Sigma pushes the edge of camera design once again by eliminating featured, buttons, and bulk. Is it the right direction?
BLUF – I like the concept.
Billed as balancing performance with simplicity the BF is aimed at content creators. With 6K L-Log video and 230GB of on-board memory this camera is a buy it and use it device.
With its simplified menu, lack of dials or buttons, and a monocoque aluminum body housing a full-frame sensor the BF does not lack for image size or quality.
L-Mount Compatible
Buying into the L-Mount world may have been one of the smartest decisions I have made when dealing with camera gear. With an already decent array of lenses I can swap bodies to try new things with little to no extra investment.
The BF shares some design concepts with the Panasonic S9 I own as well as Sigma’s own FP while pushing the aesthetic a little further into austere features. In truth I hope to get my hands on one to test.
Do you like it?
I’m curious what you think. I can see this camera being a real hot button item with strong feelings on both sides of the like it and hate it crowds. For me at this moment I like it. Cameras have gotten far too busy from when I started shooting and it’s time they walked back a bit. The BF may be too far for some but for others it’s just right.
Click for full specifications.
Type
Interchangeable-lens Mirrorless Type Digital Camera
Memory Media
Internal Memory (Approx. 230 GB) , USB Storage (for Backup)
Lens Mount
L-Mount
Image sensor
35 mm full-frame (35.9 mm x 23.9 mm) Back-illuminated CMOS sensor
Camera Effective Pixels / Total Pixels
Approx. 24.6 MP / Approx. 25.3 MP
Still Image File Format
Lossless compression RAW (DNG) 14-bit / JPEG (Exif3.0) ,
RAW(DNG) + JPEG: recording is possible
Image Aspect Ratio
[21:9], [16:9], [3:2], [A Size], [4:3], [6×7], [1:1]
File Size RAW
6016 x 4012
File Size JPEG
6016 x 4012
Crop
3840 x 2560 (Equivalent to Approx.1.5 times the focal length)
Movie Format
MOV: H.264, H.265, L-Log
Audio Format
Linear PCM (4ch 48 kHz / 16-bit: Max)
Movie Recording Size / Frame Rate
6K* (6K: 6016 x 3384) / 23.98, 25, 29.97 fps *Cannot be used in conjunction with EIS UHD 4K / 23.98, 25, 29.97 fps FHD / 23.98, 25, 29.97, 50, 59.94, 100, 119.88 fps
Continuous Shooting Enable Time
2 hours
Focus – AF System / Focus Mode
Image Plane Phase-Detection AF + Contrast detection system / Single AF, Continuous AF (with moving object prediction function), Manual Focus
Focus – AF Sensitivity Range
-5~18 EV (F1.4：ISO 100)
1-Point AF, Area AF, Subject Tracking AF (Human + Animal, Human, Animal)
Focus – AF Lock
Half-press the shutter button
Focus – Other Focus Functions
AF+MF, Full-time AF+MF, MF Magnification (Full Screen, PIP (2x / 4x / 8x) ), MF Auto Review, Focus Peaking, Focus Ring Control (Non-linear, Linear)
Metering Mode
Evaluative, Spot Metering
Exposure Control – Still Image Shooting Mode
(P) Program AE, (S) Shutter Speed Priority AE, (A) Aperture Priority AE, (M) Manual
Exposure Control – Movie Shooting Mode
(P) Program AE, (S) Shutter Speed Priority AE, (A) Aperture Priority AE, (M) Manual
Exposure Control – ISO Sensitivity
Base ISO
[Still] ISO 320
[Movie] MOV: ISO 320, Log: ISO 1250
Settable Range
ISO 100-102400 / Expanded sensitivity ISO 6, 12, 25, 50
Exposure Control – Exposure Compensation
±5 EV (in 1/3 stop increments)
Exposure Control – AE Lock
Operated via touch
Exposure Control – Exposure Bracket
3 shots, 5 shots stage exposure ±3 EV (1/3 Step, Standard→Underexposure→Overexposure) (Sequence changeable)
Exposure Assist
Brightness Level Monitor (Histogram) , Zebra Pattern, False Color
Image Stabilization System
Electronic Image Stabilization (EIS) for Video Only
Exposure Control – Metering Range
-7~20 EV (50mm F1.4: ISO 100)
White Balance
8 types
(Auto, Auto [Lighting Source Priority] , Incandescent, Fluorescent, Manual [50K steps] , Daylight, Overcast, Shade, Flash) , Custom 1-10 settings can be added , AWB lock function
Shutter – Shutter Type
Electronic shutter
Shutter – Shutter Speed
1/25600 – 30 seconds, Bulb (up to 5 minutes)
Self Timer
2 sec., 10 sec. (Countdown Indicator)
Drive – Drive Modes
Single Capture, Continuous, Exposure Bracketing, Focus Bracketing, Interval Timer
Drive – Continuous Drive Speed
Selectable frame rates (3, 5, 8 fps)
Drive – Number of Recordable Frames
JPEG: 1000 frames, DNG: 350 frames
Monitor / Coverage
TFT color LCD, Aspect Ratio 3:2, 3.15 type, Approx. 2.1M dots , Electrostatic capacitance system touch panel / Approx. 100%
Color Mode
13 types
Standard, Rich, Calm, Powder Blue, Warm Gold, Teal and Orange, FOV Classic Blue, FOV Classic Yellow, Forest Green, Sunset Red, Cinema, 709 Look, Monochrome
Built-in Microphone / Speaker
Stereo Microphone / Monaural Speaker
Display Language
English, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Danish, Dutch, Finnish, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Norwegian, Polish, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish, Swedish
Interface USB Type-C
USB 10 Gbps (USB 3.2) Compatible (Mass Storage, UVC, UAC, External Video Output, Charging / Power Delivery) REMOTE: Supports Cable Release External Microphone and Headphone Output: Supported
Dust and Splash Resistant Structure*
Provided
*Although this construction allows the lens to be used in light rain, it is not the same as being waterproof.
Power – Source
Li-ion Battery Pack BP-81
Power – Number of Recordable Still Images
Approx. 260 images
Power – Minutes of Recordable Continuous Shooting
Approx. 60 min.
Dimensions and Weight – Dimensions (W x H x D)
Approx. 130.1 x 72.8 x 36.8 mm / 5.1 x 2.9 x 1.4 in.
Dimensions and Weight – Weight
Approx. 446 g / 15.7 oz. (including battery) , Approx. 388 g / 13.7 oz. (Camera Body Only)
Operating Environment – Operating Temperature
32 to 104 °F / 0 to + 40 °C
Operating Environment – Operating Humidity
85% or less (non-condensing)
Supplied Accessories
Li-ion Battery Pack BP-81
Metal Body Cap (Black / Silver)
Start Guide
Limited Warranty
Warranty Sticker
Optional Accessories
Cable Release CR-51
Battery Charger BC-81
Hand Strap HS-11B
Hand Strap HS-11G