Everything we know about Sigma's FP full-frame cine camera

There is one camera that has piqued the interest of a lot of people, and that's the Sigma FP full frame 'cine camera'. We grilled Cine Product Specialist, Brian Linhoff from Sigma to get the latest information on this tiny little camera, and we almost, almost got a price for it. We also took a close look at the company's new FF Classic Primes.

The Sigma FP is interesting for two big reasons. The first is that it is tiny. The second is that it is tiny, yet full-frame. Sigma were showing off the new, as yet unreleased, camera at IBC this year, and we spoke with the company about the thinking behind it. Brian Linhoff, Cine Product Specialist at Sigma told us "The idea behind this camera is to be incredibly modular... It's small and light, but you can build this out however you want." He went on to say "One of the key things is that it does 12-bit CinemaDNG out to USB-C to a small solid state drive."

Brian wouldn't be drawn on pricing, or a firm release date, other than to tell us that it would be 'under $10000' and be released before the end of 2019. Watch this space!

FF Classic lenses 

DPs are often looking for lenses with 'character' to take the digital edge off their cinematography and inject another form of emotional connection with the audience. At this years IBC Sigma were showing off its impressive line of FF Classic Prime line of lenses. The new cine lenses are based on the company's Art primes and Cine series, but with a brand new coating system to give a much more 'classic' look. Brian told us "A Classic lens for us is a vintage look and feel to the glass with modern resolution".

The new glass would seem to appeal to what seems to be an unsatiable demand for that elusive organic, non-digital look that cinematographers often desire. Whether or not such a look is truly quantifiable is another matter, but the new lens coatings, applied to both the front and rear elements, eshew the more modern penchant for eliminating flaring and ghosting, instead actively promoting such artefacts.

it is certainly interesting that the sorts of problems cinematographers once went out of their way to avoid, often using quite elaborate systems of flagging to avoid, are now actively sought after. One can only assume that things will come full circle eventually once again, but in the meantime it means that DPs can now access pretty much any type of look they desire due to the choice of glass on offer. Watch our interview with Sigma below and let us know what you think in the comments below.

The new lenses will be available at the end of 2019 with focal lengths ranging from 14mm to 135mm.