Big test
WHEN THE LIGHT'S POOR This is an image taken with available light at ISO 800. The exposure was 1/40sec at f/2 using the 65mm f/2 lens. The model was Leah, at a TimeLines portrait shoot at Crossness Pumping Station in Kent
PERFORMANCE: ISO
SPEED IS OF THE ESSENCE With 61 megapixels, you might expect the fp L’s high ISO performance to be mediocre, but that’s not the case – this is a camera that is very capable when light levels fall and you need to dial in higher ISO settings
This set of ISO pictures was taken at the interior of Crossness Pumping Station in Kent. The Sigma fp L, with internal noise reduction turned off and 35mm f/2 lens, was fixed on a Leofoto LS-324C tripod. The base ISO 100 image received an exposure of 0.8sec at f/11. Adobe Lightroom was used to process shots with default settings. The fp L has a native ISO range of 100 to 12,800, but with expansion, this range grows significantly – with ISO 102,400 the
top speed. At the other end, ISO 6 is available, giving the fp L huge potential with long exposures, even with mid-range ND filters. In terms of shutter speeds, the fp L’s B (bulb) setting has a limit of 300secs. ISO performance from the fp L rates highly. Shoot at any speed up to ISO 1600, maybe even 3200, and you would struggle to see any difference in shots, unless you were seriously critical. In real-world, practical terms for most users, you would be very happy with what the
fp L is capable of delivering. Yes, enlarge an ISO 3200 and 6400 to 100% and look closely, and there’s graining in mid-tones and shadows; details lose some crispness, but not much, and of course some work in software will only help. Without doubt, the fp L is an outstanding high ISO performer. I would be happy shooting critically at ISO 8000, or even 10,000, especially given the dire lighting conditions that would demand such speeds.
100
800
1600
to other functions, but can be set to off – and the shutter release at the centre of an input dial. This, and the rear input dial, have various functions, depending on the mode you’re in. The camera’s rear is dominated by the LCD touchscreen. This does not come into play with menu selection, nor does it give touch shooting or touch AF. What you can do is use the crop zoom tool, as well as move the AF point with it – this includes when utilising the EVF, so your thumb can be used to drag the AF point around the image. This is not overly responsive, though. Despite the fp L’s small stature, the controls are a decent size and positive to use. Most buttons can be customised to a variety of functions via the menu – a really useful feature. Four of the five buttons running along the bottom edge of the camera are modifiable, and the four directions of the touch pad can be dedicated to different functions, too. There are no buttons specifically for ISO or exposure compensation by default, but there’s the option to set these features to most of the buttons on the back panel. This includes the
rear input dial, which is a four-way controller. So the tone, colour and mode buttons offer 24 settings each, the AEL nine options, and the four- way controller has 32: up, down, left and right. All you have to do is get used to which feature is set to which button, like any typical modern camera. The QS (quick start) button brings up eight features, with a default grid including ISO, drive and white-balance: again, they are not touch-selectable. Each of the eight boxes can be set to other features (37 in total), and each item is selected using the four-way controller and the rear or front input dial. The fp L has single and continuous AF using a phase and contrast hybrid system, with the choice of single or multiple focus points, and three size options – the system has a respectable 49 points, but not as many as its rivals. AF on the fp was contrast detect only, and it struggled to get sharp focus in poor light or low contrast. AF on the fp L, on the other hand, was more responsive, sensitive and accurate. But it wasn’t infallible, and could miss the target in low contrast – or when it was darker.
3200
6400
12,800
25,600
51,200
102,400
Issue 91 | Photography News 29
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