32 22 February 2020 I http://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk I subscribe 0330 333 1113
B
ack in early
December, Sigma
and AP joined
forces to introduce
a select group of high-profile
photographers, film makers
and social media influencers
to the Sigma fp and the wide
range of lenses now available
for this innovative L-Mount
camera. The event took place at
Henry Wood House, near the
heart of London’s West End.
As regular readers will know,
the fp, which stands for
fortissimo pianissimo (‘very
soft but loud’), squeezes a
24.6-million-pixel back-
illuminated CMOS Bayer
sensor into an ultra-compact
and robust body.
Despite its diminutive
size – it’s the smallest and
lightest full-frame camera ever
built – the fp is packed with
features: the sensor provides
an ISO range of 100-25,600
(expandable to ISO 6-102,400)
and relies on contrast detection
for focusing, with an AF
working range of -5 to 18EV. It
has a 49-point AF system that
supports Face/Eye detection as
well as an AF tracking mode.
The fp’s video specification is
impressive, too, with 4K UHD
24p recording being supported
in 12-bit format to an external
recorder or direct to an
attached SSD drive. There’s 4K
UHD video at 24, 25 or 30p
in 10-bit or 8-bit too, although
internal recording is restricted
to 8-bit and support for playing
Cinema DNG footage in-
camera is not yet available;ADVERTISEMENT FEATURE
Sigma and AP
host memorable
fp event
It may be small, but it packs a
full-frame sensor and a lot
more besides. Sigma and AP
help some key influencers get
acquainted with the new fp
mirrorless camera
images per second is pretty
epic, making it an ideal camera
for shooting GIF/moving
images. Its autofocusing
system is rather snappy for a
contrast AF system and its
noise handling at high ISOs is
really impressive. For instance,
I shot those portraits at ISO
3200 and there is next to no
noise in the images. My verdictthis will follow via a firmware
update at a later date.Whale of a time
The Sigma fp camera is ‘simply
amazing’, enthused one of the
guests, freelance photographer
and film maker George Whale.
‘What first caught my attention
is the size – it’s tiny! It’s crazy
to think that a camera with
such high-end specs can easily
slip into one’s pocket. And, if
you are a videographer, this
camera is an absolute beast
when it’s fully rigged up. A
couple of things that really
excited me about this camera is
its color modes. There is a wide
range of profiles to choose from
(12 in total), my favourite being
the black & white mode. Also,
its frame rate of up to 18A wide range of lenses is now available for the Sigma fp Top photographers and film makers attended the event
‘Groundbreaking design’: Edmond
Terakopian with the fp at the event© PAUL MONAGHAN
Photographer
George Whale was
impressed by the
fp’s size and high
ISO performance© GEORGE WHALE