Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM

[deletedpenguin]

I've yet to do a focus test - but real life use seems on for me. I suppose I should check...now.

[X-Warrior]

On those tests focus seems only slightly off imho. Interestingly it seems to get worse when stopped down :?

[deletedpenguin]

^ Agreed. Mine seems tack sharp wide open, but I better do some tests.

[tkbslc]

^ Agreed. Mine seems tack sharp wide open, but I better do some tests.

Why would you care what focus charts look like if you real shooting is doing fine? Just leave well enough alone. I imagine if you do enough tests you can prove that any lens is garbage.

[deletedpenguin]

Probably, but that's the pessimist in me. It seems fine, but I want to be sure - especially since I'm travelling to Hawai'i then to Europe for a month. Just need to be sure ya know? :p

[X-Warrior]

Agreed, all this talk about 'test charts' and 'focus problems' only serves to fuel the paranoia in people that buy lenses new. I know it hit me, even though my lens is just fine. Just took me a year to learn to use it, that's all :roll:

[deletedpenguin]

^ That's likely my problem - still figuring out f/1.4. :p

[Dick Emery]

Well anyhow I got someone to do a focus test on a lens I want to buy off him and here is the result straight out of the camera (5DII hence why he is selling it).

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/martin.hilbers/ghgh/IMG_1982.JPG

If you get an error you will have to right click and save it then view it that way. I am not sure if this is OK or not. What do you think? Should I buy it?

[amytug]

looks likke a good'n

[Dick Emery]

Yeah I am thinking that too. Here's another of the right hand side. His light looks murky so again not the best conditions to test. But it looks good to me.

http://homepage.ntlworld.com/martin.hilbers/ghgh/IMG_1986.JPG

Now the only snag is it's an auction and I have to wait 5 days and bid on it. :P

I wish it was buy it now. I have asked him if he would be willing to change it to a buy it now but not sure he can even if he wanted to.

[amytug]

is it ebay? I haven't been following. ebay, yes you can.

[Dick Emery]

Yes it is. In before a bunch of other people searching for it and end up in a bidding war with me for it ;)

EDIT: Darn! He has 1 bidder on it and says he won't change it now that someone has made a bid. :P

[scottoliver]

I ran a focus test after getting some not-so-great pictures yesterday (and reading everyone else doing it here ;)). Focus is spot-on, as I thought it was. It may have been the low light (outside at sunset) or movement (daughter on scooter) or something else.

[tkbslc]

I ran a focus test after getting some not-so-great pictures yesterday (and reading everyone else doing it here ;)). Focus is spot-on, as I thought it was. It may have been the low light (outside at sunset) or movement (daughter on scooter) or something else.

f1.4-f1.8 is very unforgiving as the plane of focus is only a couple inches wide. It takes some practice, and sometimes luck to nail focus at such wide apertures - on any lens.

[tkbslc]

This lens served me well at my nephew's b-day party. I love how this lens is wide enough for environmental candids, but fast enough to extract just one person.

http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_7283.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_7298.jpg
http://i416.photobucket.com/albums/pp241/tkbslc/kids/IMG_7299.jpg

[egordon99]

+1

While it's sometimes nice to blur the background/non-subject elements into complete oblivion, the 30/1.4 blurs the out-of-focus elements JUST enough that you can easily make out the environment, but still have the subject pop-out.

This lens served me well at my nephew's b-day party. I love how this lens is wide enough for environmental candids, but fast enough to extract just one person.

[Depth]

Going through some of my older pics, so here's another one.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3358/3338701043_9d9b155a4b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3338701043/in/set-72157612965959412)

[KarlosDaJackal]

Used to cover an office event, celebrating cultural diversity, something like 50 nationalities working in this office.

Converted with Capture One Pro 4.8.0


http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3611/3571473258_d8178f20ab_o.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/karldenby/3571473258/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2426/3570668581_8a695953bd_o.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/karldenby/3570668581/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2421/3571474114_c80d48d696_o.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/karldenby/3571474114/)


http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2464/3570686705_539a1dfd01_o.jpg
(http://www.flickr.com/photos/karldenby/3570686705/)

[amytug]

karlos- great capture w/ that first one.. I LOL'd

[Simply Ravishing]

Some shots from my trip to the east coast this past weekend...

