Blog / Resources Next Generation Director’s Finder The ubiquitous Director’s finder has been an essential part of the DP’s toolkit since the invention of film but the recent innovation and widespread adoption of mobile phone apps which mimic this functionality, have massively reduced their popularity. The latest generation of Director’s Viewfinders are digital (no surprises there!) and offer considerable advantages over the standard optical Director’s finder, as they manage to be ‘sensor and aspect ratio agnostic’, which also permitting full 4K image and motion capture, in a device with a form factor which would not be out of place on a film set. Here is DP Claudio Cadman and Senior Tech, Joao Ferreira’s take on the Sigma FP. The Sigma FP as a Director’s Viewfinder: A Versatile and Powerful Choice In the filmmaking industry, choosing the right tools for each stage of the process is essential. Among these tools, the Director’s Viewfinder is essential for directors and cinematographers. By combining compactness and flexibility, the Sigma FP is a highly attractive option for fulfilling this role. What is a Director’s Viewfinder? A Director’s Viewfinder is a tool that allows filmmakers to visualize and plan framing, focus, and composition even before the main camera is on set. Traditionally, dedicated viewfinders (illustrated) are compact analogue or digital devices, which are in essence a lens and prism to enable the cinematographer to see what the image that the camera would see. This means that the lens employed needs to be a similar size to the sensor being employed. This used to be easy when film was just 35mm, but today means that you may need VistaVision, Large Format, Full Frame, or Super-35. This is the MCS S-35 Director’s Viewfinder. One problem with optical viewfinders, is that you need specially designed optics if you want to shoot in anamorphic. Worse still, for each specific aspect ratio and camera sensor, you need to mark the safety zone of the viewfinder, which is not always as exacting as DP’s might like. This is the Denz anamorphic Director’s viewfinder. Why the Sigma FP? Advancements in technology, have found new applications for mirrorless cameras like the Sigma FP and these give added advantages. The Sigma FP stands out in the market as the smallest and lightest full-frame mirrorless camera available, weighing just 370 grams (body only), making it one of the most compact choices for a Director’s Viewfinder. Not only that, the Sigma FP has specific features that make it particularly useful in this role: Modularity The Sigma FP is designed to be highly modular. It can be adapted with cages, external monitors, follow focus systems, and other essential filmmaking equipment, ensuring it integrates seamlessly into any workflow. We love the custom wooden grip The Vocas cage gives the device a satisfyingly solid feel and the Vocas PL mount that we provide as standard allows film lenses to be securely mounted with confidence and we also have an LPL version of the same which covers most LPL-mount lenses. Cine Mode With a simple switch, the Sigma FP can toggle between Still (photography) and Cine (video) modes. In Cine mode, the interface transforms to prioritize essential filming controls, such as frame rate, resolution, and codec. Lens Compatibility As a camera with an L-Mount, the Sigma FP is compatible with a wide range of lenses from Sigma, Leica, and Panasonic, as well as cinema lenses via adapters. This allows directors to use lenses identical or similar to those that will be used on the main camera. The fp series is equipped with a director’s viewfinder function that can simulate the angle of view of various brands’ cinema cameras. The wide variety of modes includes Anamorphic Desqueeze. Cinema cameras supported ARRI ARRI CAM / ARRIFLEX, ALEXA LF/ ALEXA Mini LF, ALEXA SXT, ALEXA Mini, AMIRA, ALEXA65, ALEXA XT SONY VENICE RED MONSTRO 8K, HELIUM 8K, DRAGON 6K, EPIC MX 5K, GEMINI 5K, KOMODO 6K Anamorphic Simulation Modes The Sigma FP allows simulation of aspect ratios and anamorphic desqueezes directly in camera. This is ideal for film projects that use anamorphic lenses, enabling the director to see exactly how the scene will appear in the final format. This image was taken with the Cooke Anamorphic x1.8 FF 85mm, using the Director’s Viewfinder mode set to “Arri Alexa Mini LF – LF 16:9 (x1.8)”. Credit Joao Ferreira Frame guide: Supports Custom Frame Lines When shooting with different aspect ratios in mind, you can use a frame guide that’s useful when you decide the composition. The fp series now supports custom frame lines, where you can add a given aspect ratio or absolute pixel dimensions. It will prove useful in filmmaking where it may be necessary to cover different formats from movie, television, smartphone, etc. Take Stills with Film Lines Overlaid on Images Obviously, the metadata of the viewfinder includes such user information as battery level etc which the operator does not want included in the final images. Irritatingly though, film lines, representing safety zones are treated in the same way and not captured when images are taken. As per above, this was taken with the Cooke Anamorphic x1.8 FF 85mm, using the Director’s Viewfinder mode set to “Arri Alexa Mini LF – LF 16:9 (x1.8)”.Credit Joao Ferreira A work-around to this is to assign a macro function to the up/down/left/right of the thumbwheel to take a ‘screen grab’ of the viewfinder image. The ensuing image will now include all screen information, including the overlaid safety zone, pre-programmed to suit the camera being used, including image size and aspect ratio. Additional Benefits for Cinematography Another standout feature is the Sigma FP’s ability to record high-quality RAW video, even in 4K at 12-bit. This means the camera can function not only as a Director’s Viewfinder but also as a B or C unit in independent and commercial productions. Its ability to capture cinematic-quality images makes it incredibly versatile for smaller productions. Conclusion The Sigma FP is not just an underrated camera; it is a tool that can transform how filmmakers plan and capture their stories. As a Director’s Viewfinder, it offers portability, flexibility, and professional features that can meet the demands of professional productions, but also the needs of independent filmmakers. Whether for framing visualization or capturing stunning images, the Sigma FP is definitely a choice worth considering. Claudio Cadman and Joao Ferreira, June 2025