sigma 30mm f1.4 of 50mm f 1.4 ?

Rebel t3i

Rebel t3i

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I have crop cameras and fancy some f1.4 action 400d 600d and 7d
should I get the 50mm sigma f 1.4 which seems rated on many reviews as better than the rest or the 30mm f1.4 sigma which doesn't seem as highly rated
Both are around the same price £300 brand new from panamoz the 30mm being £15 cheaper
flash camera have the 30mm at £299
I have looked at second hand but owners want as much if not more than I can get them new
the other alternative is the much cheaper canon 50mm f1.4 this being around £240 but the reviews say the sigma 50mm is better
I can cope with the effective focal distance of the 50mm by moving my feet I think

I am looking at getting new as I seem unable to negotiate a price for used which is sufficiently lower enough compared with the current new prices ie I am not paying 230 for a canon 50mm f1.4 that I can buy from panamoz brand new for slightly less
or am I just very careful (tight lol)
 
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Defiantly the 50mm, the 30 is supposed to be as soft as my nan’s dinner, terrible sharpness wide open, the 50 is supposed to be pin sharp even wide open, and you’ll get a shallower depth of field with the longer focal length.

To summarise, an absolute no brainer.
 
Niall97 said:
Defiantly the 50mm, the 30 is supposed to be as soft as my nan’s dinner, terrible sharpness wide open, the 50 is supposed to be pin sharp even wide open, and you’ll get a shallower depth of field with the longer focal length.

To summarise, an absolute no brainer.
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What????? Have you even used a Sigma 30mm 1.4?!

Personally I would consider them equally as sharp as each other, and photozone supports this. Yes they aren't as sharp at 1.4 as 4.0, but then what lens costing less than £300 is? The Sigma is sharper in the centre pretty much through out, but softer in the corners (due to it being EF-S and the 50 is EF).

Canon 50 1.4
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Sigma 30 1.4
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Personally I find 50mm on a crop restrictive so I own a Sigma 30mm and sold my Canon 50mm 1.8 and 1.4. If you do get the Canon make sure you keep a lens hood on it at all times as the USM is an old design and very week, there are reports of it failing within 12months due to a slight tap on the front.
 
Both lenses are very good - I'd probably go for the 30mm on crop over the 50
 
The question should be about difference between 50 or 30 rather than difference between quality.
 
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is the first lens I bought for my 400D and I love it to bits and I don't think its soft at all. I went for the 30mm because with the crop factor its quite close to 50mm and that's what I wanted for a walk about lens. :)

I took this with it,


Bright lights by Loz :D, on Flickr
 
I've not shot with either of the Sigmas but if the 85 f1.4 is anything to go by they'll be decent lenses. As for which to buy it's just a matter of deciding which focal length you prefer to use and go for that one. Looking in your camera bag you have a 17-55 so you can use that to see how each focal length would work in given situations - do this for a week or so and it will show which you would be better off with. Also I notice that you have a 28 f2.8, how often do you use this? If not much then I guess the 30mm won't be the best option. Personally I would go for the 50mm but that is just my shooting style. I have the Canon 50 f1.4 and have no problems with it, it is plenty sharp enough even when shooting wide open.

As for buying imports it is worth knowing that Sigma can tell from a serial number where a lens was sold and are very anti grey imports. Given that UK lenses can be registered to extend the warranty to 3 years it might be worth buying UK stock. It is also worth knowing that Sigma warranties are not transferable so if buying used you should assume there is no cover.
 
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peter regarding warranty flash camera Kerso have the 30mm at 299 and I have read that UK warranty applies to canon goods bought from them so I assume the same would apply for sigma I assume
panamoz and dr have their own warranty
 
DaveKing said:
What????? Have you even used a Sigma 30mm 1.4?!

Personally I would consider them equally as sharp as each other, and photozone supports this. Yes they aren't as sharp at 1.4 as 4.0, but then what lens costing less than £300 is? The Sigma is sharper in the centre pretty much through out, but softer in the corners (due to it being EF-S and the 50 is EF).

Canon 50 1.4
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Sigma 30 1.4
mtf.gif


Personally I find 50mm on a crop restrictive so I own a Sigma 30mm and sold my Canon 50mm 1.8 and 1.4. If you do get the Canon make sure you keep a lens hood on it at all times as the USM is an old design and very week, there are reports of it failing within 12months due to a slight tap on the front.
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I was talking about the SIGMA 50mm, not the canon, the canon is also quite soft. If you watch digital rev then they did a crop standard test for nikon (bear with me) and the sigma 30 was ridiculously soft, I couldn’t live with that, in that review my Nikon 35mm F1.8 was in it and absolutely trounced it, so based off how sharp my 35 is, then compare it, I can make a pretty good assumption of how soft it is, and if I can’t use my prime wide open because it isn’t sharp then it render’s it useless IMO. And BTW, the Sigma 50mm is currently £309 so I think its a no brainer.
 
