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Forgive me, for I have Been Foolish
- Thread starter AlanC
- Start date
Some initial impressions:
It's fast. It starts up and comes out of sleep mode far quicker than the fp L, the autofocus is very responsive, it has a large buffer, writing photos to the internal storage is quick, and playback is fast.
JPEGs are excellent, just like the fp L. The DNG files contain a camera profile and this produces good colour (the fp L's DNG profile produced somewhat dull colours and cyan skies) when processed in an application that will recognise it (I use Iridient Developer) without the need for specific support for the camera.
It eats batteries, just like the fp L. Unfortunately Sigma UK are currently out of stock, plus the batteries are ridiculously expensive (£99.99, the charger costs £139
).
The playback and option buttons are both conventional buttons and touch sensitive, so pressing the playback button activates playback mode, but touching it shows you the last photo taken; similarly pressing the option button takes you to the options screen, while touching it displays the status bar with the battery level, time and remaining photos.
You can directly attach a USB C SSD to the camera and back up everything on the internal storage, with the option to clear the internal storage after the copy completes. So no need for a computer to back up your photos and videos.
The black finish looks really nice but it tends to show fingerprints. The sharp edges aren't really that sharp, plus the front left and rear right corners are bevelled so they don't dig into your hands.
One oddity: Auto ISO is behaving inconsistently. I've got it set 100 to 6400, but it sometimes refuses to go below 400 (the sensor is dual ISO, 100 and 400) and I'm not sure what the cause is.
It's fast. It starts up and comes out of sleep mode far quicker than the fp L, the autofocus is very responsive, it has a large buffer, writing photos to the internal storage is quick, and playback is fast.
JPEGs are excellent, just like the fp L. The DNG files contain a camera profile and this produces good colour (the fp L's DNG profile produced somewhat dull colours and cyan skies) when processed in an application that will recognise it (I use Iridient Developer) without the need for specific support for the camera.
It eats batteries, just like the fp L. Unfortunately Sigma UK are currently out of stock, plus the batteries are ridiculously expensive (£99.99, the charger costs £139
).The playback and option buttons are both conventional buttons and touch sensitive, so pressing the playback button activates playback mode, but touching it shows you the last photo taken; similarly pressing the option button takes you to the options screen, while touching it displays the status bar with the battery level, time and remaining photos.
You can directly attach a USB C SSD to the camera and back up everything on the internal storage, with the option to clear the internal storage after the copy completes. So no need for a computer to back up your photos and videos.
The black finish looks really nice but it tends to show fingerprints. The sharp edges aren't really that sharp, plus the front left and rear right corners are bevelled so they don't dig into your hands.
One oddity: Auto ISO is behaving inconsistently. I've got it set 100 to 6400, but it sometimes refuses to go below 400 (the sensor is dual ISO, 100 and 400) and I'm not sure what the cause is.
That is a very good solution when travelling.
It eats batteries, just like the fp L. Unfortunately Sigma UK are currently out of stock, plus the batteries are ridiculously expensive (£99.99, the charger costs £139
Can you show a picture of the battery contacts? Maybe universal photo chargers can charge it?
I have a charger from Ansman. Vario X. It is able to charge almost every kind of battery, because you can move both pins in 2 directions seperately. It costs around 30€
Travis Butler
Well-Known Member
Hah! Looking forward to your experiences.
My main concern continues to be how visible the rear screen is in bright sunlight; how's it do for you there?
The universal battery charger I use is the Energizer ENC-MUL; the charging contacts slide along a path that's let me adjust them for every camera battery I've used over the last 5+ years, and an LCD display shows charging status. Digipower sold essentially the same charger under the model # TC-U450, although it replaces the charging display with a row of LEDs.
My main concern continues to be how visible the rear screen is in bright sunlight; how's it do for you there?
The universal battery charger I use is the Energizer ENC-MUL; the charging contacts slide along a path that's let me adjust them for every camera battery I've used over the last 5+ years, and an LCD display shows charging status. Digipower sold essentially the same charger under the model # TC-U450, although it replaces the charging display with a row of LEDs.
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
Nothing foolish about it at all. As long as you're not spending money that you should have spent on other actual necessities of life, then it's all good. Can't take your money to the cemetery with you, enjoy it while you can.
It is absolutely beautiful, to my eye, as well. And as long as it's as comfortable to use as it is pretty, then I reckon you've hit the jackpot
It is absolutely beautiful, to my eye, as well. And as long as it's as comfortable to use as it is pretty, then I reckon you've hit the jackpot
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
I haven't used any sort of camera strap in 20? years now. I tried a wrist strap many moons ago, didn't really like it, so just reverted back to freeballing againEnjoy!! I find it hard to believe that Sigma don't include a wrist strap - beautifully foolish indeed
Yet to drop a camera, and I'm not averse to hanging them out in the breeze at times to get a different perspective. Like hanging out of cable car windows, or one handed bumper car shenanigans The BF does look like it has a nice grippy diamond point machined finish on the grip area, so I can't see it being too bar of soap like to hang onto.
