and so on. However, if there is any artificial light I try to use multiples of 1/50 since Tokyo electric frequency is 50Hz. I got some light frequency banding when shooting at 1/160s minimum shutter speed on some occasions with my 75/1.5 so I try to be more careful about the electric frequency now. I haven't been getting any noticeable softness when sticking to those shutter speeds.
I agree that LCD is hard to see in sunny conditions so I started to use LVF-11 a lot especially in those conditions... Missing the small form factor when using it though.
I did some comparison shooting using the CV 75/1.5 on Sigma and my A9 and it was working much better on the Sigma in terms of field curvature, and I have noticed the same with my CV 35/2. Generally my M-mount lens selection is also based on what worked reasonably well on Sony but I expanded my M-mount selection a bit more again after getting the fp (newly bought 21/3.5 VM, 28/2 VM, 75/1.5 VM).
serhan_ wrote:
I am using one, mostly testing shots with M lenses... I found I need at least 1/100 sec min shutter to shoot due to no evf and IBIS. The dynamic range and high iso is great, using upto ISO 16000. It is most probably the same sensor as the A7 II... It is not optimized for M lenses... The lcd with m lenses in the sunny condition is very hard to see, maybe more due to vignetting from the lenses. Mostly the lenses work with A7 work with FP eg new CV 21mm 3.5.
It's reassuring since I pulled the trigger on one with the viewfinder on the b&s board.
Your use of it is very similar to how I plan to use it. I've got a few Leica R lenses to try on it already, and then also picked up a CV 40mm and 12mm in m mount to give it a thorough trial.
Cameraquest is closing out new CV 12s in M mount for only $450 if anyone is in the market.
Juha Kannisto wrote:
I'm enjoying my Sigma fp a lot, using it as an alternative to my Sony A9. I only shoot photos and no video at all so my experience and comments are purely from photo shooting.
I have several M-mount lenses and I find many of them (that have somewhat too much field curvature on Sony) to work better on the Sigma so I'm now using those exclusively on the Sigma and sticking to native lenses for my Sony. I also have the 45/2.8 DG DN for the Sigma, purchased as a kit.
I'm primarily using my fp with Leica M-L and Shoten M-L helicoid adapters and several Voigtländer VM and LTM lenses: 21/3.5, 28/2, 35/2, 40/2.8 (designed for Sony but works fine on the Sigma with Shoten helicoid adapter too), 50/2 Heliar classic, 50/3.5 Heliar, 75/1.5 and 75/2.5 (LTM). I also have and use Minolta M-Rokkor trio, Avenon 28/3.5 LTM (2 different versions) and Konica M-Hexanon 90/2.8.
As accessories for the Sigma, I got the LVF-11 viewfinder, the small grip and 1 extra battery. I've been using LVF-11 quite often as I really prefer having a viewfinder for the ability to focus well and to see the framing properly even in bright light, but it turns the small camera into a much bigger one.
Positives for me:
- Great IQ with no AA-filter, love the colors and sharp detail
- IQ remains relatively great at high ISO
- I enjoy shooting my M-mount lenses again with this camera
- Camera is very small and so a good match for small M-mount lenses
- Good support for MF, especially with LVF-11
- I really like the in-camera DNG photo editing capabilities and use those often
- Silent shooting and no blackout is possible (the viewfinder frame just freezes for a split second when a shot is taken/is being saved)
- Relatively fast and responsive all-around
- User interface is pretty good and multilingual (in Japan Sony UI is only in Japanese)
- Battery life is reasonable (esp. when shooting with MF only) and batteries are small and cheap
Negatives for me:
- No in-built EVF and LVF-11 is quite big, turning a small camera to something bigger
- AF is not entirely reliable and a bit clunky to use, e.g. when it comes to selection of focus points
- AF-C is not really mature
- Sigma's own photo editing SW for PC (Sigma Photo Pro) is very slow and clunky, hardly usable
Basically I prefer to use the fp in manual focus mode even with my Sigma 45/2.8 DG DN most of the time and when I need AF I mostly stick to my Sony A9. Most of my shooting is in MF anyway so it is fine for me.
I use C1 Pro for most of my photo editing on PC and it has generic DNG support which is working much better with Sigma fp DNGs than the previous C1 Pro version did. Still would be nice if C1 started to have full/official Sigma fp support in the future.
I hope Sigma comes up with a new fp v2 at some point with a built in high quality EVF while still keeping a Bayer sensor with similar characteristics....Show more →