I watched a digital rev test on the canon 50 1.4 the sigma 50 1.4 and the canon 50 1.2L
the sigma was the winner
and I agree with you Nial what's the point in having an f1.4 that is no use at 1.4 might as well buy a cheap 1.8
 
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I have opted for the sigma 50mm f 1.4 in my research I just wanted some real life expert opinions to confirm the reviews I have read
what I didn't find however was will this lens be as good on my 7d as it was on the reviews on FF cameras
I already have the canon cheap as chips ef 50 f1.8
 
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Niall97 said:
Defiantly the 50mm, the 30 is supposed to be as soft as my nan’s dinner, terrible sharpness wide open, the 50 is supposed to be pin sharp even wide open, and you’ll get a shallower depth of field with the longer focal length.

To summarise, an absolute no brainer.
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Reading your posts here I really can't fathom out if you're talking about the Sigma 30 or 50mm f1.4 :thinking: Whatever...

I used to have the 30mm f1.4 and found it sharp at f1.4 and I now have the 50mm f1.4 and find it sharp enough at f1.4, not as sharp as the 30mm or Siggys 85mm but sharp enough. Neither are as soft as a nans dinner, as you put it.

PS. OP, most reviews seem to place the Siggy 50mm f1.4 ahead of the Canon. I'm very happy with mine but there really is quite a difference in FoV between 30 and 50mm so the first thing to decide is what focal length you want.
 
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I use the 30mm f1.4 with my d7000 and it is sharp at f1.4 no problem at all. Well I had to micro adjust the AF for it to match my body better but sharp sharp sharp.

I prefer it on a cropped sensor.
 
Ignore him, he's an idiot. An entertaining idiot but still an idiot.

Actually that's probably unfair, he does what he does and says what he says if he feels it's in his interest is probably a better way of putting it.
 
The best thing to do is to read reviews (more than one as one could be wrong,) listen to people who have used or better still owned the kit, make a short list and then try the kit for yourself.

The only negative thing that I can say about the Siggy 30mm f1.4 is that when manually focusing it feels a bit... gritty, not really a nice smooth action. I tried another in a shop and it felt just the same. It's not a deal breaker and if it doesn't matter to you the 30mm will be worth taking a serious look at.
 
In a review the siggy 30 was put against a lens that I own, so comparing how soft it was compared to my lens I can conclude it is soft, the 50mm is said to be far superior, anyone who think the 30mm is sharp obviously havn't tried a lens that is considered sharp.
 
Niall97 said:
Defiantly the 50mm, the 30 is supposed to be as soft as my nan’s dinner, terrible sharpness wide open, the 50 is supposed to be pin sharp even wide open, and you’ll get a shallower depth of field with the longer focal length.

To summarise, an absolute no brainer.
Click to expand...

not a no brainer at all!

I have both a 50 and the 30, and on the crop sensor, the 50 barely ever goes on my camera. the 30 is a much better focal length for my particular use. I thought i'd be fine with a 50 and didn't think the crop factor would affect it much, but it makes a massive difference in my opinion. it's down to the individual as to what focal length would suit their needs best.

In regards to the softness issue, I think it is a little soft in the edges, but compare the price to a pro-grade 30 / 35mm and it's not terrible, for reference this is at 1.4.

6936455953_868e1566b5_z.jpg


it gets sharper when stopped down (although, I also beleive in the "why buy 1.4 to not use 1.4" theory)

6928177095_3c866fd29c_z.jpg
 
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woof woof said:
The best thing to do is to read reviews (more than one as one could be wrong,) listen to people who have used or better still owned the kit, make a short list and then try the kit for yourself.

The only negative thing that I can say about the Siggy 30mm f1.4 is that when manually focusing it feels a bit... gritty, not really a nice smooth action. I tried another in a shop and it felt just the same. It's not a deal breaker and if it doesn't matter to you the 30mm will be worth taking a serious look at.
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I have read a fair few reviews before I started this thread
as the reviews rated the sigma 50mm 1.4 but not particularly the 30 mm 1.4
well not at 1.4 they didn't it was ok stopped down a bit though
 
Rebel t3i said:
peter regarding warranty flash camera Kerso have the 30mm at 299 and I have read that UK warranty applies to canon goods bought from them so I assume the same would apply for sigma I assume
panamoz and dr have their own warranty
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Sigma UK won't honour the warranty on a grey import unless they are provided with proof that UK VAT has been paid....
 