Philly Skyline
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3592761196_c7634c2b8d.jpg

Boathouse Row in Philly
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3588049494_80feb82245.jpg

[benee]

Quickly becoming one of my favorites...

[egordon99]

Nice shots of my "backyard" :lol:

(not really, I live about 30-40 minutes from the city....)

Some shots from my trip to the east coast this past weekend...

Philly Skyline
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3604/3592761196_c7634c2b8d.jpg

Boathouse Row in Philly
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2427/3588049494_80feb82245.jpg

[Pauly_G]

A couple from last weekend.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3314/3589492501_21e1776ff6_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3318/3581229477_811dbf6774_b.jpg

[bReed]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3327/3597417892_81c5ee371f.jpg?v=0

[cedew]

^^^ Ahhh Guantanamo...the good 'ol days.

[cedew]

I didn't have this lens very long, not sure why, I thought it was great. Sorry to post a photo of my cat, but it shows how nice the bokeh is. This lens is quite sharp as well, I'll probably have to grab another one some day.

http://www.corndography.com/misc/reCRW_0776.jpg

[BobbyT]

Been a while since I contributed.
http://images46.fotki.com/v1518/photos/2/949682/7600739/HCMOErie5-vi.jpg

http://images46.fotki.com/v1517/photos/2/949682/7600739/HCMOErie6-vi.jpg

http://images49.fotki.com/v1510/photos/2/949682/7600739/HCMOErie34-vi.jpg

[Dick Emery]

Just got my 'used' lens in the mail. It has a big fleck of dust right in the middle of the lens (inside). Fortunately it focuses right through it and I doubt it will be visible through any F stop. Other than that the lens seems good. Did the focus chart test and seems to pass it fine.

Oh yeah and it's HEAVY! In comparison to my Canon F1.8 which was as light as a feather.

The sky is grey today so my test shots were very dull to look at. I think it will take a while getting used to the idiosyncrosies of this lens. When fully open the depth of field is very shallow and if you don't have enough contrast and light on the subject it's liable to miss the point you are focusing on. I will be doing some test shooting tomorrow at my parents (Mothers birthday) and post any good ones here after. I wish the sun had not gone in today. I hate grey skies and tend to desaturate to B&W photos taken on days like this. I also do not feel as motivated to go out shooting :P

[Dick Emery]

OK did a few wandering around the flat. I am pleased with the results thus far. This thing can be sharp as hell wide open on the focal point.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3562/3599509743_d052c283ed_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3378/3600320968_086ba53222_o.jpg

100% crop with no sharpening wide open. Dayam!
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3599520445_3a08574f30_o.jpg

[.mark.]

had this lens for about a month now and I'm really liking it! here's a shot of my new cat and a 100% crop - shot at 1.4, 1/60, iso 200

Open Wide!

[.mark.]

and one more f1.4 1/60 iso 200

370986

100 Crop
370987

[Depth]

I'm stuck in this whole abstract phase right now.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3601806500/

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3337/3601806500_749afb00c8_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3601806500/)


And some lemons.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3601313357/

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2440/3601313357_338d33f7cd_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3601313357/)

[GregSteer]

Further ones for the archives:

1.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7841.jpg

2.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7878-Edit.jpg

3.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7942.jpg

4.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7966.jpg

5.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7981.jpg

6.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/TravellingFranceConcarneau_20090402_IMG_9576.jpg

7.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/TravellingFranceConcarneau_20090402_IMG_9578.jpg

[Dick Emery]

Further ones for the archives:
3.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7942.jpg

4.
http://www.darklight.org.uk/images/potn/lensarchives/Lincoln_20090308_IMG_7966.jpg


Great stuff!

[Dick Emery]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3408/3608077419_17db22a097_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3383/3608889356_7fd8f457e2_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3029/3608072729_6eddb30054_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3413/3608888040_7e40baa32d_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3608072139_4f0a5e28c8_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2480/3608071877_52d07e1c78_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3367/3608077017_993f0f2ed2_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3595/3608070723_3096735e4d_o.jpg

This focal length I am finding tricky to get used to. I am wondering now whether I should have got the 50mm version. Hmm. I will live with it for a while and see if I (and my subjects) can get used to it.

[smacafee]

from a 5d mark ii (not cropped)

[bReed]

Im selling mine if any one is interested.

[jdlloyd67]

Service update...

Sent mine to Sigma NY. They recieved it last Thursday. Now it's on its way to CRIS in Arizona.

To be continued...

[randy98mtu]

Loving this lens. My Canon 50 f/1.4 used to be my most used lens. This is a much better indoor focal length on my 40D though.

http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496542/large.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496542)

http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496540/large.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496540)

Edit: Boy, when you put those side by side you can see how far off the wb is on that second one! I need to adjust that and see what it looks like.

[egordon99]

I think our living room's have the same color walls :) (and I always have the dangest time getting the WB correct)

And I also shoot my son with the 30/1.4 ALL THE TIME and I always get amazing shots....



Loving this lens. My Canon 50 f/1.4 used to be my most used lens. This is a much better indoor focal length on my 40D though.

http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496542/large.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496542)

http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496540/large.jpg (http://www.pbase.com/randy98mtu/image/113496540)

Edit: Boy, when you put those side by side you can see how far off the wb is on that second one! I need to adjust that and see what it looks like.

[Dick Emery]

Still trying to get to grips with this lens.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3661/3617522248_fe065e543e_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3616703421_6ccb9f441e_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3389/3617523604_f48a720d37_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3388/3617524654_303a29fa70_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3617525022_73e5f17f3a_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3617524826_e855c13906_o.jpg

[Depth]

Just used mine for some portrait shots. Once stopped down to 1.8 and slower it's sharp every time. Probably like that since the DoF at 1.4 and 1.6 is extremely thin.

And it seems my copy does best at f/2.8 for me.

[deletedpenguin]

Yeah, I'm with you on that - it's just about right around 2.8, because 1.4 can very very thin.

[Depth]

I hate harsh lighting.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3330/3623261996_d7618ac395_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3623261996/)

[hiddengamer7]

Mine just came today! I love shooting with it, but its back focused about a quarter inch, oh well.

[Dick Emery]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3041/3622609309_5b009d6115_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2442/3623427838_b8b46cc984_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2447/3623425474_4dcf73c5fd_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3623423716_763d2363e5_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3623416256_e6c92dbea4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3380/3622597305_29d1afea73_o.jpg

[deletedpenguin]

Love the Guinness shot!

[jdlloyd67]

Love the Guinness shot!
+1 for the Guiness shot

[hiddengamer7]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3328/3625991647_7b2981c667.jpg?v=0

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3299/3625993673_d02dd9949f.jpg?v=0

[Dick Emery]

All these have been manipulated a lot so not sure if fair as 'samples'. But they were taken with the Sigma :)
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3629/3626833288_e966964a6b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3542/3626833594_7ac7399ecb_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3648/3626834118_72cc2c1b8e_o.jpg

[deletedpenguin]

Finally, a more real world shot with my lens.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3628066358_0a2eca21e8_o.jpg

[nik.hisham]

At the start of my recent holiday to New Zealand. Took tons of pics with the Sigma 30. http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2484/3631668328_0778588448_b.jpg

[Eyies]

Wow amazing lens.. looks like I'm gonna have to get it as a 'everything' lense... normal, short portrait, walkaround..

[Cassie]

http://thompson-photo.smugmug.com/photos/532297707_UC8Ao-L.jpg

[JS300]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2254/1584074664_c635e48dd0_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2343/1801941477_bbb78fbea4_o.jpg

[jbkalla]

They made the K1000 in blue? Mine's only black!

[JS300]

They made the K1000 in blue? Mine's only black!

haha, no. this one was recovered! ;)

[Dick Emery]

I can't seem to take this lens off now I am getting to grips with it. :)

This particular shoot I made a mistake and shot all JPG instead of RAW like I usually do. Post processing was a nightmare because of it.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3548/3632372959_118d7b6175_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3317/3633181082_a38ae6aaa4_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3632366621_707b9b1416_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3594/3633177248_bddc6e91f7_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2424/3633175176_1e4228fd27_o.jpg

Gotta love a red Mini :)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2455/3633184520_bc88882dff_o.jpg

[egordon99]

Nice shots Dick! Your pictures "mirror" the types of "walk-about" shots I get with my copy. Shooting at f/1.4 is so addicting!

[Hertog Jan]

I just bought a second hand Sigma 30 F/1.4 with still 9 months warranty for €280,-. Pretty good deal, I think!

Hoping to get it before the weekend :D!

[hiddengamer7]

I sure do love my copy.

