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Click here to view Sigma Fp footage - straight out of camera with minimal exposure adjustments , no grading.
Shot in MOV, All-intra, "Orange and Teal" colour mode, with highlight "-3", Shadows "+3".
With all the crazy offering that the other major camera manufacturers are coming out with, Sigma Fp is definitely not your usual run of the mill camera. I am a videographer and my pointers below are from the videographer's perspective.
There are many drawback to this camera but it can all be overcome. The main reason that I bought this camera is because of it's colours. It has rich colours which draw audience to the footages that it produces.
Many cameras produce better image in a bright setting compared to a dark setting. But to my unscientific eyes, I very much prefer the image from Sigma Fp in a darker setting. Even in high ISO, the camera produces beautiful and clean footages.
Let's address some of the drawbacks of this camera and how we can overcome it:
1. Poor footage quality if you are recording outside of CineDNG (raw)
I would say that footage quality is not as good when you compare it to Sony & Blackmagic, especially if you are shooting outside of CineDNG (raw). However with some tweaks in setting and exposure you can still get good decent usable footage with MOV codec, both all-intra & GOP.
I notice that sigma does 2 thing to the footage when using MOV codec. It increases the contrast and sharps the image by a lot. As such you can use the "TONE" function to create a flatter image. I lower my highlights to "-3" and increase my shadows to "+2"
When exposing for your shots, always expose for highlights if possible. The camera can capture more details in shadows, thus its always easier to raise shadows in post. This should be the default exposure for most of your shots.
During post production, it's always good to "unsharpen" your footage by abit if its possible. adding a diffusion filter such as Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter will also enhance the footage further.
Alternatively, just shoot CineDNG (raw) if you don't mind the huge file size and shooting with a SSD.
2. Lack of "In Body Image stabilization"
I shot the above video handheld using a short neck strap to create a 2 point contact and stabilised the shots. You can always use a neck strap, shoulder rig, chest mount, monopod, tripod, gimbal to overcome the lack of IBIS.
In Sigma defence, I don't find any issue with the menu and I find that the battery life is quite decent. Given the size and weight, I would say it performs well and punch above its weight.
All in all, if you love the colours and footage that the Sigma Fp is producing and you are willing to work around the above mentioned issues, Sigma Fp can be a very useful cam for you. Given its size and low light capability, its a camera that I would chuck it inside my bag everywhere I go.
Shot in MOV, All-intra, "Orange and Teal" colour mode, with highlight "-3", Shadows "+3".
With all the crazy offering that the other major camera manufacturers are coming out with, Sigma Fp is definitely not your usual run of the mill camera. I am a videographer and my pointers below are from the videographer's perspective.
There are many drawback to this camera but it can all be overcome. The main reason that I bought this camera is because of it's colours. It has rich colours which draw audience to the footages that it produces.
Many cameras produce better image in a bright setting compared to a dark setting. But to my unscientific eyes, I very much prefer the image from Sigma Fp in a darker setting. Even in high ISO, the camera produces beautiful and clean footages.
Let's address some of the drawbacks of this camera and how we can overcome it:
1. Poor footage quality if you are recording outside of CineDNG (raw)
I would say that footage quality is not as good when you compare it to Sony & Blackmagic, especially if you are shooting outside of CineDNG (raw). However with some tweaks in setting and exposure you can still get good decent usable footage with MOV codec, both all-intra & GOP.
I notice that sigma does 2 thing to the footage when using MOV codec. It increases the contrast and sharps the image by a lot. As such you can use the "TONE" function to create a flatter image. I lower my highlights to "-3" and increase my shadows to "+2"
When exposing for your shots, always expose for highlights if possible. The camera can capture more details in shadows, thus its always easier to raise shadows in post. This should be the default exposure for most of your shots.
During post production, it's always good to "unsharpen" your footage by abit if its possible. adding a diffusion filter such as Tiffen Black Pro Mist Filter will also enhance the footage further.
Alternatively, just shoot CineDNG (raw) if you don't mind the huge file size and shooting with a SSD.
2. Lack of "In Body Image stabilization"
I shot the above video handheld using a short neck strap to create a 2 point contact and stabilised the shots. You can always use a neck strap, shoulder rig, chest mount, monopod, tripod, gimbal to overcome the lack of IBIS.
In Sigma defence, I don't find any issue with the menu and I find that the battery life is quite decent. Given the size and weight, I would say it performs well and punch above its weight.
All in all, if you love the colours and footage that the Sigma Fp is producing and you are willing to work around the above mentioned issues, Sigma Fp can be a very useful cam for you. Given its size and low light capability, its a camera that I would chuck it inside my bag everywhere I go.
