Quite disappointed with my 30mm f1.4 Sigma

Skyline On Fire

Skyline On Fire

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Luke
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After much deliberation, I ordered a 30mm f1.4 Sigma prime yesterday, which arrived today. After finding out they sent the wrong accompanying lens hood, I went out for a stroll with it. I must say the results are pretty poor. I shot a lot of photos, at variable apertures, ISO, shutter, the lot. It's strange because sometimes it will focus perfectly, and give me a great shot, even at f1.4, but the majority of the time it umms and ahhs about how far to focus, and then gives me a poor result. This is shooting static objects, with the camera on a tripod too, so it isn't a case of me or the object moving and affecting the paper thin DoF at 1.4.

Sharpness at 1.4 is pretty poor too, in fact I wouldn't call it acceptable until around 2.0, even then, my old 50mm 1.8 Canon is far sharper. The focusing speed is wonderful, it just doesn't seem to focus very well. Build quality, excellent. Feels weighty, balances the 7D beautifully.

The DoF really is something else, a quick sample from when the focus actually worked.

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I really wanted to like this lens, I really did. But I think it's going back in the post, and I'm just going to use the money for a 17-55 2.8 Canon, and stick to my little 50 1.8 for a fast prime for now, despite it being a bit long for most situations.

Has anyone else had this lens, any experiences to speak of? I was thinking I might of just got a poor copy, since from reading around various websites, forums etc I get the feeling Sigmas quality control isn't up to the Canon own brand lens standards, and it is my first Sigma lens.
 
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That was my first assumption, but after a few tests, it doesn't consistently back focus or front focus, it just random focuses. Sometimes its front, sometimes its back, and these are controlled tests I'm not just wielding it around at 1.4 expecting the paper thin DoF to be perfect on everything I point it at, my 1.8 is far sharper, the focus is much nicer, I just wish it was 30 instead of 50mm like this one is to be honest.
 
User Name said:
Any more sample photos?
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I've a few, the thing is, when I manually focus it, using 10x on live view, its spot on. Sure it's not the sharpest at f1.4, but I'm happy to stop down to f2 and just bump the ISO. My main issue is with the incredibly erratic focusing, neither forward focus or backward, so I cant correct for it either.
 
Assuming you've purchased the lens new, I'd be inclined to swap it for another one. It seems to me that Sigma make some cracking lenses but their quality control is a little erratic.
 
gad-westy said:
Assuming you've purchased the lens new, I'd be inclined to swap it for another one. It seems to me that Sigma make some cracking lenses but their quality control is a little erratic.
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Yes I'm debating what to do at the moment, right now return and exchange for another is top of the list, and if that's just as erratic, ditch the idea of a Sigma 30mm prime, and re-evaluate my options
 
Skyline On Fire said:
Yes I'm debating what to do at the moment, right now return and exchange for another is top of the list, and if that's just as erratic, ditch the idea of a Sigma 30mm prime, and re-evaluate my options
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I've read a few reviews of the lens as I was eyeing them up on ebay a little while ago. It doesn't seem to me that they're known for this issue so maybe you've just got unlucky. I hope you get it sorted.
 
gad-westy said:
I've read a few reviews of the lens as I was eyeing them up on ebay a little while ago. It doesn't seem to me that they're known for this issue so maybe you've just got unlucky. I hope you get it sorted.
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I read a few myself, and whilst quite a few people seemed to have issues with the 50mm 1.4, I didn't read as many horror stories about the 30mm, so I felt I may get away with getting it right first time. I'll put up a sample shot of a few different apertures, see what people think.
 
I have this lens in Nikon mount and I absolutely love it. Sharp at all apertures and beautiful colour, contrast and bokeh. I'll never get rid of it.

You must have a bad copy because when they are good they are very good. I want the 50mm and 85mm to go with it.
 
-Rob- said:
I have this lens in Nikon mount and I absolutely love it. Sharp at all apertures and beautiful colour, contrast and bokeh. I'll never get rid of it.

You must have a bad copy because when they are good they are very good. I want the 50mm and 85mm to go with it.
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I've seen so many gorgeous shots taken with it in various threads, I really want to love this lens. My Canon 50mm 1.8 is far sharper, even at 1.8 vs say... 2.8 on the 30mm Sigma. At first I put it down to bad technique on my part, but I've sat down with a tripod, remote shutter, the lot. it's the lens itself.
 
