Anyone have a Sigma 30mm 1.4 for canon?

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I have read reviews raving about this lens and others slating it...

anyone here actually have one? whats your experience? Is it good wide open? is it better than the 35mm f2 from canon?

These are questions i need answering before i decide which of the two i buy at the end of the month

Cheers :)
 
DTS said:
I have read reviews raving about this lens and others slating it...

anyone here actually have one? whats your experience? Is it good wide open? is it better than the 35mm f2 from canon?

These are questions i need answering before i decide which of the two i buy at the end of the month

Cheers :)
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I used to have one, used it on my 450D and then my 50D. Lovely little lens. It gets a few poor reviews, but in real world scenarios it performs beautifully, and there are a lot of satisfied owners about. I only got rid of it *** I moved to full frame so couldn't use it.
 
so theres no such thing as a 'bad copy, just picky people comparing to L glass?

i also read you can use it on FF but will have no AF
 
DTS said:
so theres no such thing as a 'bad copy, just picky people comparing to L glass?

i also read you can use it on FF but will have no AF
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Err... who said there was no such thing as a bad copy? I don't think any lens manufacturer can claim that. There no doubt are bad copies about, but the thing is with bad copies is they can be turned into good copies with the aid of a decent servicing or micro-adjustment (although I know your 450D doesn't allow for this). Always be cautious when buying any lens used.

Yes you can use it on a full frame, but the major issue for me in that scenario is the severe vignetting from the smaller image circle the lens has. When I sold it I bought the Siggy 50mm, which provides effectively the same field of view for FF as the 30mm does for APS-C.
 
Surely if a new copy isnt quite right it is serviced free of charge then?
 
DTS said:
Surely if a new copy isnt quite right it is serviced free of charge then?
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Yep. And I believe all UK-purchased Sigma lenses qualify for a 3-year warranty. That way you can give it a bloody good run-in before sending it in for recalibration!

That's why I said you only need to be careful if buying used, as you probably won't get warranty thrown in.
 
Gotcha - think il probably buy new to be honest only thing that puts me off is the far cheaper canon 35mm f2!
 
DTS said:
Gotcha - think il probably buy new to be honest only thing that puts me off is the far cheaper canon 35mm f2!
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Not knowing the IQ of the Canon 35mm, I can say at least that the Sigma's build quality is superior, and the focusing will be quicker due to the Siggy having an HSM motor, which is like Canon's USM, which the 35mm doesn't have. I say the Sigma is worth the extra £100.
 
Sigma's new 35 1.4 is getting solid reviews, and jumps right in at the high end on DXO's lens database.
 
new 35mm? hmmm il have to take a look
 
yea ok thats more than i was looking to spend :lol: ive got a few other things on my shopping list this month
 
Yeah, but at over £700, it's part of Sigma's "Let's Take the P1ss" range :lol:

The new Sigma 35mm is primarily aimed at FF users (though of course crop sensor users can use it too). The older Siggy 30mm is designed specifically for APS-C.
 
yup dont think the 35mm siggy is for me
 
I own a sigma 30mm and love it!

I can't compare to the 35mm f2, but I have had a 28mm f2.8 which I'm told is similar build quality / same focus motor as the 35. the sigma 30mm is far far better in build quality, it focuses much more smoothly too.

Wide open, despite reports It's sharp in my opinion, even pretty decent towards the edges! It is undoubtedly far sharper around f4 - f8 though, but I guess that's to be expected.
 
Mine was lovely, but the focus was slightly out and without af adjustment it got annoying! Correctly focused it was fairly sharp wide open.
 
thanks guys think il have to go for it once payday rolls in :)
 
Nifkin said:
Yeah, but at over £700, it's part of Sigma's "Let's Take the P1ss" range :lol:

The new Sigma 35mm is primarily aimed at FF users (though of course crop sensor users can use it too). The older Siggy 30mm is designed specifically for APS-C.
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It's £500 less than the Nikon 35mm 1.4, and scores higher on DXO charts [tested on Canon]. But yeah, it is still expensive if you're on a budget, very nice looking lens though.
 
