Sigma 30mm f/1.4 User Group

[xiaopang23]

Hi,

I'm planning to buy my 1st DSLR soon... my plan is to buy a body + 3rd party lens... initial target is Canon 500D + Tamron 17-50 f/2.8... now after looking through the pics of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 I'm totally poisoned by the pics...

Would it be wise to buy the Sigma 30mm + Canon 500D as a starter kit?
or would it be better to stick with my initial plan of Tamron 17-50 f/2.8?

 

[Shen siung]

Hi,

I'm planning to buy my 1st DSLR soon... my plan is to buy a body + 3rd party lens... initial target is Canon 500D + Tamron 17-50 f/2.8... now after looking through the pics of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 I'm totally poisoned by the pics...

Would it be wise to buy the Sigma 30mm + Canon 500D as a starter kit?
or would it be better to stick with my initial plan of Tamron 17-50 f/2.8?

My recommendation will be get the zoom lens, which is the Tamron.
Unless you have tried to use a fix focal length (lens / compact camera) before and you are ok with it. This is because, most newbie will find that fix focal length lens (prime lens) less versatile, less dynamic in composition.

 

[grey_fox]

Hi all,

I would like some feedback with regards to the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. I see a lot of beautiful images that you guys have taken so far with this lens. Just wondering, how does it compare to the Canon 28mm f/1.8 (besides the obvious 2/3 stops slower that the Canon is lacking).

Any feedback on the above?

 

[doyqw]

Hi all,

I would like some feedback with regards to the Sigma 30mm f/1.4. I see a lot of beautiful images that you guys have taken so far with this lens. Just wondering, how does it compare to the Canon 28mm f/1.8 (besides the obvious 2/3 stops slower that the Canon is lacking).

Any feedback on the above?

Plenty of comparisons on this. Check this out from lightrules:

http://www.pbase.com/lightrules/28v30

 

[grey_fox]

Thanks for the link there doyqw.

 

[doyqw]

Just got my long awaited copy today... What a wonderful lens it is...

Tomorrow going out to have a good shoot...

 

[dan-eos350d]

Congrats on your final decision to get this lovely gadget doyqw, welcome to the sigma 30mm f/1.4 family!

 

[doyqw]

Just to share some shots taken over the weekend.

Just to note - these are very minimally processed. Only touched up the contrast and brightness. The saturation is pretty much right out of the camera.

Blue or red

Sunset

The bridge

 

[xunliang]

i have to say it's my favourite lens. i use it as my convenient almost always mounted lens if i go out with friends and want to go out light. reasonably sharp wide open.

 

[doyqw]

Hehe... More shots to share... Food photography...

Teh O

Chicken Chop Spaghetti

Chicken Chop Spaghetti

 

[kekkheong]

Really poison by these pictures. was thinking to get 50mm 1.4 but after seeing these pictures, back to dilemma again. i will be going to HK on 06nov and will be visiting Tin Cheung for these two lenses. I dont mind to help you guys to buy this 30mm 1.4 but limited to 3 pieces only (due limited luggage space as i will be buying some other lenses). PM to discuss if you are interested. (first come first serve)

In term of sharpness from center to edge, which one is the winner?

 

[xsiv24]

Such awesome pictures... Well done guys!
Was just wonderin, would this lens autofocus on the Nikon D5000?

 

[viix]

Really poison by these pictures. was thinking to get 50mm 1.4 but after seeing these pictures, back to dilemma again. i will be going to HK on 06nov and will be visiting Tin Cheung for these two lenses. I dont mind to help you guys to buy this 30mm 1.4 but limited to 3 pieces only (due limited luggage space as i will be buying some other lenses). PM to discuss if you are interested. (first come first serve)

In term of sharpness from center to edge, which one is the winner?

I would say the 50 as they are FF lenses why the 30 are crop, hence on a crop sensor camera, you are actually getting more of that centre sharpness.. BUT this being a sigma, copies might vary..

Such awesome pictures... Well done guys!
Was just wonderin, would this lens autofocus on the Nikon D5000?

It is a HSM lens, meaning it has a focusing motor.. therefore no problem AFing on a D5k

 

[rumpledoodles]

wah.. just read through this entire thread. can't wait to get the lens!!

anyone got quotes or bought this locally recently? i got quote from MS at 770, requested an e-quote a few days ago and got 730.. is this a gd price these days?

 

[Krisgage]

Just got mine for 4/3 and love it alot !

Taken some evening n night shots here, wide open, non-edited just resize.

 

[doyqw]

wah.. just read through this entire thread. can't wait to get the lens!!

anyone got quotes or bought this locally recently? i got quote from MS at 770, requested an e-quote a few days ago and got 730.. is this a gd price these days?

Hi

I got mine 2 weeks ago at TK for $730.
Of the few shops I called, OP was the cheapest at $720. (But I preferred TK despite the $10 diff)

Cathay quoted me $760.
MS quote $770.

 

[rumpledoodles]

ooh cool! thanks so much! hmm so i guess 730 from MS is not bad huh?
where's TK photo?

oh, and does yr lens have the focus issues? i heard that the newer batches don't have as much.. praying hard tt i'll get a good one! last i went to MS they only had one left.

 

[Krisgage]

I think TK photo is at Shaw at Beach Rd second level

 

[rumpledoodles]

thanks!

anyone got anymore shots to share? i love looking at shots taken by this lens.. so pretty

also, what cam is everyone here using it with? share share! hehe.

 

[doyqw]

oh, and does yr lens have the focus issues? i heard that the newer batches don't have as much.. praying hard tt i'll get a good one! last i went to MS they only had one left.

Ok... Here comes the downside of this magnificent lens. The first day I was at TK, I hadn't brought my camera body along. So I tested the lens with a 500D from them. The AF was sucky - painfully obvious that it front-focused. But the TK guy explained every camera body behaves differently and the same lens might work on my body.

The next day, I turned up again this time with my 50D. With the exact same lens that front-focused the day before, it focused perfectly on my camera! And that was the very same copy I bought. And up till today - I still hadn't spotted any AF issues.

Two weekends ago, a friend of mine, having been poisoned by my pics, brought his 450D to Alan Photo (Funan) and did a test of another copy of the lens. This time again, there were front-focusing problems. Though not as obvious as my copy on the 500D, it was noticeable being a f1.4 lens.

So conclusion - TEST WITH YOUR OWN BODY, make sure it works before buying. Otherwise, you will have to send it in to the Sigma Svc Ctr to get it calibrated.