02/03/2026 1:15 am
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So I finally bit the bullet and got a Sigma fp for some short film work here in London but man that screen is just impossible to use outdoors. I love the image quality but I am struggling so hard with focus because the built-in LCD is just so tiny and doesnt tilt. I have been looking at options for an external monitor and keep seeing the Atomos Ninja V mentioned everywhere as the standard. But then I saw some forum posts saying the Blackmagic Video Assist 12G is actually the way to go if I want to record BRAW specifically and now I am just confused. Some people say the HDMI connection on the Sigma is a bit finicky with certain brands and I really dont want to drop 500 or 600 quid on something that is gonna flicker or lose signal mid-take. I am on a pretty tight budget since I just bought a bunch of L-mount glass and I need to have a working rig by the end of next month for a music video shoot.
- Atomos Ninja V vs Blackmagic Video Assist?
- Is there a cheaper option like Feelworld that actually works with the RAW output?
- Does anyone have experience with the power draw issues when running both the camera and monitor off a v-mount?
I just need something reliable that wont break the bank or my brain trying to set it up. Which monitors are you guys actually using with your Sigma setups?
6 Answers
12
02/03/2026 1:16 am
I remember my first shoot with the Sigma fp in direct sunlight; I might as well have been looking into a mirror for all the good that screen did me. I missed focus on a key shot because I couldnt see the peaking, so I totally get the frustration. If youre looking at the Blackmagic Design Video Assist 5 inch 12G HDR, be careful about the file formats. If you want BRAW, thats your only real choice, whereas the Atomos Ninja V 5 inch 4K HDMI Recording Monitor forces you into ProRes RAW. Personally, I would suggest the Blackmagic because the integration feels more stable for longer takes, though it does run a bit hotter. Whatever you do, dont cheap out on the cables or the power solution. Ive seen way too many rigs fail because of a dodgy 10 quid HDMI cord.
- Make sure to get a dedicated cable clamp or a full cage like the SmallRig Cage for Sigma fp Series 2271 to protect that tiny micro-HDMI port. Its the weakest link on the whole camera.
- If you go V-mount, use a regulated plate. Unregulated power can fry the internal board if theres a spike. The cheaper Feelworld monitors are okay for framing, but honestly, if you want RAW, dont even bother with the budget stuff. They just wont handle the data stream and youll get those flickers youre worried about. Better to buy once and cry once than lose a client over a black screen mid-interview.
12
02/03/2026 2:00 am
I am super satisfied with the Feelworld LUT7 7 Inch 2200nit High Brightness Monitor. It works well in bright sun and saved me heaps of cash since I didnt need RAW recording. Totally worth it.
3
02/03/2026 10:47 am
Seconded!
3
27/03/2026 12:50 am
Helpful thread 👍
2
02/03/2026 1:40 am
Building on the earlier suggestion, be cautious about jumping straight into RAW recorders.
- Do you strictly require RAW for this shoot?
- Whats your total media storage budget? Monitoring-only options might be safer tho...
2
03/03/2026 4:15 pm
Unfortunately, the micro-HDMI port on the fp is a major weak point and I have had issues with signal dropouts during critical takes. It is quite disappointing for a pro-level camera. If you can live without RAW recording for this specific music video, the Portkeys LH5P II 5.5 Inch 2200nit Touchscreen Monitor is a strong alternative. It is bright enough for outdoor use, but I found the touch interface is not as good as expected and feels a bit clunky compared to the Atomos logic. I also tested the Portkeys BM5 WR 5.5 Inch 2200nit Monitor which is built like a tank and offers wireless control for some cameras, though for the Sigma you still need the cable. The power draw is unfortunately massive tho. When running that and the fp off a small v-mount like the FXLION NANO ONE 50Wh 14.8V V-Mount Battery, I barely got an hour of runtime. It is a bit of a headache to manage on set if you dont have a stack of batteries ready. If you decide to go the Portkeys route, just be prepared for a steeper learning curve with their software compared to the more mainstream brands.
