Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX... Price? Tests? Dates?

[DocFrankenstein]

Is there any info on this lens at all?
When will it be available?
Any test shots? :confused:

[Bodog]

Think it's too new Doc... :cry:

[Tom W]

I predict only one thing - this will be a very popular lens, even though Canon has a 28/1.8 USM available as well.

[DocFrankenstein]

Then guess! :lol:

[pcasciola]

Ok. My guess is it will be available in 4 months, since most every other digital-only lens I've seen announced from Tokina and Tamron in the past 4 months are still not for sale. Price, $599.

[Tom W]

My guess, it will be available in 3 months. $450.

[DocFrankenstein]

450? 600? :confused:

Why not 300... like 50/1.4?

For 500 bucks... this better be one hell of a prime! :evil:

[pcasciola]

Yeah, that's a good point. They couldn't price this thing much higher than the 50/1.4. Ok, $300 it is :)

[Tom W]

Well, it is HSM - that puts it up a bit from the 20/24/28/1.8.
Which reminds me - it has to have something on the 28/1.8 Sigma or Canon, or it won't sell.

[DocFrankenstein]

Well, it is HSM - that puts it up a bit from the 20/24/28/1.8.
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/largeimages/102851.jpg

[Tom W]

Ummm - Sigma makes the 20-24-28 f/1.8 trio of primes, and they have a pretty good image reputation, even though the focus mechanism is quirky on the three.

The Canon you picture there is $380 imported, and $400 with the US warranty. The Sigma, being f/1.4 and HSM will be just above that.

[pcasciola]

It's 2/3 of a stop faster, so it's already got a one up on Sigma or Canon's 28/1.8. Let's just hope it's usable at f/1.4. I've also heard several people say that Canon's 28/1.8 is very soft wide open.

[Tom W]

It's 2/3 of a stop faster, so it's already got a one up on Sigma or Canon's 28/1.8. Let's just hope it's usable at f/1.4. I've also heard several people say that Canon's 28/1.8 is very soft wide open.

It's got 1 up on the Sigma 28/1.8 just for the focus mechanism, plus 2/3 extra for the aperture. I'll only give it 2/3 of a step above the Canon until I see some good tests.

I wasn't going to say anything, but I've heard some negative talk about the Canon 28/1.8 from many. Yet, I've also heard several that like it. Perhaps it has corner issues (and it is a full-frame lens, so the corners wouldn't be a problem for most digital users), or maybe it just needs to be stopped down to f/2.2 or so. The 50/1.4 is a bit soft wide open as well, but it is still highly useable at that aperture. I may snag one just to see how it performs.

The Sigma 20/1.8 has been praised as a great lens, but I didn't think it was great wide open when I tested it. And yet, it produced some great pictures for me in normal use on my 10D. Not so great on the 1D2 though.

[CyberDyneSystems]

It'll be no more than $400.00

[Olegis]

My take is - 4-5 month at $300-350.