Has anyone here got the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 for his DSLR?

Discussion in 'Photography Equipment & Products' started by Jeremy Z, Jan 9, 2007.

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  1. Jan 9, 2007 #1
    Jeremy Z

    Jeremy Z No longer a newbie, moving up!

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    [​IMG]

    It looks like a beauty, but it seems like Sigma is really proud ($430) that no one else makes one yet...

    Any technical reason it should cost double what a 50mm f/1.4 does?


     
  2. Jan 9, 2007 #2
    darin3200

    darin3200 TPF Noob!

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    I've the 20mm f/1.8, which is similar to this, and it's a good lens.

    Canon makes a 35mm f/1.4L lens that sells for around $1300.

    I don't the principle behind it, but 50mm lenses seem to be cheaper and small, and of course more in demand. Lenses such as 85mm or 35mm are bigger at the same apertures. Just using canon as an example, their 35mm f/1.4 is $1300, a 50mm f/1.2 is about the same price although the 50mm is faster
     
  3. Jan 9, 2007 #3
    Jeremy Z

    Jeremy Z No longer a newbie, moving up!

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    I think its that wide angles need fancier optical formulae to correct for barrel distortion, and telephotos need fancier optical formulae to correct for pincusion distortion.

    But this 30 mm is equivalent to about 50mm in 35mm format, so it shouldn't have those problems.
     
  4. Jan 9, 2007 #4
    darin3200

    darin3200 TPF Noob!

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    You mean on digital? The sigma lenses also work on full-frame, so they need to address barrel distortion problems if you shoot with it on a film camera
     
  5. Jan 10, 2007 #5
    Big Mike

    Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I think he means 'in general'...not just on digital, when talking about the corrections that a lens has to make.

    I have heard really good things about this Sigma lens and have considered it myself. I'm not 100% sure, but I think that it's made for APS-C cameras (all Nikon and Canon Rebels & 30D etc.)...and will not work for a full frame camera. To me, that is it's worst trait...even if you don't use full frame.

    A Canon 35mm F1.4 or a 28mm F1.8 or any of those prime lenses...are made to be used on full frame (or 35mm film) which means that when used on an APS-C digital...that you are only using the middle of the lens...the sweet spot.
     
  6. Jan 10, 2007 #6
    Don Simon

    Don Simon TPF Noob!

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    As I understand it, the Sigma lenses are designed for use on both full-frame and APS-C if they have the "DG" designation, and for APS-C only if "DC". I think the 30mm unlike most of Sigma's primes is a "DC" designed for APS-C sensors. Although obviously I stand corrected if anyone's used one successfully on 35mm film or a full-frame DSLR.
     
  7. Jan 10, 2007 #7
    Big Mike

    Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Staff Member Supporting Member

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    Sigma website

     
  8. Jan 10, 2007 #8
    Jeremy Z

    Jeremy Z No longer a newbie, moving up!

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    That is what it seems like, but I haven't read yet if that is how it works out in practice. I'm sure the photo magazines have gone over it and I just haven't been reading them lately.
     
  9. Jan 10, 2007 #9
    Big Mike

    Big Mike I am Big, I am Mike Staff Member Supporting Member

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    I suppose it's hard to really compare...unless you use the same lens on an APS-C camera and then on a full frame digital. I've read a few reviews/tests that pretty much confirm that using only the centre of the lens is better.

    Just look at most lens tests...they often mention that sharpness, CA & distortion etc. is worse at the edges and corners. If your camera/sensor crops off the bad parts...then you are left with the candy centre...well maybe that's a tootsie pop...but you get the point. :D
     
  10. Jan 10, 2007 #10
    darin3200

    darin3200 TPF Noob!

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    So the 30mm f/1.4 can only be used on digital. Although it's bigger, the cheaper 28mm f/1.8 can also be used on full-frame cameras, so if you ever decided to upgrade it might be a good choice.
     
  11. Jan 10, 2007 #11
    Jeremy Z

    Jeremy Z No longer a newbie, moving up!

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    That is a great point, darin. ...and since I'm considering a K1000 as a backup....
     
  12. Jan 12, 2007 #12
    nakedyak

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    i debated about getting the sigma 30mm f1.4 for like a year. I just got the canon 35mm f2, and at about $215, its pretty great. Good sharpness at f2, and very good from about f2.5 on. Its a much easier focal length on the 20d than the 50mm f1.8 II is
     
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