On Monday, I had the first opportunity for a Sigma BF hands-on since the launch of the stunning new camera two weeks ago. Sigma had a busy presence at the London Photography Show at the Excel Centre in Docklands.
With neither Leica nor Panasonic taking part, the exhibition was of limited interest for Macfilos. However, anyone interested in bags, tripods, processing software and accessories would find much to fascinate them. My main motivation for attending was to lay hands on the new Sigma BF1. I have been itching to see the camera since it was announced here on Macfilos on February 24.
Sigma BF hands-on
The BF is almost as quirky as the Sigma fp. Its “hewn from solid aluminium” headline feature is reminiscent of the Leica T which was introduced in 2014. The camera seems to be aimed specifically at photographers rather than videographers, which is a good thing in my opinion. But it sports a novel user interface, which I am keen to explore further.
I had a very brief opportunity to hold a silver Sigma BF, although the Sigma stand was busy and there was much interest in the new arrival. The BF looks gorgeous, whether in black or silver. It feels like just what it claims to be, a body milled from a solid block of aluminium. It is substantial and firm in the hand. The milled front of the camera, a sort of metal version of a Q3 43’s faux-leather coat, looks novel and sets the camera apart. The BF is by no means ostentatious and, in black, is a very discreet little camera.
The body is very similar in dimension to Panasonic’s S9, a camera aimed at a similar market but paying more emphasis to video. Dimensions are 130×72.8×36.8mm compared with the S9’s 125×73.9×46.7mm. Weights (body only, including battery) are also in the same ballpark. The BF is actually lighter at 446g despite the all-aluminium construction, with the S9 a full 40g heavier.
Comfort
The Sigma BF is not as comfortable to hold as I would wish. This was obvious as soon as I held the camera. There is little traction on the front of the body, despite the diamond milling, and the small built-in thumb grip, while welcome, is not as effective as an accessory grip. Furthermore, the edges of the camera are sharp, although the bottom right-hand corner is chamfered to avoid the metal digging into the palm.
Comfort, therefore, is something I would like to evaluate over a longer test. Unfortunately, the absence of a cold-shoe means that traditional thumb grips are not an option. And, in any case, such an accessory would cover the smaller display even if a cold-shoe existed. Nor is a handgrip currently available. If it does come to the market, either OEM or third-party, it would certainly have to incorporate a bottom plate with tripod-thread attachment, thus adding to weight and height.
There is a deeper worry when it comes to handling. Sigma has not provided strap lugs. Instead, there is just one slot (on the righthand side, looking from the back). It means that a neck strap is out of the question, and even a wrist strap must be of the string-attachment variety. This is fine on a small camera such as the Ricoh GRIII (which provides three attachment slots, by the way) but is a problem with the BF.
It’s not the body, of course. A lightweight wrist strap is fine for a camera weighing under 500g. It’s the weight and size of the lenses that pose the handling threat.
Sigma makes a virtue of this being an L-Mount camera, and I overheard a member of the stand staff mentioning the wide range of lenses, including Leica. But in reality, as another member of the staff pointed out, this camera is intended for use almost exclusively with lighter lenses such as Sigma’s Contemporary I primes. This is supported by the fact that the company has simultaneously launched a full range of Contemporaries in silver to match one version of the BF.
User interface
Unfortunately, I had no opportunity to explore the unique user interface apart from a quick run-through on the Sigma stand. It looks very promising and is probably the stand-out feature of the Sigma BF once you have recovered from the initial impression created by the aluminium body.
According to Sigma, the essence of the UI is simplicity. There are just four buttons (including the shutter button) and a scrolling dial with centre confirmation button. Using a tiny screen (the Status Monitor) above the dial, users can view the main elements in photography — shutter speed, aperture, ISO, and exposure compensation. It also provides access to Sigma’s colour modes2. The Status Monitor shows the basics, allowing the main screen to remain uncluttered.
First reaction is that this is an exciting and radical innovation that needs more evaluation. While it isn’t as revolutionary as Leica’s touchscreen T seemed to be in 2014, it is probably a useful fusion of traditional and radical control elements. Again, I look forward to finding out more.
