Sigma 30mm f/1.4 User Group


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I took the plunge and got myself the Sigma 30mm F1.4. The F1.4 is too tempting. It is my first third party lens. Sad to say, I have to visit Sigma service center very soon. Although I have brought my body to test, I only managed to get a better set. Did not realize I had back focusing problem, as when I tested my copy it look sharp on the LCD. Sigma 30mm is known to have the front/back focusing issue and forumers here recommend to have calibration done after purchasing the lens. Hopefully after calibration, I will have a sharp copy.

Bro ... may I ask ... wot body U using ... ?
 

Nikon AF-S 24/1.4 vs Sigma 30/1.4. Both on a D90. The AF-S 24/1.4 is a S$2.9k piece of glass.

Test condition : 1/20s, f1.4, ISO 1600. SB-900 AF assist + flash. So shutter is locked at 1/60s, all shot at f1.4 to excerbate AF inaccuracies.

AF, 24/1.4 no horse run. Faster lock-on plus 100% accuracy. I shot a person's face, AF at the nostrils. 5 out of 5 frames nailed it sharp 100% for AF. Center point cross hair AF.
AF Sigma 30mm, hunt a bit, probably 2-3X slower lock-on. 0 out of 5 all back focus for nostrils. WTF?

AF 24/1.4 on person's eyes. Again 5/5 AF nailed it 100%.
AF Sigma 30mm, better. 3 out of 5 frames AF nailed it 100%. Also noticeably slower.

Don't expect the AF-S 24/1.4 to work miracles with the side non-cross-hair AF points. For the Sigma 30/1.4, I usually whack at least 5 frames before I can get 1 to be sharp for shooting people at f1.4-f2 range. :sweat:

Tomorrow shooting Singapore Flyer ROM, so lets see. 5.30-7.30, so there will be a mixture of bright, not so bright, and freaking !@$#!@ dark conditions.

But here's the good news, the Sigma 30/1.4 is nearly as sharp as the AF-S 24/1.4 when it is in focus. I still can see CA in the 24/1.4, but that's on the DX body. If it is working on a FX, probably it would not be stressed as much and can be better (its supposed to be sharp till the corners even on FX - you pay a lot of premium for this for a WA f1.4).
 

MFD shots on the 24/1.4 is a breeze at f1.4 on the DX body. Nothing throws it off. Sigma you need to spend a whole lot more time and chimp and re-shoot and chimp. My Sigma is a good copy (as in no permanent very huge backfocus or front focus for high-contrast objects), just that the AF sometimes has a mind of its own. The whole purpose of this lens is that you pay top dollars for this and FX WA f1.4. This is even more expensive than Canon L glass actually.

But I am surprised that the Sigma performs so well even at f1.4, or rather the Nikon is not much better optically. But again, I need to go out and shoot and test to see, esp Omega23 said it is a killer under good light.
 

Hey guys.. Can anyone tell me a good reliable shop to get this lens and ofcourse at a gd price as well..? thanks in advance..
 

Hey guys.. Can anyone tell me a good reliable shop to get this lens and ofcourse at a gd price as well..? thanks in advance..

i bought mine at SLRR. cheapest among all funan shops. (:
 

i bought my 30mm f/1.4 from SLRR too.. tink its ard 70x for cash payment..
 

Hi all,

Just checking if u guys face "greenish flare" prob with this lens in evening/night shooting?
 

Hi all,

Just checking if u guys face "greenish flare" prob with this lens in evening/night shooting?


Oops... its from my filter... no prob after removing filter...:embrass:
 

Called to make appt for calibration but was told next available date 29.12.2010....
 

amazing...then again even canon is busy. my calibration going to take 3-5 days
 

I wish for this lens. Anyone going to HK anytime soon? Also, Adorama.com is selling at less than SGD600 incl. shipping. Quite tempted, but with grey sets, warranty issues and all, is it worth it?
 

is calibrating FOC for grey sets? or local but out of warranty sets?

anyway how do i test for the focusing, backfocus, sharpness etc problems at home?
 

I wish for this lens. Anyone going to HK anytime soon? Also, Adorama.com is selling at less than SGD600 incl. shipping. Quite tempted, but with grey sets, warranty issues and all, is it worth it?

I think for this lens, you should seriously consider a local set. There are people who post here that they were charge $80 for calibration. Some people went in to calibrate twice. So better play safe. Just in case you want to change body, then have to calibrate again.
 

umm guys..

can anyone roughly tell me wads the diff between 30mm & 50mm f1.4?

i'm planning to buy my sigma by yr-end..using mainly for portraits(half body to full body)~
 

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