Nifkin said:
Yeah, but at over £700, it's part of Sigma's "Let's Take the P1ss" range :lol:

The new Sigma 35mm is primarily aimed at FF users (though of course crop sensor users can use it too). The older Siggy 30mm is designed specifically for APS-C.
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Totatally agree with your take on their pricing structure. The Sigma 85mm is also steeply priced!
 
If it's as good as the Nikon and Canon 1.4s by all accounts, at up to £500 less ... I fail to see how that is taking the "P1ss"? I know it's not what the OP wants, but that wasn't clear in the first post. I just threw it in as an option if money was no obstacle. Thinking on one myself, though I'll have to sell on something to get it atm.

"Let's start with the optics. It's remarkably sharp, even wide open, outperforming not only its Canon, Nikon and Sony equivalents, but also the far more expensive Carl Zeiss Distagon T* 1,4/35 in lab tests. Chromatic aberration is also impressively well controlled (both lateral and longitudinal), distortion is low and vignetting more-or-less typical for its class. The rendition of out-of-focus regions is generally quite attractive, although complex backgrounds can end up looking rather 'fussy'. The overall result, though, is a lens that delivers fine-looking images with the minimum of fuss, shot after shot." Dpreview
 
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The new Siggy 35mm f1.4 seems to be getting very good reviews and it's cheaper than the camera brand 35mm's but it looks to be a bulky thing.

I had the 30mm f1.4 and found it to be very good. The only issue I ever had was that the focus mechanism felt gritty and uneven to me when used to manually focus. I tried another in a shop and it was just the same so I assume the gritty and uneven feel is just how the HSM feels. Other than that I couldn't fault it.
 
Rixy said:
Totatally agree with your take on their pricing structure. The Sigma 85mm is also steeply priced!
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The thing is that these Siggy lenses are cheaper than the high end Canon / Nikon lenses and yet compete with them on IQ.

I have the Siggy 85mm f1.4 and it's a cracking lens, possibly the best AF lens I've ever owned.
 
Ah, no Nikon version :/, and even the Canon one is out of stock. That's a great price.
 
Cagey75 said:
... I fail to see how that is taking the "P1ss"?
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And I think you fail to see the :lol: at the end of my post; I was just kidding! Lighten up. People usually come on here for practical advice with regards to their choices, and seeing as the OP has a 450D and is trying to decide between Canon's sub-£200 35mm or whether to save a bit more to get the Sigma 30mm, it seems pretty obvious he's not in the market for a £700+ prime.

I have no doubt both Sigma's 35mm and 85mm are very good; as good as, if not better than, their 50mm I shoud expect, which is very good indeed. But these two lenses are clearly in direct competition with the likes of Canon's L-series offerings at the same focal length, although quite a bit less expensive because they are not Canon L-series (and not weather sealed, I believe). It would be lovely if money were no object, however I don't see the point of recommending these to someone on a budget any more than recommending an L series in the first place.

To the OP; if you are thinking about building a collection of decent primes after you get your 30/35mm, do check out the aforementioned Sigma 50mm, and Canon's 85mm f/1.8 is an absolutely superb lens for the money.
 
I don't need to lighten up, you need to work on your humour ;)

If you have to explain it, it's a bit rubbish eh?

And your second para-rant goes on to prove you weren't joking.

Read the reviews, don't give advice until you know what you're on about.

The sigma is not only a good chunk of cash less than the L lens, but it's rating higher in reviews. Now why would you recommend something lesser, for more money! just because it's got Canon on the side? That would be terrible advice. And again, OP did not mention budget in the first post.
 
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Cagey75 said:
I don't need to lighten up, you need to work on your humour ;)

If you have to explain it, it's a bit rubbish eh?

And your second para-rant goes on to prove you weren't joking.

Read the reviews, don't give advice until you know what you're on about.

