My Ultimate Sigma FP Rig with Dark Power Labs Accessories
My heavily modified Sigma FP camera with Dark Power Labs accessories.
I've been a fan of the Sigma FP for a while now, and as you can see, mine is heavily modified using parts from the Dark Power Labs catalog. I'm not affiliated with the company; I just genuinely love their products. One day, while scrolling through the Sigma FP Facebook groups, I stumbled upon their gear—and let's just say they quickly took my money!
These accessories have solved many of the issues I initially had with the Sigma FP. In my opinion, this setup is the absolute best when it comes to recording to an SSD with the Sigma FP. There are countless ways to rig up your camera depending on your needs, but I believe this combination offers the most versatility for capturing high-quality shots in my personal projects.
All the parts mentioned in this post will have links at the end if you'd like to check them out. Some of them are affiliate links, so beware!
The Core: Dark Power Labs Cage
Starting with the core of my rig, I use the Dark Power Labs cage. I'm a big fan of its design—it's minimal and doesn't add unnecessary bulk to the camera. Plus, it's designed to work seamlessly with the rest of Dark Power Labs' ecosystem, which is really cool.
The minimalistic Dark Power Labs cage.
Storage Solution: Samsung 980 Pro SSD and Caddy
For storage, I opted for the Samsung 980 Pro SSD. It's a fourth-generation NVMe drive offering speeds up to 6,000 MB/s read and write. That's way beyond what the Sigma FP can output through its USB port, but I'd rather have more power than less.
The SSD caddy from Dark Power Labs is another gem. It includes a tiny fan that automatically kicks in to manage the heat generated by the SSD. The fan is super quiet—you can barely hear it—even when recording 12-bit 4K RAW footage.
The SSD caddy keeps the drive cool with a near-silent fan.
The Game Changer: Tilting Monitor Mod
One of the most noticeable features of my rig is the tilting monitor mod. Installing it was nerve-wracking, but the kit from Dark Power Labs includes everything you need. It does require patience, but once it's done, it works perfectly. I still can't believe Sigma designed the camera without a tilt screen!
The tilting monitor mod adds much-needed flexibility.
Extended Battery Life: Battery Grip for NP-F Batteries
The battery grip has significantly increased the usability of my Sigma FP. It allows me to use NP-F batteries, which greatly extend the camera's runtime when recording 12-bit 4K RAW. On a typical shoot, I only need to change batteries two or three times, which is a big improvement over carrying around multiple smaller batteries.
Using NP-F batteries for extended shooting sessions.
External Monitoring: Portkeys BM5 Monitor
At the top of the camera, I have a Portkeys BM5 monitor—a 5-inch external display that's been serving me well. However, I'm considering upgrading to the new SmallHD Indie 5 or the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G for even better monitoring options.
The Portkeys BM5 provides a clear and bright display.
Reliable Cables: ZILR Pro HDMI and SDI Cables
For HDMI and SDI connections, I trust ZILR Pro cables. They're an Australian company, and although I'm not entirely sure how to pronounce their name, their products are top-notch. I've been using their cables for years without any issues.
Additional Accessories
Top Handle: SmallRig
I use a basic SmallRig top handle. It's the perfect size—not too big or cumbersome—and makes handling the camera much easier. I've also added the SmallRig AirTag mount, which is a simple yet effective way to keep track of my gear.
The SmallRig top handle and AirTag mount for convenience and security.
Filtration: Abracam Matte Box
For filtration, I'm using the Abracam matte box from a small company in France. What I love most about this matte box is the ability to stack multiple filters and accommodate a large 4-inch circular polarizing filter at the back.
The Abracam matte box allows for versatile filter stacking.
Lens Selection
I have a variety of lenses that I use with this camera:
7artisans Cine Lens Set
Canon 24-105mm f/4L
Canon 17-40mm f/4L
Meike Photo Lenses (I'll be doing a review on these soon!)
If you're interested in the upcoming Meike lenses review, please hit the subscribe button to stay updated.
Real-World Use and Recommendations
I've used this rig on many of my projects, including a trip to Ecuador. Initially, I had an alternative SSD setup from Dark Power Labs. However, due to the size of that caddy, there were limited SSD options that could handle the demands of shooting RAW on the Sigma FP. Some of those SSDs would overheat, causing a loud coil whine that even got picked up by the camera's audio.
That's why I recommend getting the larger NVMe SSD setup from Dark Power Labs. It provides more options for high-performance SSDs that can consistently handle the camera's output without overheating.
Final Thoughts
Overall, I love this rig. It has transformed my Sigma FP into a versatile and reliable tool that's perfect for my personal projects. The combination of Dark Power Labs accessories and carefully chosen components has addressed many of the camera's limitations.
Let me know in the comments what you think I could improve on this rig. I hope I was able to give you some insights into the possibilities of rigging your Sigma FP.
If you want to see my favorite feature about the Sigma FP, check out this video where I explain how important it is for Sigmatographers to understand EL Zoom.
Links to Products Mentioned:
Sigma fp: https://amzn.to/43iGTEQ
Sigma EVF-11: https://amzn.to/44ksQAi
ZILR HDMI Cable 4K: https://amzn.to/3D7ymtQ
DJI RS3 Mini: https://amzn.to/44tLEgc
SMALLRIG Cage for AirTag: https://amzn.to/44yX4z4
SMALLRIG Mini Top Handle: https://amzn.to/448M8IF
7artisans Full Frame Cine Lens Kit: https://amzn.to/3NIh7Ej
DPL fp Modular Cage Sigma fp L SSD slot LVF rotator: https://tinyurl.com/5n8myum6
DPL M80DT SSD case M.2 2280: https://tinyurl.com/yt64rp3k
Samsung 990 PRO Series - 2TB NVMe: https://amzn.to/3PRKCX0
DPL Sigma fp Flip Screen Modification: https://tinyurl.com/32tfu7vj
DPL Sigma fp BH2 battery grip: https://tinyurl.com/38a9bz77
Abracam ClipOne 3F114 Matte box: https://tinyurl.com/3ya34d7c
Firecrest Ultra Cine Superslim Kit: https://tinyurl.com/y6mknntp
(Some of these are affiliate links.)
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