6 Must-have Video Accessories for the Sigma fp L

The Sigma fp L (Amazon, B&H) is a peculiar video camera. If you add the following accessories it has the potential to become a proper Director’s Viewfinder and be an integral part of filmmaker’s gear bag.

1 Atomos Ninja V

The Atomos Ninja V (Amazon, B&H) is a highly affordable monitor and external recorder.

Why would you need an external recorder? The Sigma fp L (Amazon, B&H) has limited video exposure features. This is what you get extra with the Ninja V:

Extra exposure tools like false color, vectorscope, blue-only noise, etc.
The ability to upload 3D LUTs.
Record to Prores or DNxHR format for a simpler editing experience. You get to choose multiple data rates depending on the kind of project you’re doing.
Get the option to shoot 12-bit Prores RAW in 4K DCI up to 24 fps.
Externally recording to the in-built SSD will be manageable as RAW files are big.

The Sigma fp L (Amazon, B&H) has a Type D micro HDMI port, so you’ll also need a Type A to Type D micro HDMI cable. BlueRigger is a decent brand (Amazon, B&H).

You can mount the Ninja V on the camera via simple ball mount (Amazon, B&H). One end goes into the hot shoe mount that comes with the camera and the ball mount allows you to swivel the monitor in any direction.

2 Samsung 2TB T5 Portable Solid-State Drive

The Sigma fp L (Amazon, B&H) has a single SD card slot that takes UHS-II SDXC memory cards. If you do choose to shoot without an external recorder and in 12-bit CinemaDNG, that memory card will be a handicap.

It is always safer to record to a portable SSD like the Samsung 2TB T5 Portable Solid-State Drive (Amazon, B&H). It can easily take the huge file sizes of CinemaDNG 12 bit recordings and you don’t have to switch out anything in every few minutes.

You also need to use the SSD connection if you want to shoot at 120 fps. If you need sustained 4K in CinemaDNG at 12-bit, you are limited to recording to your SSD using the portable SSD connection. No, I am not suggesting this. You literally cannot record 12-bit CinemaDNG to an SD card, Sigma fp L does not allow it.

3 Sigma LVF-11 LCD Viewfinder

Sigma fp L’s LCD display will fall short once you go out in the field in bright daylight. To make it easier for you to frame your shots, you will need the Sigma LVF-11 LCD viewfinder (Amazon, B&H).

This viewfinder by Sigma is exclusively for SIGMA fp series. This viewfinder is mounted over the LCD monitor and it cuts out extraneous light. It has a diopter adjustment of -2 to +1 dpt. The 2.5x magnification will help you to check focus and compose your shots.

The pricing is reasonable, making this viewfinder a necessary addition in your gear bag.

4 Sigma MC-31 PL to L mount Adapter

If you plan on using this camera as a director’s viewfinder, then you will definitely need the Sigma MC-31 PL to L mount adapter (Amazon, B&H). PL mount is the most commonly used mount in cine lenses. The lens adapter has aluminum alloy construction with brass mounts to bear the weight of PL mount cine lenses.

A removable tripod support foot also helps to stabilize the camera-lens system and the adapter’s design permits removing the screw thread, and releasing the stopper of the locking ring, in order to safely attach PL lenses that require tighter mounting than the M-31’s native specifications.

The adapter also has shim adjustments on two points of the mount, and an L-mount shim kit is included, for adjusting on either the camera or lens side of the adapter.

5 Wooden Camera 1/4″-20 Threaded Wood Handgrip

Sigma fp L as a director’s viewfinder is bound to get heavy. You will need a proper grip to maintain your balance while you frame your shots.

The Wooden Camera 1/4″-20 Threaded Wood Handgrip (Amazon, B&H) attaches to the camera’s tripod mount for more secure handheld shooting.

Wood is the preferred material for grips due to their comfort. You could buy cheaper plastic alternatives, or the uber expensive DENZ Universal Handgrip.

6 VisibleDust EZ Sensor Cleaning Kit PLUS

I’m pretty sure you weren’t expecting this.

Mirrorless cameras have one disadvantage over DSLRs, and that is their sensors are too close to the opening for the lens. This means it’s very easy for dust to settle on the sensor.

When you stop down the lens, you will see dust spots in your photographs or videos. It’s easy to remove in photos, but very tough in videos, especially when there’s motion.

The best system I’ve found, and one I use on all my mirrorless cameras, is the VisibleDust EZ Sensor Cleaning Kit PLUS Orange (Amazon, B&H)

The Orange swab is better than the green one, because it is finer and easier on your sensor. The kit (Amazon, B&H) contains:

VDust Plus liquid cleaner (1.15ml) – for oil and water stains, and provides a mild static barrier
5x orange 1.0x DHAP Vswabs and,
1x sensor brush

It goes without saying if you have stains you are unsure about, it’s better to get your camera serviced at an authorized service center. But sometimes in the field that’s not possible, and you have to keep shooting.

Once you get the hang of cleaning your sensor yourself, you’ll wonder what the fuss was all about. As long as you are careful and follow the instructions precisely (don’t mix and match liquids and products), you should be okay.

Here’s a video on how to use this: