Can someone post a 50 1.8 vs. Sigma 30 1.4?

[PhilipJohnBasile]

I currently have the 50mm but i want to see if the sigma is worth getting. I find the 50mm to be a bit wide on the Rebel XT. I want to see the difference istanding in the same place taking a photo of something and I also want a comparision in low light situations of the same object or person. If someone can do this for me, thanks alot!

[dave_bass5]

This is the best i can offer at the moment. both taken with flash so not a good example of low light
first is taken with the 30mm at f/4.0
http://davepearce.smugmug.com/photos/44350088-L.jpg

second taken from the same place with the 50mm f/1.8 II at f/2.5
http://davepearce.smugmug.com/photos/44350037-L.jpg

hope this helps

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Very helpfull with the focal lenght, but was this taken with a 1.6 crop factor camera? Now if we can do a pitch black no flash type of test from someone else that would be excellent. I want to see how both lenses do low light.

[dave_bass5]

Yes, taken with a 350D.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Great. I'm amazed how big of a difference the lenght is. What are your thoughts Dave on both lenses?

[jfrancho]

You can do this test yourself - you have two zooms that both cover 30 and 50mm.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

You can do this test yourself - you have two zooms that both cover 30 and 50mm.

Actually I can't they aren't the two lenses that I want covered. Each lens is different. What may be 300mm for one may not be for another.

Check out this article
http://www.wlcastleman.com/equip/reviews/28_300/compare/compare.htm

If I am going to plunk down 300+ bucks on a lens I want to make sure I've got some real life examples for aid. Testimonials. Etc. :lol:

[NordieBoy]

He can do the focal length test but was wanting a low-light comparison.

[JohnnyBlood]

The bokeh on the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC is much better than it is on the Canon 50mm f/1.8 II. Also, the 30mm focal length is much better on my 20D than 50mm is. I hardly ever get much use out of the 50mm on my 20D. It is, however, getting much more use on my new 5D, on which the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC will produce extreme vignetting.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Thanks for helping me but as per that article proves, I really can't do the focal test myself if I really want to know the real stats. I hope everyone learned something from this because I was a bit amazed at it myself. Its the last test on the page from the link that I posted.

[jfrancho]

Sounds to me that if you are splitting hairs so finely, that you'll need to go to a store and do the legwork for yourself. I would think that looking through the viewer at those focal lengths on your own camera would give you a better idea about FOV, than someone elses testimonial or pictures of a chicken. As far as low light performance goes, that is going to come down to focusing accuracy (the 50 1.8 is not highly regarded in this respect) I would expect quite a bit of variability at this price point, but you should settle for no less than perfect. Since we're on the subjct, I can highly recommend the Canon EF 28 f/1.8 USM and completely vouch (http://plan-b.smugmug.com/photos/59246916-L.jpg) for it's low light focusing ability.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Yeah I bit the bullet and bought the sigma. The 50 1.8 just didn't cut it with the focusing which really made me mad. I pray I get a sharp one. Should I sell the 50 1.8? Will it still have a use? I'm still a newbie to photography. The 17-55 is really obsolete now since I have four lens that cover that range, but its better to keep than to sell as I wouldn't get much for it. I think I am set now for quite some time. I am TOTALLY in love with my 28-135mm. That thing is SOOO sharp and rich in colour. I got really lucky with that one.

[jfrancho]

When you get, run this test (http://www.focustestchart.com/chart.html) on it. As far as the 50 goes, that's up to you. I have a 28, 35, 50, and a 17-40, and a 28-300 and a 70-200, so I'm not the right guy to talk to about overlap. All those lenses have their own purpose, though I am thinking of dropping the 28-300. I already dropped the 28-75. I'm rambling now, but the from all accounts and pics I've seen the 30 is a great lens.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Does this lens have a focus problem? Also I'm curious as to what each lens you have and thier purpose.

[jfrancho]

Not that I know of, but like I said, settle for nothing less than perfect. You'll never regret it.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Great saying man.

[jfrancho]

I think it may be from a Lexus commercial or something.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Man this will be my LAST lens for quite some time now. I just loaded up on all this equipment since Jan. Everything has a use except the kit lens really. Is it still usefull?

[andrewaaa5]

I think it may be from a Lexus commercial or something.