[S-S]

me too :)

[Depth]

Also love mine. And to think I almost let the "bad copy" stories get to me, glad I didn't get a Canon 28mm f/1.8 instead.

Shot at f/2.5

View on black (http://bighugelabs.com/flickr/onblack.php?id=3635213592&size=large&posted=1)
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2456/3635213592_be60ea7f3e_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3635213592/)

[cracotzia]

Hi, I´ve recently received my 30 mm, did some test and everything about af is ok; no front or back-focus problems, just one thing: I suspect there is some decentering problem -not very pronounced though- as the extreme right side (note, not just the corners) is out of focus, more visible than the left side, from 1.4 to f/8. It´s the only little dissapointing issue, so I´m thinking about sending it for a calibration instead of trying a new copy.
So, Is there anybody who had a similar problem of decentering with a happy ending after a trip to sigma´s technical support?

thanks and regards...

[X-Warrior]

Are you sure that isn't your body doing the decentering ? Had it on my 400D. On my 50D it isn't quite as apparent.

[cracotzia]

what do you mean?
I have not seen such decentering effect on the rest of my gear (35 mm f/2 17-40L, 28-135 nor the "ef-s" such as 18-55...just a little on my sigma 10-20.

regards

[cracotzia]

the body is 40d. The only one that i have...by now

[secretpact]

I just got mine today. I think mine is one of the bad mis-focusing ones :(. Check out these focus test shots:

[scottoliver]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2431/3636510755_ff62088334.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottoliver/3636510755/)

[S-S]

test charts are not the best way to see if a lens is misbehaving - they can often focus on somewhere quite different to where you think they are focusing... most of the siggy 30's front/back-focusing faults show up better at longer range

try placing a subject about 8 feet away beside a fence or wall that comes towards you, and focus on the face at f/1.4, then see if the shot is sharp; and if not, where does the wall come into focus... behind the subject or in front, and how far?

[X-Warrior]

what do you mean?
I have not seen such decentering effect on the rest of my gear (35 mm f/2 17-40L, 28-135 nor the "ef-s" such as 18-55...just a little on my sigma 10-20.

regards

Neither have I seen it on my other gear. Yet getting another body 'solved' it. You probably won't notice quite as easily with other lenses, because their DoF isn't as ridiculously shallow as the 30mm.


@secretpact - that doesn't look too bad just yet. I'd give it some shots for real and then make up your mind.


Edit: btw, secretpact's test chart shots seem to show a bit of decentering as well. Unless I'm very mistaken about what was meant by this in the first place :roll:

[secretpact]

Edit: btw, secretpact's test chart shots seem to show a bit of decentering as well. Unless I'm very mistaken about what was meant by this in the first place :roll:

I don't really know what you mean by decentering, but my images were cropped hastily. lol sorry.

[cracotzia]

Neither have I seen it on my other gear. Yet getting another body 'solved' it. You probably won't notice quite as easily with other lenses, because their DoF isn't as ridiculously shallow as the 30mm.



@secretpact - that doesn't look too bad just yet. I'd give it some shots for real and then make up your mind.


Edit: btw, secretpact's test chart shots seem to show a bit of decentering as well. Unless I'm very mistaken about what was meant by this in the first place :roll:

shallow DoF? possible, but not at f/5.6 with a subject 50 m. away, and at that value the problem exists. I Compare it for example to canon 35 f/2 using the same aperture value (5.6) and the canon (being of course EF-"sweet spot on aps") doesn´t show any problem of that kind.

Still don´t know if any kind of calibration by sigma service should be possible and satisfying or maybe I should send it back for a refund...

thanx for the comments...

[nik.hisham]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3639148064_921c11711d_b.jpg

[Coppatop85]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3233/3639148064_921c11711d_b.jpg

What is this picture of? It is so vibrant! I love it.

[X-Warrior]

I don't really know what you mean by decentering, but my images were cropped hastily. lol sorry.

What I mean is the sharp area going a bit from the top-left to the lower-right, instead of straight from left to right.
I assumed this was what cracotzia meant by 'decentering'. If not, just ignore all I said before :p

[cracotzia]

What I mean is the sharp area going a bit from the top-left to the lower-right, instead of straight from left to right.
I assumed this was what cracotzia meant by 'decentering'. If not, just ignore all I said before :p

¿?
I think that decentering is just a variation of focus across the frame, no matter the direction. The performance of the lens should be symmetrical, if it is not there should be a problem of alignment of the optical elements. Please correct me if I´m wrong. In my copy, it´s not always so evident, but i´d like to know...I´m not sure if that issue can be corrected by service.

