Sigma 30mm f1.4

[richt]

Folks,

I am thinking of getting a Sigma 30mm f1.4 HSM to use for low light/indoor shots. I wanted to get your feedback though on this lens before I actually purchase one. I already have a Nikkor 50mm f1.8 pero parang it is still a bit slow for indoor shots

What is the review on this lens?

Are there other brands carrying the same kind of lens? What are my other options?

The price of this lens is relatively expensive din eh so I wanted to make sure before buying one.

Thanks everyone!

Cheers...

PS. I will be using this with my Nikon D80.

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[BigDaddy]

I too am considering getting the Sigma 30mm f1.4....

Although I haven't been able to try it yet, I've heard & read good reviews about it...specially on its low light performance. 

I believe there were some concerns regarding its AF, how fast it reacted to the environment and such. 

I suggest you drop by JT photo and check things out...they carry the Sigma brand here in the Philippines.

HTH

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[rench]

if you need a low-light + narrow DOF normal lens for cropped sensors, it's a very good choice.

f1.4, 1/250, iso 400.  ambient light only. 

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[mbs]

had it...  sold it.   

why...

soft corners, barrel distortion, not close focusing.  over exposes with nikon bodies ( 7/10 times)


but... great bokeh, sharp center and i really enjoyed it. 

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[vondiggidy]

I've also heard some good things about this lens.  My only concern is that F1.4 might be too shallow and I will end up using it at F2.8 or more.

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[briboinks]

so basically using bigger apertures like 1.2 - 1.4 , you wont get sharp pictures bec of its shallow DOF? how bout if the subject is far away from you?

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[teabag]

am also considering this len after getting a d90.whats the common problem of this lens when attach to nikon dslr?

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[afterglow]

Nice bokeh, good build quality, good image quality.  As with any lens, it'll perform its best stopped down a bit.  But the reason why you get this lens vs. a slower lens is because it's a 1.4.  It'll give you the extreme DOF effect and light-gathering ability that a slower lens can't.

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[centralperk]

I didn't want to start a new topic so I hope it's okay to post this question here.

Does this lens have full-time manual focusing? I've seen reviews on the web that says it does. But when I called JT they said I shouldn't because it might damage the lens.

Would anyone know for sure?

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[enzo]

i have this lens, the manual focus is a bit tight, not as smooth like the sigma 50 1.4. i do manual focus on the 30mm. but its better to use the AF. If you need close focusing, tey the 24mm , only 1.8 and not as sharp as the 30mm. also 30 has better color contrast than the 24

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[centralperk]

Thanks for the reply. So just to confirm, full-time manual is okay? Meaning I don't have to switch to manual focus to turn the ring?

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[enzo]

Thanks for the reply. So just to confirm, full-time manual is okay? Meaning I don't have to switch to manual focus to turn the ring?

my 30mm is for nikon mount, it doesn't have Af/M switch. when i manual focus i just deactivate the AF switch of my cam, and then i do manual focus. but still the manual ring is really tight. but base on what JT photo mention baka  they have a point

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[dean]

my friend had it and i was able to try it on his 7D and yes... it does have Full Time Manual Focusing (if memory serves me right).  it was pretty good but the MFD might turn off some.

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[MUSANG]

I have one and love its DOF, fast AF (with full time manual focus even at AF mode). You just need to have it calibrated with your body so you can create clear shots. Since its a 1.4 and if it is not calibrated you will not get the sharpness you wanted. (How to attach pix in a thread?)

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[oloap23]

^ +1

It is a great all around lens, nice bokeh, fast, lightweight. Unfortunately, not all copies can focus accurately and consistently (mine needs to be calibrated asap). But if you have af fine tuning in your camera, it will serve you well.

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[snidd]

It's not as much of a low-light monster as a lot claim it to be. It helps but getting an accurate focus at 1.4 may be tricky especially when shooting events.

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[dean]

^sounds more like a DOF problem than a focusing problem.

on another note:  sharpness isn't everything.  it may not be razor sharp at f/1.4 but there are better reasons to get a lens other than mere sharpness.  the light gathering ability of the lens plus the subject isolation, dof at f/1.4 are some of the reasons why people still use lenses wide open even if they know it's not as sharp as when it's stopped down.

a friend had it on his 7D and he was very happy with it.  he only sold it because he got himself a 5D3 and he got himself a sigma 50mm f/1.4 after. 

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