The Sigma FP-L: Long-Term Honest Review of Japan's Tiniest Camera

www.52weeks.co...
Everything you need to know before buying a Sigma FP-L in 2024 - including lens recommendations and SSD mounting. This video is a mini review/buyer's guide of japan’s tiniest camera. The Sigma FP-L.
Thanks to:
Skyfish: • SIGMA fp が理想の形に！SIGMA ...
Kazuo Itoga: • SIGMA fp is AMAZING fo...
Dylan Coleman: • a perfect minimalist e...
Takuma: x.com/takuma3_...
Shoichi: • Street photography set...
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[@ArmandoOrtegat]

I love how authentic you are, thank you for the info

[@MattFitzgerald]

Of course! Hopefully it helps.

[@travisgoodrich1151]

I bought a used FPL on eBay in Tokyo for $1700. I primarily use the Sigma 50mm 2.0 and 24mm 2.0 for landscape. I am a he huge fan of this camera. I used it a few weeks and sold my A74 and a lot of Sony glass. I only shoot stills and this Sigma really does it for me. Just a much smoother work flow.

[@MattFitzgerald]

@travisgoodrich1151 oh man you have got to tell me about that lens combo. That is exactly the contemporary prime combo I would buy. How is the weight and size of the 24? Worth the 2.0? Is the 50 up to snuff in terms of quality?

[@Wasnice7Wasnice]

Hello Matt, I have an FP and used it a lot in professional jobs, the banding issue is a real problem. Last time, though, I found out in a heavy banding situation, that opening the shutter angle all the way to 360 degrees got me out of the situation, all the banding disappeared. That is in case you cannot play with the fps count. I hope this helps. All the best

[@rayanayash]

Thank you for this Matt!! Ive been contemplating this camera as I search for a high resolution back up to my medium format system- that is most importantly lightweight to offset my Hasselblad gear! What seems to be my concern is the rolling shutter for still imagery (which you thankfully addressed) and also I am aware of the very slow flash sync. But I am assuming any flash would be able to freeze most motion at around 1/20 shutter. But it would still make it slightly risky for professional work!

[@aramdavid]

Can you live tether this with Capture One?

[@swaggyc3475]

so sad that fp series don't have a cookie lens

[@markbaker1855]

Awesome video!. .....I'm considering this camera for both video and stills. I previously used a Sony a6300 with Sigma lenses for landscapes, astrophotography, cityscapes, wildlife, and sports. While I mainly shoot in manual mode, I occasionally use AF-C for fast moving wildlife and sports. If it means taking more shots to get the right one, I'm fine with that. I'm curious if the autofocus on the Sigma FP has improved with firmware updates.

[@shadowcultur]

Bought my fp used, 9+ condition from B&H for $1100 USD. Already had peripherals from a previous rig. Insane value. Took me awhile to figure out how to get the best video out of it but I’m getting better with it every day. The colors are 🤌🏼

[@Artemie093]

There is a rolling shutter hack in video mode using steadxp and a gyro sensor to calculate and offset the rolling shutter. Adds a whole new level to post processing though.

[@AI3Dorinte]

Loved the review, I have the S5ii and i realised I made a mistake since i now only use a voigtlander nokton 40mm f1.2 aspherical VM, cared so much about af and now only use mf :)

[@MattFitzgerald]

@AI3Dorinte I want to try the 40 1.2!!! All 40s are so compact and I think they make such interesting every day carry lenses. I'm thinking about trying out an S9 for similar reasons. The S5ii, s9, and FP all share a similar space with minor trade offs.

[@CartyCantDance]

Not a mistake! S5ii is still a great camera

[@berkano_plays]

What's your SSD cable? The one I have gets in the way too much...

[@MattFitzgerald]

I have links to everything on my website! Check out the Sigma FP-L buyer's guide.

[@berkano_plays]

@@MattFitzgerald I've tried the first one, from the SSD cage manual, but it's not ideal, the second option where one port is angled looks more suitable.

[@MattFitzgerald]

@@berkano_plays www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0CPNYFMSR/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&th=1 ^^ I think this is the one you are referring to. Just warning you -- these ones break really fast, so you might be buying a lot depending on how nice you are to your cameras.

[@berkano_plays]

@@MattFitzgerald For some reason these are $20 in the states, but almost 70CAD in Canada... 😱 I'd look for something comparable...

[@nonplusultra9593]

If you are a photographer it is also interesting that you can shoot in 21:9, which enables you to use it as some kind of digital Hasselblad Xpan if you use wide enough lenses

[@MattFitzgerald]

@@nonplusultra9593 I honestly need to try this natively. I shoot with a 28 all the time, so a quick crop produces the 21:9 effect -- but it's a different experience intentionally shooting that way.