Anyway, the possibilities of this lens are amazing. I like it!:D

regards.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/pifatore/

[nik.hisham]

What is this picture of? It is so vibrant! I love it.

I actually have no idea. We were on a beach at Gore Bay (holiday in New Zealand) and this was growing out of the sandy beach. There were even some on the side of the road.

[smacafee]

I actually have no idea. We were on a beach at Gore Bay (holiday in New Zealand) and this was growing out of the sandy beach. There were even some on the side of the road.

It looks like a very colorful version of the iceplant we get here in northern California...

[runninmann]

It looks like a very colorful version of the iceplant we get here in northern California...Yep. That would be my guess as well.

[Dick Emery]

Trying some night shooting.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3616/3644676679_33a49cc48c_o.jpg

[S-S]

those succulents grow all over some beaches in nz and have yellow or pink flowers

[deletedpenguin]

Another 30mm shot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3648139093_be0d095d03_o.jpg

[jdlloyd67]

Sigma lens service update...

Sent my 30mm to Sigma to correct a back focus issue around the 1st of the month. They sent it on to CRIS in Arizona on the 5th. I haven't heard a peep from Sigma on the status of the lens. I called CRIS today and apparently they haven't touched the lens yet and don't expect to get to it for another 2 weeks. This is pretty rediculous in my opinion. Hopefully no one else has such a long repair time as I expect mine to be when I finally receive the lens back from Sigma. :confused:

[jbkalla]

I also sent my lenses to NY, thinking that they would be better-serviced there. After a couple weeks they sent my lenses to AZ. It took a couple weeks after that before I received them.

Note to people closer to Arizona: Just send your lenses directly there!

Of course, the lenses were immaculate and packed nicely when I finally did receive them! AZ did a great job!

Keep the receipts in case you get a full-frame camera and want to sell the lens. I would imagine it would be easier to sell with proof that it's been adjusted.

[jdlloyd67]

Another 30mm shot.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3301/3648139093_be0d095d03_o.jpg
Great shot! Only thing I'd do differently is to remove the dust specks on the dog's face.

[deletedpenguin]

Thanks. Yeah the pup has dry skin. :( I've been too lazy to get to that, but I agree.

[Dick Emery]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3654803787_d7259d277b_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3373/3655599400_53a37c92f2_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3628/3654803313_29cfb1fa45_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3334/3654804411_aa25f714d0_o.jpg

I find the lack of people disturbing.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3654804885_7dd875324b_o.jpg

[deletedpenguin]

Haha, kinda uncomfortable without anyone around. :)

[jbkalla]

Wow. You're right! It's like an abandoned city!

[scottoliver]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3614/3655495127_501f6d44a9_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/scottoliver/3655495127/)

[bReed]

Mines for sale here:
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=708582

[rsboag]

Quick question on this lens. I just bought a used 40d here on the forum I currently have two old school cheap lenses I am using temporally. Would you all recommend this lens for a walk around lens. Would it be wise to purchase this lens since I do not have any other real lenses. Some people say that a prime lens is the only way to go. Or should I look for something like a 17-50mm. I will be mostly shooting indoors/outdoors (family, baby, dog).

Thanks!!

[smacafee]

Quick question on this lens. I just bought a used 40d here on the forum I currently have two old school cheap lenses I am using temporally. Would you all recommend this lens for a walk around lens. Would it be wise to purchase this lens since I do not have any other real lenses. Some people say that a prime lens is the only way to go. Or should I look for something like a 17-50mm. I will be mostly shooting indoors/outdoors (family, baby, dog).

Thanks!!

I think this lens is much more satisfying than all but the most expensive of zooms, and I frequently carry it as my only lens. I also have an 18-55 IS which often gets neglected because of my sigma.

[deletedpenguin]

Quick question on this lens. I just bought a used 40d here on the forum I currently have two old school cheap lenses I am using temporally. Would you all recommend this lens for a walk around lens. Would it be wise to purchase this lens since I do not have any other real lenses. Some people say that a prime lens is the only way to go. Or should I look for something like a 17-50mm. I will be mostly shooting indoors/outdoors (family, baby, dog).

Thanks!!