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Another random sample shot, it focused okay for this one if I recall, if it performed like this every shot, I'd be happy.
 
Not sure - maybe it's the autofocus of the 7D - but with the D300s - with a small amount of focus compensation / adjust - the results are stunning. (Centre cross af sensor only though!) It hits focus every time - very sharp at 1.4 - and very very sharp at 2.8 +! The only thing is centre sharpness is fantastic, but once you stray away from the centre it starts to soften up.
 
gad-westy said:
Assuming you've purchased the lens new, I'd be inclined to swap it for another one. It seems to me that Sigma make some cracking lenses but their quality control is a little erratic.
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This is something which has put me off them altogether, i haven't owned a sigma but have heard some people who love the lenses but then i read people on about the focusing being back or forward are is very soft. And i dont think i will buy one incase i do get a back copy as its just hassle then sorting it out.
 
Have you considered the Canon 28mm 1.8..? I am looking into getting one soon and have read some great stuff and they seem about the same price as the sigma 30mm.

But if your after the f/1.4 maybe try get a good copy of the Sigma
 
Tyler138 said:
Have you considered the Canon 28mm 1.8..? I am looking into getting one soon and have read some great stuff and they seem about the same price as the sigma 30mm.

But if your after the f/1.4 maybe try get a good copy of the Sigma
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The 28 1.8 was my other choice, I had to decide between the two. The superior build quality, slightly faster aperture, and absolutely gorgeous results drew me to the Sigma. Going to shoot with it for another day and make a decision weather to keep or exchange, or refund, then.
 
how are you focusing? center point? focus recompose?

edit - mind you that wont matter if its not getting lock.. have you got some mis-focus examples
 
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Urgh... was just about to buy this lens (amongst others) and this thread pops up.

As others have posted, I've seen this lens take some spectacular shots on this forum, but I occasionally hear these horror stories that makes me want to run and dump everything on a CAnon 35mm L for 'safety' purposes (not that the lens would save me from the missus)...

I'd be very interested to hear how you get on with it, as my 20D doesn't have any focus microadjustment... :gag:
 
Mine was awesome, I really do regret selling mine. The Sigma 50mm f1.4 that I've purchased to replace it has been nothing but trouble.
They do seem to be the luck of the draw, I'll never buy another sigma lens without trying it in person I'm afraid.
 
Can you ask for a replacement? I bought one used on ebay and it's rarely off my camera. My Nikon 50mm is now gathering dust.
 
I'm considering getting a replacement, it won't be an issue, it only arrived today from Warehouse Express (great service by the way, replacing my lens hood quickly) so I've another 7 days with distance selling regulations, and 28 with their returns policy.

Going to shoot with it tomorrow, see how it performs, and go from there.
 
scottthehat said:
maybe it was a returned one as it did have wrong hood.
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That would be awfully cheeky, sending out an already returned lens without being sorted, I doubt they would of done that. I think the hood issue was something else, and the lens I got was absolutely mint condition, wrapped up etc... They said pop the one I've got in the post and they will send the correct one back.

I'll shoot tomorrow, and if it's no good, exchange it for another. I've seen some absolutely magnificent shots with this lens, and I'm determined to get a good copy!
 
<b>Update</b>

I took it out tonight for a stroll with my girlfriend by the river, and it performed quite well for the very very limited lighting. Both shots hand held, at f1.4

nlseis.jpg


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Rather dark and definitely not my best work, but the lens performed decently I guess.
 
I am having the same problem with this lens. Sometimes it performed just so poorly and at other time it took superb photos. It took a bit of patient to use. I want it before I got it but when I first got it I was disappointed and now, I'm trying not to expect too much out of it. LOL!:bonk:
 
TJ80 said:
I am having the same problem with this lens. Sometimes it performed just so poorly and at other time it took superb photos. It took a bit of patient to use. I want it before I got it but when I first got it I was disappointed and now, I'm trying not to expect too much out of it. LOL!:bonk:
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The thing is, when I manual focus it, stop it down to say 2.8, absolutely incredible. at 1.4/1.8/2 etc.... My 50mm 1.8 Canon is sharper, and definitely focuses more accurately, not as fast, since its not USM/HSM, but definitely far more accurately
 
Skyline On Fire said:
The thing is, when I manual focus it, stop it down to say 2.8, absolutely incredible. at 1.4/1.8/2 etc.... My 50mm 1.8 Canon is sharper, and definitely focuses more accurately, not as fast, since its not USM/HSM, but definitely far more accurately
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I do agree with your finding :thumbs: and Canon 1.8 is definitely the best budget prime. :thumbs::thumbs:
 
I have one of these and it gives no problems at all and it's sharp at f1.4. A stella performer all round.