Travis Butler
Well-Known Member
Oh, for a wrist strap... they used to make metallic straps with very fine links, almost as flexible as cloth or leather; I've seen them on Minox and Yashica subminiature cameras, something like this: https://www.ebay.com/itm/126971315049 You ought to find one of those.
Travis Butler
Well-Known Member
For me, it's more a matter of a) a way to let the camera dangle when I'm changing lenses and need three hands, and b) take some of the weight off when I'm doing extended photo walks.I haven't used any sort of camera strap in 20? years now. I tried a wrist strap many moons ago, didn't really like it, so just reverted back to freeballing again
I was semi-serious in the last post about those metallic straps, but for daily use I've been using braided paracord; several eBay sellers carry them, this is the one I bought: https://www.ebay.com/itm/172480621475 Holds the weight of an S5 plus a large 70-210 lens, no problem.
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
That charger doesn't look like it has any type of thermal management, or balance charge capabilities either.
I'd personally spring for the extra and buy the genuine article, as you'll get longer lasting battery life that way.
I'd be very reluctant to use those 2 contact only type chargers
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
Deleted
I use it for almost all my photo batteries for over 10 years. Never had a problem. Ansmann is a well known German manufacturer (I am sure it was nade in China), but sll my batteries are good and in great shape. When you travel, this saves a lot of space.
Regarding balance charge I have to check, but I think it has it.
But the Sigma BF only has one hook on the right side to attach a wrist strap, right?
If you want to add a strap to keep it around your neck, you'll have to wait for a base plate or an extra grip that allows you to attach the strap on both sides...
Foolishly impractical?
If you want to add a strap to keep it around your neck, you'll have to wait for a base plate or an extra grip that allows you to attach the strap on both sides...
Foolishly impractical?
I am a fan of the peak design camera straps, if I absolutely need a camera strap.
But this does not look good on the Sigma BF. In my view, the Sigma BF is looking too good, to have any kind of strap, except these very thin handwrists which you get at ebay for 5€.
But in my view, the Sigma BF is not a camera you want to hold the whole day around your neck or in your hand.
I would rather carry it in a non-camera bag with only one lens attached. No other lenses. Like a small 28mm, which Sigma does not offer yet.
But the 35/2.0 DG DN or 45/2.8 DG DN would be an excellent choice for this camera too.
But this does not look good on the Sigma BF. In my view, the Sigma BF is looking too good, to have any kind of strap, except these very thin handwrists which you get at ebay for 5€.
But in my view, the Sigma BF is not a camera you want to hold the whole day around your neck or in your hand.
I would rather carry it in a non-camera bag with only one lens attached. No other lenses. Like a small 28mm, which Sigma does not offer yet.
But the 35/2.0 DG DN or 45/2.8 DG DN would be an excellent choice for this camera too.
I'm inclined to agree with Markus on the subject of chargers: I'd rather use the genuine article. Plus the BP-81 is a really weird design:
It's the same system as Leica use on their more recent cameras: the battery compartment has no door, it's sealed by the base of the battery.
I'm going to order Sigma's BF wrist strap from Sigma UK, but in the meanwhile I have a Sony strap that will do the job.
Travis, the display is perhaps a bit brighter than my fp L, but it's not a big difference. No sunshine today to I can't tell how well it'll stand up to direct sunlight.
It's the same system as Leica use on their more recent cameras: the battery compartment has no door, it's sealed by the base of the battery.
I'm going to order Sigma's BF wrist strap from Sigma UK, but in the meanwhile I have a Sony
strap that will do the job.Travis, the display is perhaps a bit brighter than my fp L, but it's not a big difference. No sunshine today to I can't tell how well it'll stand up to direct sunlight.
Markuswelder
Well-Known Member
Yeah for sure. And batteries. I've yet to find an aftermarket battery that lasts as long as an original Panasonic. They're okay, barely, (aftermarket) but that's about it. I've got an LX7 that I bought near release, battery in that is still going fine. I needed a second battery for my G9 in a hurry so grabbed a very well respected aftermarket with decent warranty, it's since decided not to accept charge. I bought another aftermarket for another camera, it's since gone to Jesus, meanwhile my original Panasonic LX7, GX8, and G9 batteries just keep on keeping on.
It's. Just. Not. Worth. It. Genuine batteries , with a proper, full featured genuine charger beats the others, hands down. No ifs, buts or maybes.