Sigma took the photo world by surprise a few weeks ago at the CP+ trade show in Japan by unveiling its latest creation: a minimalist camera that barely has any dials or buttons. Given the bold design, just how well does it cope with everyday use?
Cinematographer and DOP Becca Farsace blasted through a thousand day-to-day photos to figure out the usability of the brand-new Sigma BF, the camera world's equivalent of a concept car.
The Sigma BF is clearly not designed as a practical tool. I understand that cameras can be nothing but tools, but just like cars, they can also be an indulgence where the journey itself is just as much fun as arriving at your destination. My Dacia Lodgy is far from a luxurious vehicle because I don’t need anything fancy, and it does the job. However, if I suddenly decide to rent a Lamborghini for the day, it won't be because I need to go to Lidl to buy some eggs.
Very few people will buy this camera, and given how long they take to make, Sigma definitely hasn’t brought it to market with lucrative sales in mind, but it’s good to know that as a daily driver, it seems to do a pretty good job.
Would you take one for a ride? Let us know in the comments below.
I had an FP, which I loved apart from the laughable AF. If the BF has working autofocus I could be tempted.
Would you take one for a ride? Let us know in the comments below.
I would give it a try. But I would have to be careful what I shoot with it. I can not shoot ultra-tiny little critters on the ground at true macro distances very effectively without an articulating screen. And I can not shoot ultra-high-dynamic scenes without an EV, without missing the exposure from time to time. And my always-muddy hands and fingers don't lend themselves very well to use of a touch screen - I have never even tried to use the touch screen on my cameras because my fingers are always so sloppy .... I am, of course, shooting in sand and mud and swamps, not in parks and city streets.
I guess my particular kind of shooting depends on camera body capability more than that of most people, so this may not work as well for me as it would for those who shoot more normal, typical subject matter. But I would be willing to try it if there was ever a time when I was shooting in conditions that were good for such basic camera.