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Flash In The Pan said:
Sigma UK won't honour the warranty on a grey import unless they are provided with proof that UK VAT has been paid....
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why I am wrong flash camera supply I uk receipt I believe
and the post is not about warranty
 
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Flash In The Pan said:
Yes, they do. It's not a VAT receipt though and that's what Sigma require...
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with you now
well with sigma's reputation for poor copies of their lenses is is just a get out clause
would I be better getting a canon 1.4 as these seem to be more consistent and are less likely to need to be sent back for warranty calibration
alternatively I could get a sigma 30 or 50 1.4 from panamoz DR or hdew and utilise their own warranty if need be
the other option I have if I am unhappy with the new sigma is not to bother with the hassle of a warranty claim and just stick it on ebay and probably sell it for more than I paid for it :lol:
 
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Niall97 said:
In a review the siggy 30 was put against a lens that I own, so comparing how soft it was compared to my lens I can conclude it is soft, the 50mm is said to be far superior, anyone who think the 30mm is sharp obviously havn't tried a lens that is considered sharp.
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LOL You are very funny...I guess my Nikon 70-200 VR and 24-70 lenses must be terrible copies if I find my siggy 30mm sharp enough @ f1.4...:bonk:
 
Rebel t3i said:
I have crop cameras and fancy some f1.4 action 400d 600d and 7d
should I get the 50mm sigma f 1.4 which seems rated on many reviews as better than the rest or the 30mm f1.4 sigma which doesn't seem as highly rated
Both are around the same price £300 brand new from panamoz the 30mm being £15 cheaper
flash camera have the 30mm at £299
I have looked at second hand but owners want as much if not more than I can get them new
the other alternative is the much cheaper canon 50mm f1.4 this being around £240 but the reviews say the sigma 50mm is better
I can cope with the effective focal distance of the 50mm by moving my feet I think

I am looking at getting new as I seem unable to negotiate a price for used which is sufficiently lower enough compared with the current new prices ie I am not paying 230 for a canon 50mm f1.4 that I can buy from panamoz brand new for slightly less
or am I just very careful (tight lol)
Click to expand...

Both are good. The choice will depend on which focal length suits what you shoot. If you aren't sure the 30mm is more versatile on APS-C. If I had your 17-55 IS not sure I'd bother with either though.
 
SixToes said:
Both are good. The choice will depend on which focal length suits what you shoot. If you aren't sure the 30mm is more versatile on APS-C. If I had your 17-55 IS not sure I'd bother with either though.
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Now that's a good point and to be fair out of all the lenses I have I use the 17-55 f2.8 the most
I have recently purchased an ef 70-200 f2.8 IS mk1 and I already had a sigma TC 1.4 X and 2 X
then there's the efs 10-20mm I have
so thinking carefully here do I really need the sigma at all
Justifying it to myself is the thought of some f1.4 bokeh action
I don't have a moaning wife to have to justify things to just myself :lol::lol:
I still don't know whether to get the 30mm or the 50mm
the 50mm reviews are good whilst the 30mm reviews are average at best
views from owners in the real world seem to rate the 30 mm
oh its hard work lol
 
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Go to a shop and try them, and see what you think...None of our opinions/experiences etc matter...Only yours...
 
dejongj said:
Go to a shop and try them, and see what you think...None of our opinions/experiences etc matter...Only yours...
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now that would be unwise as I would be like a child in a sweetie shop :lol:
and I'd probably come away with both :lol: and probably a whole host of other goodies I didn't need either
 
Sorry :)
 
SixToes said:
You'll see more bokeh with the 50mm due to the longer focal length.
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with my photographic abilities and my auto out of focus 7d the whole of my pics are perfect bokeh including the subject matter:lol:
 
Niall97 said:
I was talking about the SIGMA 50mm, not the canon, the canon is also quite soft. If you watch digital rev then they did a crop standard test for nikon (bear with me) and the sigma 30 was ridiculously soft, I couldn’t live with that, in that review my Nikon 35mm F1.8 was in it and absolutely trounced it, so based off how sharp my 35 is, then compare it, I can make a pretty good assumption of how soft it is, and if I can’t use my prime wide open because it isn’t sharp then it render’s it useless IMO. And BTW, the Sigma 50mm is currently £309 so I think its a no brainer.
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The question of 'have you ever used one' still stands though...

They are not as soft as you describe, far from it. This lens is exceptionally sharp wide open. Shame the focus is so hit and miss but the optics are superb.
 
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