It's always a mystery to me why some people report multiple problems with Sigma lenses (although I'm always suspicious when people report problems with fast lenses as often it's user error &#8211; poor technique. I'm not saying that's the case here but I've seen it happen.) as mine all perform flawlessly but the other day I was reading an on line review and they reported the number of focus misses on various cameras with some lens or other and the 20D performed the best, by far, so I wonder if the good/poor performance of Sigma and possibly other lenses is more to do with changes the manufacturer has made to the body than the actual lenses? Could Canon be up to something to put people off third party lenses?

PS. Just read the above comment about the Siggy 50mm f1.4. I have one and again it's great. I tested mine against my Canon 50mm f2.5 which some think is Canon's sharpest 50mm (so I've read) and the Siggy was an easy match for it in the centre at all apertures. Maybe I should keep my 20D forever as it doesn't seem to matter what lens I mount on it, I just get great performance.
 
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Alan, good for you. You must have a great copy there. I love Sigma, but somehow its disappointing to find Sigma 20mm 1.8 performing better than 30mm 1.4. Lol... I do agree too it somethings boils down to poor technique too.
 
I recently got a used Sigma 30mm 1.4 and use it on a 7D and so far I'm chuffed with it. I have noticed though that the AF can be a bit flaky at times, it's not as bad as yours but I reckon maybe 15-20% of the shots taken between 1.4 and 2.8 are "off", mine seems to back-focus. I've dialled in a bit of micro adjust which has helped but it hasn't completely cured it.

Having said that, I'm very happy with it and it's definitely a keeper, I just love being able to shoot indoors, handheld using available light only @ ISO 800, suits me sir......

I'll try and take/dig out some samples over the weekend for comparison.

I also strongly agree with the other troops about user errors, classic case: I bought a brand new Sigma 100-300 f4 EX to replace a Sigma 70-300 APO DG. Well 2 days after receiving it I hated it and was on the verge of returning it, it was soft and horrible.....BUT, it wasn't, it was me, I just wasn't in the groove with the lens and treated it the same way as my old familiar 70-300, mistake #1.

I regrouped and started from scratch, now you'll have to prise it from my cold dead fingers.........
 
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TJ80 said:
Alan, good for you. You must have a great copy there. I love Sigma, but somehow its disappointing to find Sigma 20mm 1.8 performing better than 30mm 1.4. Lol... I do agree too it somethings boils down to poor technique too.
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I also have a 20mm f1.8. I find mine a little soft at f1.8 but it soon gets sharp and that seems to match what I've read in reviews.

Ref the technique thing... I've seen people half press the shutter and then visibly nod forward or back when taking the shot, and then blame the lens. Madness.
 
I've just had a play with the micro adjust, seems to have sharpened it a little, but the focusing is still slightly erratic, and this is on a tripod with a remote shutter, so there is no chance of vibrations causing an issue etc...
 
Possible for you to send it back for another copy, if it is still under warranty?
 
I just got it, so I can send it back to Warehouse Express for a replacement anytime in the next 28 days luckily.
 
woof woof said:
Ref the technique thing... I've seen people half press the shutter and then visibly nod forward or back when taking the shot, and then blame the lens. Madness.
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Yes, that explains most focusing issues with large aperture lenses. Because the DoF is so thin, even the slightest movement will throw it off.

I've had one for around 2 years till I sold it recently (when I upgraded to a 5D II) and it was easily my favourite and most used lens. Even wide open, it was amazingly sharp.

Cheers
 
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Another shot from today, poor example though. Colour rendition with this lens is absolutely spot on I must say.
 
Welcome to the world of Sigma - some great lenses but their quality control is a farce and it's a total lottery whether you get a decent one or not.
 
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