So… The SIGMA BF: Of Course, I Want One… Just Look At The Thing.
Aluminum monoblock? Stripped down redone control system. This is proper weird. God bless those insane SIGMA engineers. This approaches Foveon and dp2 Quattro levels of weirdness. It is not even a lot of money for this weirdness.
Will I get one?
No.
A few reasons.
Up above I said “approaches Foveon and dp2 Quattro levels of weirdness”. Emphasis on approaches. Not enough weirdness. Inside this beauty is a standard issue sensor. Put more plainly no Foveon. I will keep my current properly weird Foveon sensor SIGMA camera thank you very much.
That is more like it. Not only do you have access to a Foveon sensor,…
…but you also get access to nondestructive Infrared digital photography.
I do get it. This thing needs to appeal to normal folks. You know, those who want:
- A sensor that actually exists.
- A full-frame Foveon is so far just the stuff of occasional rumor posts.
- To shoot video.
- Yeah. Not a thing with a Foveon sensor.
- Write times that are not measured with a sundial.
- A camera that will not become blazing hot with continuos use.
- A camera that does not lock up menus until the card stops writing.
So, I get it. I also get why a full frame variant does not exist. As oddball as SIGMA can be at times they are a company… Companies need to make money so making a camera for three other folks worldwide and me would not do it. Moving on.
No pancake lens.
This minimalist beast screams pancake lens. But I keep seeing this camera featured with the L variant of the very nice but not all that small SIGMA Contemporary 45mm f/2.8.
A lens that did not make the cut on my Sony at the end of the day. What I would like to see is something like the Remaster Slim kit size wise.
A monoblock that could fit in my jacket pocket? Yes, please.
Another mount to feed.
The last thing I need is another lens mount to feed. I just recently traded two digital and one analog lens mounts for one fixed lens camera. This would be a reversal of that move. Nope.
What I have not mentioned.
The lack of a hotshoe, SD card, and other stuff.
Meh. I would give all of those up for this beauty. This is not meant to be a “normal”, hybrid, or one camera solution. A bit of a boutique thing and I like it.
Money tree in hand and/or if I already used L mount gear I would have already preordered one admittedly.
Their decisions make sense. I even love the name and it captures the spirit perfectly.
Beautiful Foolishness.
Hats off to SIGMA.
Happy capturing.
-ELW
Eric L. Woods 