The (Beautiful Foolish?) Sigma BF

In a world filled with predictable gear and safe bets, this camera has made me rethink photography. But would I buy it, and is it right for you? Here are my thoughts after a couple weeks of hands on experience with the Sigma BF. And shout out to my friend @beaconfilmphoto for putting up with my camera testing in NYC.

[Rangefinder]

3:08 That right there, is why you're the best gear channel out there. I mean who'd think of that? Everyone would've stuck to the rigid format of just the features, ergonomics, bla bla bla—but you did all of those and this, having a genuine conversation with a bartender about the camera—shows how much of a people person you are. And it makes sense, cause in the end, people are the ones who'll operate the camera, see it, stare at it, love it and/or maybe hate it. LOVE IT more than the camera. You're the best!

[andrsbe]

protect sigma camera division at all costs

[darzee]

I think you’re one of the few people who actually understand this camera. Instead of looking at what the camera doesn’t have, you nailed exactly what this camera does have, what it means, what it’s for. Thanks for another great video!

[thissidetowardscreen]

I miss the time when camera companies would take risks and explore different shapes and ergonomics. When I first saw the BF I was like wow, now seeing the reviews, I think it is a good camera in an elegant package. I never been one to buy new cameras. Nor buy on whim, unless the price is insanely low. All cameras to me can be used to accomplish a task. but not all make it easy! Only time I ever had someone ask me what kinds of camera I was shooting with was when I shot with a Super 8 film camera. Style is great as long as the functionality is not overly compromised! Thanks for sharing and always great content!

[patrick]

Great video as usual! I agree that this camera is a piece of art, and a conversation starter. I hope sigma eventually makes a pancake prime for this beauty just to complete the look; those I series primes are beautiful but they kinda look disproportional with that thin metal slab of a body. Loved your street shots in NYC, and that hotel room looks wild!

[shlawchablaas]

Really cool that after Leica sort of gave up on the TL series, Sigma came back in to create something that perfectly embodies that spirit, but updated and reimagined. I think pairing one with a silver 18mm Elmarit-TL could be a really nice balance in hand. So nice seeing another video from you!

[noenken]

Great review and I agree: Not a camera I would use but as a statement from Sigma it is quite something.
I do hope they haven't abandoned the mechanical shutter entirely though.

[philippegiorgionizzola]

I like your "sensual" approach to photography. We forget that beyond technology, there is the pleasure and the feeling of what you feel, see, look, express and the "image quality" as the result of this journey... Thanks and it is always great that to present these experiences is such a pretty woman :-))

[DeanAllman]

You are not alone on the EVF. It’s a deal-breaker for me with a lot of these cameras. Great review!

[henrybeckmeyer]

I don’t think I’d have a problem just shooting with the LCD (I shot for about two years with the Ricoh GR3), but it somehow does bother me that there’s not even a cold shoe available if you wanted to use an accessory OVF. Everything else about the camera appeals to me - I enjoy the challenge of a “strange” operating system. It pushes you outside your boundaries a bit. That can be a good thing.
Great episode, as usual!

[video-carl]

Great to hear your enthusiasm for this design. I heard the interface was designed for one-handed use, and some reviews discovered how to use as they tried the bf

[pdtech]

Interesting camera 📷
I really like the design, it looks unique.
The images seem top notch.

[MrJed_s]

RE "It's a phone", my first reaction is "I don't enjoy shooting with my phone". There's something about a mechanical shutter, good ergonomics, real clicky dials dedicated to changing a single setting so you always know how they'll react, and framing with an EVF that appeals to me. I'm a millennial who got into photograhy with a phone, and I don't just want to recreate that experience but with better IQ. Great to see something different on the market though!

[gustavmoritz]

Great to see a new video again this morning! Nice start of the day!

[bloomylicious]

Great video :) found you when researching the Sigma foveon cameras, hope to own one, one day. I'd definitely love to hold and try to use this camera, though practically I think it would get on my nerves.

That being said I think anything different, that excites people to try photography, or forces people to get creative, is good fun and I hope we see more of it.

[minka]

Lol the last scene! I had no idea, brilliant. I hope it means you will be reviewing the D200!!!

[AnthonyJGianotti]

The review of this camera I have been waiting for! No evf or hotshoe is an interesting choice though. Seems like it would be a baller day flash street camera, where the flash could be swapped for an accessory evf.

[JeffJacquesmd]

I am an avid amateur photographer. Love street, candids, environmental portraiture. I’ve found the esthetics of a device matter, changes the way I feel about using, carrying and “bonding” with an addition to my every day carry.
I pre-ordered this camera, having just gifted my niece the Fuji X100 VI that I found unengaging.
Shooting it with a TT Artisan 50/1.2 wide open with a ND filter. The two together paint light quite beautifully

Great video review, love the way you talk about photography. New sub

[Myein]

Love the Still images style videos, like Chris Marker does. Cool video as always, I learn a lot from them. I really hope Sigma is preparing another Foveon camera!

[snappiness]

2:51 this is such a real point for those of us with kids lol I have definitely thought through this exact scenario with cameras 😂