It hasn't come off my camera since I bought it.

[tkbslc]

I think this lens is much more satisfying than all but the most expensive of zooms, and I frequently carry it as my only lens. I also have an 18-55 IS which often gets neglected because of my sigma.

me too. The 18-55 IS only goes on when I know I will be outside all day or think I might need some wide angle.

[deletedpenguin]

True, I suppose you'll never get a wide angle shot, or even a zoom shot, but having a prime on your camera really makes you think differently than you would otherwise - framing, composition, etc.

[rsboag]

I guess the question is. If you all could have one lens would it be the 30mm Sig or a 17-50 of comperable value?

[deletedpenguin]

My favourite lens has been the Sigma 10-20, but now that i've got the 30mm, I dunno honestly. I love the razor thin bokeh. Allows for a whole different level of creativity.

[Mark-B]

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 on a Canon 5D
ISO 1600, f/1.4, 1/100 at minimum focus distance

http://bienvenu.zenfolio.com/img/v0/p577517347-4.jpg

[Dick Emery]

I wrote a few pages back that I got one of these lenses off ebay and it has a speck of debris in the middle of the lens but it is inside and does not move. I also said it did not effect the lens because it focused through it. I can now say I think it DOES effect the lens. Unfortunately the seller seems to have sold me a duff lens and probably knew it was there. The lens is out of warranty and it's too expensive to get repaired.

As you can see from the images below this is what seems to be happening. I noticed in shots where there was strong light or flare that a strange coloured dot would appear. I thought it was the optics or the the coating but now I think it's that peice of debris.

Lens debris itself.
http://i56.photobucket.com/albums/g190/deadman3000/IMG_5233.jpg

The first time I saw something odd was in this shot. There is a blue oddity on the side of this mans right leg.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3545/3632366621_707b9b1416_o.jpg

But today I noticed some weirdness going on that was even stronger when there was strong direct sunlight. See the obvious red blob.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/3663544157_8fd18b3d46_o.jpg

But if I rotate to portrait the blob has moved.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2439/3664346168_2f461cebf5_o.jpg

I am rather upset about this. It means I cannot shoot anything if it has a strong direct light into the lens. I spent rather a lot on it too (£271 inc postage) for a non-warranty lens. The seller did not say anything about it and even though they did the focus chart test for me I noticed that they used a stock photo to advertise the lens instead of actual photos of it.

I am now unsure what to do. I would feel bad about trying to sell it on knowing it has this flaw. But it seems there are people out there who don't seem to care about selling on duff stuff. :(

Can anyone confirm what my fear is here? It is the debris causing this right?

EDIT: BTW Sigma's FAQ says dust in the lens does not effect photos. But that's a pretty big peice of 'dust'. It's more like a flake of something that came off some moving part inside and lodged between the lens elements.

[Coppatop85]

Send it to sigma for repair?

[jdlloyd67]

It'll take you about 2 seconds to clone out those spots in Photoshop. I'd not worry too much if the lens is not effecting the majority of the time.

[Dick Emery]

Send it to sigma for repair?

Why would Canon repair a Sigma lens?

[Dick Emery]

It'll take you about 2 seconds to clone out those spots in Photoshop. I'd not worry too much if the lens is not effecting the majority of the time.

I know. I am able to do this in Lightroom. I shall do when I have some spare time. But I can envisage the occasion when it would be obvious without a lot of time taken to shop it out without it looking obvious (Fine patterns etc). Besides this should not be the case. I can understand lens flare. But dust flare is a new one on me.

[Dick Emery]

Well I played in Lightroom and luckily the spot fix tool makes it really easy to fix. It's still annoying that I should need to do that though but I guess it's part and parcel of the photography game. Plus there is also the issue of resellable value. I would have to be dishonest if selling it on on Ebay and there is always the chance that the buyer could complain against me for not mentioning it. I don't know if I could do that with my conscience.

[ThomasOwenM]

I love mine. Here's one I did with it:

http://tommeinenphotography.com/jeswin/IMG_0604crop.jpg

[Dick Emery]

I love mine too. I will just have to be aware of that problem and deal with it in post processing. 99% of the time it has no effect on my photos.