Do Lexus make lenses too :P

[dave_bass5]

REALLY REALLY SORRY FOR THE ABOVE POST.
Just realised they have both been cropped differently, hence the big difference in focal lengths.
I do have the originals and can post them if anyones still wants to see them.
Again, sorry for the confusion.
Im thinking of getting rid of my Sigma because i really only got it for indoors shooting and as i always use a flash i might as well use my Canon 28-105 as this has better focusing although it may not be as sharp. the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a bit to long for indoors but i have used it quite a bit, both in and outdoors and i like it more than the Sigma mainly because its lighter.

[jfrancho]

REALLY REALLY SORRY FOR THE ABOVE POST.
Just realised they have both been cropped differently, hence the big difference in focal lengths.
I do have the originals and can post them if anyones still wants to see them.
Again, sorry for the confusion.
Im thinking of getting rid of my Sigma because i really only got it for indoors shooting and as i always use a flash i might as well use my Canon 28-105 as this has better focusing although it may not be as sharp. the Canon 50mm 1.8 is a bit to long for indoors but i have used it quite a bit, both in and outdoors and i like it more than the Sigma mainly because its lighter.What's there to be sorry for? They demonstrate the comparable quality of the two lenses quite well.

[Andy_T]

Does this lens have a focus problem? Also I'm curious as to what each lens you have and thier purpose.

When my Sigma 30/1.4 arrived at my place new, it had awful front focus on my 20D so I was considering to send it back to the dealer for a refund.

I sent it back to Sigma for re-calibration instead and it came back with great performance. from my following this forum, this happens at about 50% of buyers :shock:

Still - It is my most used lens now, and I am pretty happy that I did not send it back for a refund, but rather gave then another try to get it right.

As to the comparison in focal length, take a look at this thread: http://www.photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?p=748763#post748763
I posted two uncropped images there, one from my 50/1.4, the other from my 28/1.8, but this should be pretty close to the Sigma 30/1.4. Hope it helps.

Best regards,
Andy

[dave_bass5]

Im sorry that i gave the impression that both were shot from the same place (although they were) as i wanted to show the difference in focal lengths as well as the image quality.
no harm done i hope

[jfrancho]

Everything has a use except the kit lens really. Is it still usefull?Lens toss with the kids.

[Andy_T]

Man this will be my LAST lens for quite some time now.

Define 'quite some time' ... a month? :lol:

Looks like you had the wide end covered ... :wink:

Best regards,
Andy

[PhilipJohnBasile]

Well no harm done then. I was rather mad at my Iffy Fifty anyhow. I had taken photos for my mother's birthday and half of them were focused in the back and not in the front because of low light. The 30mm will be good for when I want to go out light. I'd bring this and the 28-135 if I want a zoomer. The 28-135 is my current fav out of all of the lenses, but the 10-20mm is fun for outside, but not at night. I'll keep the 50mm, and when I feel the urge to go PRIME CRAZY I'll bring it out. The kit lens will be used for hockey. Being the puck that is..lol The 30mm is better for me because I like taking photos of groups and body shots. In a restaurant it will give me more room.

[dave_bass5]

I must admit i dont trust the focus on my Sigma as much as i do with the Canon. went out at the weekend and it was sunny here in london. first day i took the Sigma as its my most used lens since i got it but have only really used it indoors since i got it. most of the shots were out of focus by a small degree even though i had focus confirmation. this was shooting distant objects and the kids running around. I have been happy with indoor pics but not these. on sunday i took the 50mm 1.8 out and nearly all the shots came out fine. It took longewr to focus sometimes but when it did it was fine. this was at the smae location under the same circumstances
Maybe my sigma has a distance problem. i think the focus speed is better on the sigma but the results arent always.
Im now going to get rid of the Sigma, mainly as i cant see me using it much through out the summer.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

What will you do when winter comes?? =) Yeah the 50mm 1.8 is great for outside, but inside I want to chuck it against the wall. With a small apeture like that its main use is for low lighting, at least in my case.

[dave_bass5]

I have a cann 28-105 USM MKII which seems good enough seeing as i always use a flash in doors.
The reason i got the Sigma was because the 50mm was to long indoors but the 28-105 can cover that plus i still have the 50mm
Im going to get a Sigma 70-300 APO thingy instead.

[PhilipJohnBasile]

i'm in a similar setup I have the 28-135mm lens, which is a great walkaround lens btw but it only has a 3.5/f and thats not too hot for low light indoors unless you want to lug out the speedlight.