[@Bourhoutprod]

Hello, thank you for you video. I have question regarding Arca Swiss plate I never used before. How do you attach it to a regular video tripod (sachtler in my case) ? I can't see how (sorry if is obvious though...)

[@MattFitzgerald]

If your normal tripod isn't arca-swiss -- you might look at buying an arca swiss quick release plate. (Or something similar.) I love anything quick release because finding something to screw tripod base plates on all the time is annoying to me. So you just attach an arca swiss system to your normal tripod plate, and you never have to take it off.

[@Bourhoutprod]

@@MattFitzgerald thanks ! I had doubt about it since the plate is horizontal and video tripod plate vertical but I did found a quick release with good stew option on the back.

[@isatlea]

Hey, is there way to see what objects are in focus when filming with it with manual focus?

[@MattFitzgerald]

@isatlea great question -- yes there is focus peaking and magnification. However a big annoyance is the fact that you can't punch in to check focus while you are recording. External monitors solve for this when you are doing very important paid work.

[@cutecoots]

Dude... inexpensive? haha. In germany you get it used for like 1800€, new you can get it for 1950€. =( No lenses or viewfinder included It's an awesome interesting camera. I'm happy I saw your video in the reddit section.

[@ligmatoes88]

Got one for 1800€ with the viewfinder at kleinanzeigen

[@DynamicLearning4u]

Hi Matt, which M to L adapter do you recommend? Thanks😊

[@MattFitzgerald]

Hello! I recommend the Shoten M-L macro Helicoid. It is a little bit heavier than normal M-L adapters but I like having the macro capabilities with M Lenses. It should be linked in the article on 52weeks.com -- but I bought mine new on ebay.

[@DynamicLearning4u]

@@MattFitzgerald Thank you!

[@DynamicLearning4u]

Can you do a review of the Sigma FP L for video use? haha. Thanks.

[@MattFitzgerald]

@DynamicLearning4u bottom line is it's excellent. All the cinema grade monitoring built in is wonderful. The external RAW workflow is rough, but the results are excellent. So it depends on how much you practice the workflow, and whether you value speed or quality more.

[@DynamicLearning4u]

@ ah. Thank you 🙏🏻

[@dominiqueduongvan2542]

Hi Matt , would you tell what is the yellow HDMI cable you're using ? thanks

[@MattFitzgerald]

I would but the cable broke within a week of use. So I can't say I would recommend it. haha

[@DynamicLearning4u]

Hi Matt, if I have a camera cage for the Sigma FP, can the SSD Holder from 52 weeks be attached under it using the usual thread? Thanks

[@MattFitzgerald]

@DynamicLearning4u our SSD holder has a locating pin that fits in a slot on the Sigma FP Body body to keep the bracket from rotating. If your cage of choice has a space for that locating pin, then it would work. Look on the bottom of your FP Body to see the little hole I'm talking about.

[@DynamicLearning4u]

@@MattFitzgerald Ah! Thanks! I will check !

[@jessegarcia2790]

What camera did you shoot this on?

[@MattFitzgerald]

@jessegarcia2790 great question -- most of it was a borrowed canon R10 and sigma 18-35 1.8

[@willemalexander8596]

Have been using a Blackmagic 6K full frame but want to sell it for the FP or FP L havent made a choose yet. And there isn’t that much interest in the black magic. Hope to sell it soon. (And sell my BMPCC OG kit). One cam and all my Olympus Pen F lenses. Please a vid. About video or some footage of how to footage look when added some minimal stabilisation

[@bedenegative]

Honestly the fp is much better in low light but in my opinion it's not solid as a professional work took for video. Can be used 100 percent. But in good light the FF gives a nice image.

[@GandoshGanbaataryo]

Duuude, dont do that. Yes its a great camera, but for bmcc ff? I own both, but Sigma FP is fragile, one wrong battery and its gone. Mine is gone, im about to send back to factory. Also its not that scalable like bmcc ff. Its 6k opengate with compression and without compression. think about it :P I loved my experience with Sigma FP. If your bmcc leica mount, they'll get together nicely!

[@brittle1]

Japan's tiniest camera 🤔🧐

[@jonathanjones4566]

EL Zone > False Color

[@joaquinperalba1624]

FP is better in low light ...

[@MattFitzgerald]

@joaquinperalba1624 a little bit for sure. My case in the video is that people over-value the ability to push their ISO.