Simplicity
I have mentioned Sigma’s virtuous signalling of simplicity, but there are aspects of the Sigma BF which will worry more traditional photographers.
Shutter
In common with the Panasonic S9 (and some other cameras such as the Pixii and Sigma’s own fp), the shutter is solely electronic. This helps cut down size and removes one mechanical element in the interests of simplicity, but it is a feature that some experienced photographers will dislike, principally because of the danger of rolling-shutter effect. But the all-electronic shutter is becoming increasingly common, and I do not think it will be a major consideration among the target audience.
Incidentally, the sensor is protected by a glass screen to minimise dust ingress.
Sensor resolution
The Sigma BG shares a 24MP resolution with the Panasonic S9, probably its major competitor. However, there are mixed views on “keeping up with the Joneses” in sensor resolution. Many experienced photographers believe that the race to ever-greater resolution is unnecessary, while others are convinced that 24MP is the sweet spot. Again, this is unlikely to be a major consideration among potential buyers.
Connectivity
This is where the Sigma BF gets basic. There is just one port, USB-C, to cope with power and data. I have no quibbles with this, but there is no doubt that some photographers will want more. The paucity of connectivity extends to the lack of a hot-shoe, of course, thus removing the option of fitting an EVF or, indeed, an OVF.
Oddly, the Sigma BF does not offer any form of wireless connectivity, an unusual omission in this age of connectivity.
The most notable absence in my view, however, is the missing SD-card slot. However, this is not that unusual these days, with the Pixii being a noted fellow traveller. The Panasonic S9, so alike in many ways, steps out of line here. It does have an SD-card slot.
Storage
Sigma makes up for the lack of a card slot by incorporating a hefty memory of 230GB. This should be enough to satisfy all but the most industrious of snappers. Apart from the absence of any on-the-go backup capability, this will be a popular form of storage.
Substantial internal storage is now included in many cameras, which are also equipped with card storage. Take the Leica M11-D for instance. It has an internal memory of 256GB, slightly more than that of the BF, and it can be used as primary or backup storage.
Image stabilisation
No, this is something else that is missing on the Sigma BF. While it isn’t absolutely necessary, it is something that we have become used to and can easily miss.
Sigma BF hands-on: Conclusion
The Sigma BF is a welcome addition to the world of the L-Mount and joins the Lumix S9 in targeting a rather amorphous target audience. As was the case eleven years ago when the Leica T arrived, the iPhone graduate appears to be in sight. A camera that works like a phone but isn’t a phone. It’s a “proper” camera.
There is another market, however, consisting of experienced L-Mount photographers who will welcome a very simply, gorgeously presented lightweight for casual photography.
The camera relies on many compromises in the interests of simplicity. And the one that will worry experienced photographers primarily is the lack of a viewfinder option. On the other hand, manufacturers seem convinced that this is no longer a problem.
Despite these reservations, I am looking forward to getting more familiar with one of the most interesting cameras to hit the market in the past twelve months.
PetaPixel reports on the Sigma BF
But… is Chris wrong about the Sigma BF
Join the conversation
What do you think of the Sigma BF? Stunning, isn’t it? But is it practical? Is it a camera you would spend a couple of thousand on? And do you belong target audience? In fact, what is the target audience? The BF represents a bold move by Sigma and it deserves success. Please let us know your views on this controversial little camera.
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- According to PetaPixel, BF stands for “Beautiful Foolishness”, a phrase from a Japanese poem, The Book of Tea. It refers to forgetting the worries of life and concentrating on simple pleasures ↩︎
- There are 13 colour modes: Standard, Rich, Calm, Powder Blue, Warm Gold, Teal and Orange, FOV Classic Blue, FOV Classic Yellow, Forest Green, Sunset Red, Cinema, 709 Look, Monochrome ↩︎
I was inspired by this article and others to take the plunge and I’m now the proud owner of a near mint condition silver TL2. I sold my TL about 4.5 years ago and have regretted it ever since. It had its quirks but remains unique even up against the Sigma BF.