The sigma is not only a good chunk of cash less than the L lens, but it's rating higher in reviews. Now why would you recommend something lesser, for more money! just because it's got Canon on the side? That would be terrible advice. And again, OP did not mention budget in the first post.
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Haha now you are talking twaddle. I've read reviews of the new Sigma 35mm; as I said, it sounds like it's a great performer. In what way do I know any less on the subject than you exactly? My advice regarding the Sigmas 30mm & 50mm and the Canon 85mm f/1.8 is all valid as I own or have owned them all, used them extensively, and most importantly, these lenses are relevant to the price point that the OP is investigating. I know this, because prior to my humourous remark (which didn't need explaining, so I didn't) about the price of the Sigma 35mm the OP had said:

"il probably buy new to be honest only thing that puts me off is the far cheaper canon 35mm f2!"

and

"yea ok thats more than i was looking to spend ive got a few other things on my shopping list this month"

Which gives a pretty good clue as to his budget without him having to spell it out.

Anyway, just because you've read a few reviews and looked at a few charts doesn't make you an authority; charts are one thing, but real-world usage are another, which is a very valid point when it comes to lenses like Sigma's 30mm.

And what proves that I wasn't joking, exactly?! Unless Sigma do indeed have a range called "Let's Take the P1ss", that I don't know about. My second para had nowt to do with that and is about people recommending lenses that are beyond the budget of the OP; I mean reallllllly, what is the point of doing that and then getting all sniffy if people don't agree with you?

Now can you point out where I recommended something more expensive, and where I recommended something just because it's got "Canon on the side"? You'll have a hard time because I didn't. On second thoughts, don't bother; just go away and argue the toss somewhere else while I add you to the plonker list. :lol::lol::lol:
 
Just ordered one for my 7D! Cant wait till I get it, although it's got a 28 day waiting period :-(
 
Wasn't aware of the waiting time on the siggy!

Thanks to everyone do their help. Made my decision easy - going to order the 30mm siggy ASAP :thumbs:
 
DTS said:
I have read reviews raving about this lens and others slating it...

anyone here actually have one? whats your experience? Is it good wide open? is it better than the 35mm f2 from canon?

These are questions i need answering before i decide which of the two i buy at the end of the month

Cheers :)
Click to expand...

I dont have one now, but i have had 3 in the past. Lovely lens but i had focusing issue with all 3 (spread over 3 years) and ended up with the Canon 35 f/2 and loved that little lens.
IQ is good but i wouldn't buy another unless my camera had MFA.

EDIT: I should add that back when i had my first copy i got in touch with Sigma UK and they provided me with an interesting article that had been written about the lens, and explained why some cameras were having issues with it. It wasnt the lens but but AF system. The also said i would have to send both the lens and body in and they could set the two up to work together. I never did.
 
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dave_bass5 said:
I should add that back when i had my first copy i got in touch with Sigma UK and they provided me with an interesting article that had been written about the lens, and explained why some cameras were having issues with it. It wasnt the lens but but AF system.
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Have you still got a link to that article, or know where it can be found? May help the OP.
 
No sorry, it got deleted a long time ago. Im sure user reviews will be much more useful anyway.
This was back in 2007 IIR, im sure the Canon AF system has got a lot better since then so its probably not that relevant these days.
For what its worth my first copy was quite soft wide open and took quite a bit of stopping down to become as sharp as the reviewers were reporting. I got it exchanged and the second was great, indoors. No unexpected softness and no real issues with focusing. The issue i had was outdoors in good light at distances greater than about 20ft. Even at f/8 i found a high % of shots to be slightly out of focus. This was on a 350D, not the most accurate camera in the world but i would have expected better results outdoors than in. I kept it for about a year, got 100's of great shots but eventually I traded it in for a Canon 35 f/2 and was very happy with that. No issues at all.
The third copy was when i got a 40D. I figured i now had a better camera so the Sigma would work well. Ha, it was soft down one side, at all F stops. took that back within a few days and got a 50.mm f/1.4.
 
I had one in the past (when I shot with a crop sensor), wonderfully sharp lens even wide open (used on a 450d and 7d). Didn't have any focusing issues at all. Had to get rid of it when i moved to full frame which was a shame.
Since then I've bought the sigma 50mm which had huge problems focussing. Even now after calabration it's a bit iffy on both my 5d mk ii and mk iii.
 
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