[Dick Emery]

May as well share the fixed photos along with some others I took Friday.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2607/3663544157_6ea33d9f23_o.jpg

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2436/3663543909_c4a356cb47_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3657/3663544069_f59b72fc71_o.jpg

You wat you lose.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3655/3663545903_1b1f803858_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3664/3664347992_63f63296c0_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3331/3663543657_f8dc15ba38_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3550/3664345228_ff1493ac5f_o.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3645/3664344088_911d297230_o.jpg

[Dick Emery]

This is such a great night life lens *IF* you get the focus locked on right.
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3612/3663541807_e45ce769f1_o.jpg

[deletedpenguin]

Here's another recent one taken with the 30mm.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2454/3666712229_c36210af26_o.jpg

[S-S]

Well I played in Lightroom and luckily the spot fix tool makes it really easy to fix. It's still annoying that I should need to do that though but I guess it's part and parcel of the photography game. Plus there is also the issue of resellable value. I would have to be dishonest if selling it on on Ebay and there is always the chance that the buyer could complain against me for not mentioning it. I don't know if I could do that with my conscience.

contact the seller and ask them to refund you. manufacturer warrenty or not, there is such as thing as described condition and reasonable purchaser expectations

i bought 2 copies of this lens, both secondhand, before i got a good one. my first one had bad front-focusing and i asked the seller to take it back after having it diagnosed by sigma repair centre. he complied, and i got all my money back. then i bought a better one and couldnt be happier with it

[Dick Emery]

lol I can't be bothered and it's only on the 1% shots and easily fixed in post processing. Seriously I could try with the guy but I don't have the guts to argue it out. I'll just get the maximum use out of it and be aware of those shots that might give trouble. It's only where strong light is coming directly into the middle portion of the lens that causes problems anyhow. I don't do those kind of shots often. This is mainly a low light and bokeh lens although I have been using it for more than that as it's pretty sharp at 2.8 upwards.

Here's some self portrait fun.
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2557/3673942938_e30d44fa47_o.jpg

[nik.hisham]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2478/3698428056_138db351d4_b.jpg

[tkbslc]

Man I was "this" close to selling this lens for a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 because I need portrait length, too. BUt when I look at my shots I have taken with it and the shots you guys take with it, I can't let it go. I just can't. It is too perfect of a lens.

[egordon99]

^ AWESOME shot Nik!

[egordon99]

Man I was "this" close to selling this lens for a Tamron 28-75 f2.8 because I need portrait length, too. BUt when I look at my shots I have taken with it and the shots you guys take with it, I can't let it go. I just can't. It is too perfect of a lens.

It really is a cracker of a lens....I'm trying to pull off picking up a 24-70L so I won't have to do the 2-body prime dealio on shoots (30 on one body, 85/1.8 on the other) but I can still see myself grabbing the 30 to shoot at f/1.4-2.

[nik.hisham]

^ AWESOME shot Nik!

Thanks.

[nik.hisham]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2477/3696859063_b9c3524a2f_b.jpg

[dgoakill]

http://dgoakill.com/img/v3/p662576113-4.jpg

http://dgoakill.com/img/v1/p240731009-4.jpg

[digger58]

Just ordered one on Wed. I can hardly wait till it gets here

[picturecrazy]

This is probably one of my most favourite lenses. More than any L in my bag. If all my lenses were this amazing wide open I'd be in heaven.

Here are a couple... ALL at F/1.4.
http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/SavillaB/125059_8358.jpg

http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/misc/forumpics/wff/CarolB/182625_8615.jpg

http://www.nightanddayphoto.ca/slides/08/GinaChrisW/images/151600_5515-1.jpg

[amytug]

well I can't really compare to the rest, but here is one of mine.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3463/3706148314_5f994d009c_o.jpg

[pixel_junkie]

Wow, that's an excellent shot! Mad props .. ^^

[nik.hisham]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2648/3709869716_2a474dd445_b.jpg

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3093/3708961125_48bef60b59_b.jpg

[jdlloyd67]

My Siggy 30 is back from the shop and workin' pretty good...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/misc/Madison2_070309_sm.jpg

[Depth]

Focuses perfectly on my 50D.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3095/3710901434_fe0d90d46d_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3710901434/)

[jdlloyd67]

I gave my Siggy 30 a shot at some Strobist-type stuff tonight. I didn't do too bad!!! ;)

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/misc/Wine-n-Fruit_Sigma30_sm.jpg

Tripod mounted shot using a single 430EX strobe overhead and a workman's light for fill from the left side. Shot at f/11 for 1/13 sec at ISO 100.