Good choice Tom. Hope you enjoy the camera second time around. I think it’s a good choice. Mike
Interesting move from Sigma but truth be told, for this type of money I am probably more inclined to buy a Sony a7cII ($200 more expensive) than a Sigma BF. An APS-C BF would have been an instant buy given the ability to re-use my Leica TL (and Sigma) APS-C lenses. Investing in yet another full frame system though with an unknown future… probably not for me at this point in time. Also, although the Sigma i-series lenses are small and light, this system is really screaming for a few pancake lenses.
It looks a lot better than using a phone. It is nice to have options. I am waiting for the ultimate foveon camera.
I’ll go against the grain, here: to me this is a very silly design.
I think I’m influenced by Steward Brand, who was reviewing a Bang & Olufsen Stereo system … also noted for its ‘design’. Brand asked ‘can you operate it in the dark?’ I’ll add, ‘In low light?’
I’m no philosopher, but I believe the word here is ‘affordances’ — ways you can grasp the use. In this sense, I think the M series is far more elegant and beautiful.
IMHO, as the saying goes.
Interesting. What do you think of the S9? It’s a very similar camera in use to the Sigma BF, but it is now a lot cheaper and offers a bit more. I really cannot make up my mind how it will sell.
From watching and reading various reviews it seems to me most reviewers are traditional photographers and want what they are use to.
This camera looks to me to be a fairly radical change and a beautiful piece of design. It’s the type of camera that will appeal to certain people who are inspired by its beauty and simplicity.
No evf? Who cares million take pictures without them. I had a Nikon cool pix A and never missed an evf. No card? Great one less thing to lose. No ibis? No big deal none of my film cameras for 30 years didn’t have ibis.
As a CL owner with a lot of sigma I series glass this looks like a great replacement when the CL gives up.
I think this camera could be a great travel camera with the sigma 24/3.5 45/2.8 and 90/2.8. It might even suit the yet to be released voigtlander 50/3.5 pancake.
Looking forward to your full review.
Thanks, Russell. I am certainly keen to get hold of a review camera. Sigma as a company is very helpful and have an excellent distributor here in the UK. So, fingers crossed.
“No evf? Who cares..” Well, anybody who wants to frame or compose their image accurately and outdoors in bright light I imagine.
Those people (myself included) probably won’t purchase the camera. My phone generally becomes next to useless for photography in such situations. If you simplified an M camera by removing the rangefinder and had to rely on the back screen only for composition I don’t think it would be a popular choice.Russell, I wonder why you bought the CL instead of a TL2? Isn’t the main difference between the two the fact that the CL has an EVF? For myself, The BF wouldn’t replace the CL for precisely that reason.The Sigma BF concept and simplified menu system sure looks interesting but without a finder of some sort I’d soon get frustrated with it even with Sigma’s excellent compact lenses attached.Now, having said that, I’m keen to see what Mike can do with the BF when he gets his hands on one!
I’m not sure on this one. A very small body is great until you stick a lens on and all the advantages fall away. I imagine it will look and feel better with a smaller pancake-like prime such as the Leica 18mm 2.8, but that’s not a very high quality lens unfortunately. Between this and the Leica TL2, I’d much rather have the latter as that touchscreen interface was a marvellous thing.
When I was handling the BF, I kept thinking of the TL and mumbling, “come back TL, all is forgiven”. If they had upgraded the TL to a full-frame sensor, which I suspect would have been possible (but Jonathan Slack might know otherwise), it would be a better camera. The touch interface was excellent and, at least, it had a hotshoe. While we can all get used to using a camera like a smartphone, it’s nice to have the option of slotting in an EVF when needed. I think the Lumix S9 falls into the same trap as the BF, although it does at least allow the mounting of an optical viewfinder.
Hi Mike – I once saw a picture of a TL3 with a built in EVF – I think it was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever seen – it had a kind of curved hump on the top to fit the EVF – beautiful! Not so sure about full frame!
Hmmm. I think I saw that somewhere. Pity it didn’t go into production.