S IGMA FP | USER REVI EW
“A QUIRKY CAMERA, ONE DESIGNED FOR SWITCHING CINE TO STILLS”
controls. But this can work well for filming as, for example, you can set the shutter speed to a 180° shutter angle so it always sets a speed of twice the frame rate, using the age- old formula that has stood the test of time. Then all you need to do is set the ISO and aperture. We used the compact Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN lens, which has an aperture ring, so it all felt old-school and natural. This is a mid-range lens from Sigma’s Contemporary range rather than the flagship Art range of DSLR lenses or even cine primes, but its small size made the camera truly pocketable. The back of the camera has a button labelled QS for the Quick Select menu, which is a great way to set all the most-used settings. Hit QS, move the thumb pad wheel to change between settings, then spin it to alter those settings. In Cine mode, you can change the video format, frame rate, time code, shutter angle, aperture, ISO, colour and white- balance. If you want more options, the AEL button takes you deeper into the right menu. It’s simple
ABOVE The Sigma fp is a good stills camera but it’s an even better filmmaking camera
want them, or use them to bolt on standard video accessories like rigs and cages. If you do want to use flash, the included Sigma HU-11 hotshoe adapter screws into the left side of the camera and has a clamp to firmly fasten a mini HDMI lead. This clamp can be a bit small for certain leads, so you may end up buying a more slender version if you want to link it up to an external monitor. To use the hotshoe adapter, you need to take off a rubber cover electronic connections to be made and, unfortunately, it’s easy to lose. The other connectors for the USB-C socket and mic input are hinged, so there is no chance of losing them. They are a fiddly fit, though. FORM FACTOR The rest of the camera is small and minimalist, with few external from the side of the body. This is totally removed to allow the
whichever you are shooting, and the menus and configuration change totally, making it easy to switch between the two. While many mirrorless cameras definitely feel like stills cameras with added video functionality, the Sigma actually feels like it’s the other way around. Instead of the body being tailored towards stills shooters (with the more conventional PASM mode dial and flash hotshoe), it prioritises video Raw, a screen with cooling vents to stop the sensor overheating during extended video shooting, and buttons under the rear screen that allow you to set colour modes and tones. That’s not to say it’s not a good stills camera, but it’s an even better filmmaking camera. Even the strap eyelets aren’t the normal lugs for a camera strap. Instead, they are standard ¼-20 threaded holes into which you screw the included strap lugs if you
JANUARY 2020 | DEF I N I T ION 63
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