[jbkalla]

My Siggy 30 is back from the shop and workin' pretty good...

http://www.dldigitalimages.com/misc/Madison2_070309_sm.jpg

Fantastic shot! Love the lighting. It almost looks 3D!

[Depth]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3478/3711293675_f47138e715_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3711293675/)

[nik.hisham]

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2615/3712756624_47934deb33_b.jpg

[amytug]

Wow, that's an excellent shot! Mad props .. ^^
LOL I feel like the ugly girl in highschool who thinks the hot guy is saying hello to someone behind her but really he's talking to her..

did you mean my pic? gosh, thanks if so!!! :o that makes me feel good :) you know.. if you were talking to me and not the poster before me. lol

ps- thanks for helping me decide to get the 30. I stinkin LOVE this lens. I mean LOVE.

[m1ket4n]

I love this lens!

Here's a few taken at wide apertures:

ƒ/1.8:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3656/3687199122_bccca9c808_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-tan/3687199122/)

ƒ/1.4:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2472/3711606160_96a16e0cac_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-tan/3711606160/)

ƒ/1.4:
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2553/3701880786_2d3e2bea2b_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/mike-tan/3701880786/in/set-72157620988452213/)

[amytug]

now that ^ is a weird but fascinating bridge. It's like a funhouse bridge!

[T-Bolt]

http://www.evitbolt.com/wp-content/images/honeybees/honeybees4.jpg
http://www.evitbolt.com/wp-content/images/honeybees/honeybees5.jpg

[just12]

All Canon 1D + Sigma 30mm at f/2

1.
http://img44.imageshack.us/img44/1614/57020027.jpg (http://img44.imageshack.us/i/57020027.jpg/)

2.
http://img149.imageshack.us/img149/4488/54375215.jpg (http://img149.imageshack.us/i/54375215.jpg/)

3.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/4416/zegarek.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/zegarek.jpg/)

4. crop 100% from 3.
http://img190.imageshack.us/img190/5369/zegarcrop.jpg (http://img190.imageshack.us/i/zegarcrop.jpg/)

[deletedpenguin]

^#3 is fantastic.

[amytug]

i liked number 2

[just12]

more of Siggy 30mm on 1d

5. 30mm f/1.4
http://img151.imageshack.us/img151/9130/96624468.jpg

6. f/2.2
http://img204.imageshack.us/img204/6311/57995955.jpg

[tkbslc]

These look very film-like. Are you processing them at all?

(I like them, btw, just wondering..)

And are you losing some of the frame using it on a 1D?

[Depth]

This lens focuses way better on my 50D than it did on my XSi. And yes, this is a mirror shot... took it to show my glasses I just got. Had an eye exam last friday and my assumptions were correct, I'm near-sighted.

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2621/3722323888_bf91ae1a27_b.jpg (http://www.flickr.com/photos/42504877@N00/3722323888/)

[dgoakill]

http://dgoakill.com/img/v1/p1006195848-4.jpg

sigma 30mm & 430ex II

[jdlloyd67]

sigma 30mm & 430ex II
Cute pic! Nice and sharp!!! ;)

[Terjay]

I cropped about half of this but it still keeps the detail nicely.

http://fc07.deviantart.com/fs48/i/2009/194/4/b/Bee_happy_by_Terjay.jpg

[just12]

These look very film-like. Are you processing them at all?

(I like them, btw, just wondering..)

And are you losing some of the frame using it on a 1D?

There is no PP (except a little sharpening after resizing)
Images from 1d just look that good straight from camera :)

About losing frame: this is not a problem. On fast apertures (like 1.4, 2.0) it is hardly visible, on slower a little more (but still small) and you can crop it easily

/most of my images are not cropped, just resized/

[KarlosDaJackal]

Streets of Dublin - f/1.4 - 1/1600 - ISO200
http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2465/3724885732_5b0bd02c01_b.jpg

[Pauly_G]

Annecy in the French Alps

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3536/3726960657_51238b5b05_b.jpg

[jbkalla]

Annecy in the French Alps


Fantastic!

[jdlloyd67]

Fantastic!
+1 for Fantastic

[Pauly_G]

Fantastic!

+1 for Fantastic

Cheers!

Here's another from the same region, up a small hill....

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3530/3729715707_7414ab86c8_b.jpg