Buying a Sigma 30mm F1.4 on Craigslist a bad idea?

I've heard of some of the focusing issues that can happen with this lens if it is not properly calibrated. I see a couple of them on craigslist in my area for ~$350. I don't to jump and buy them if I am going to have to pay more to get it calibrated once / if I buy it.

Also if any of you fine people want to try to convince me to get the canon 28mm F1.8 instead, by all means go ahead. I have been between the two of these and ended up at the sigma.

wait for a month - I can offload my sigma 30mm at same price, once I get my sigma 35 mm delivered from Amazon next month (not from 47th street photo but direct from Amazon) - mine does not have focus issues on my t3i and 5dm3 (yes with major vignetting)

on a serious note yes you will love the Sigma 30 1.4 and it does help at low light even with 2/3rd of a stop helps.

Take your camera and laptop with you and try before you buy.

Is there any difinitive test or way I can look to see if there is an issue? I'm concerned that if there were an issue I would miss it unless I knew what to look for.

runninmann wrote in post #15403560
Take your camera and laptop with you and try before you buy.

Good advice. Ask the vendor to take a bunch of test shots and send them to you.

I have this lens (bought used) and love it. Best of the three Sig's I own.

Buy from Amazon, B&H or Adorama or another place with a good return policy.
I have the Canon 35F2 and wouldn't trade it for any other lens on a crop. If you are thinking of the Canon 28 f1.8 - it could be a good or bad bet depending on your needs. I would rather get that lens than the Sigma, but that is just me. Take a look at what Lensrentals says about the Sigma - and it has to do with AF in low light.

runninmann wrote in post #15403560
Take your camera and laptop with you and try before you buy.

I dont even like taking my nice car to meet people from CL let alone my camera and laptop.. just me though lol

The craigslist thing isn't a definite. There are some people that are selling them on here as well. I just am nervous about looking for the good deal and then ending up having to spend just as much money getting it calibrated haha. Although I know thats the risk that you take buying used.

shiftonephoto wrote in post #15403591
I dont even like taking my nice car to meet people from CL let alone my camera and laptop.. just me though lol

I understand; but a lot depends on where you meet; and who and what you take with you.

shiftonephoto wrote in post #15403591
I dont even like taking my nice car to meet people from CL let alone my camera and laptop.. just me though lol

Man, where you live. Meet at some local star bucks and check out the lens. I bought mine from a POTN member who was local. Didn't have laptop with me so took some shots, drove home, liked them so much, drove back fast to him and gave him the money. One of my best purchases. I will buy this lens where I can test before paying over buying from a vendor where you have to return.

I bought lenses from ebay before and took a risk. So far all is good!
However with the Sigma 30 I read way too many front/back focusing issues and did not want to take a chance. Plus I am in Canada so I got a 10 year warranty for buying new.
Cost me $475 but it was worth it.. I did have a slight front focus and I sent it in to calibrate for free. I find the lens amazing now!!

Also the focusing issues are based on camera body and tolerance and a bit of luck.. So even if the seller says it works great on his it might still have a problem on yours.
So.. my opinion for Sigma is buy them new.. its worth the extra $100 for warranty, calibration and peace of mind !

Lexar wrote in post #15403869
I bought lenses from ebay before and took a risk. So far all is good!
However with the Sigma 30 I read way too many front/back focusing issues and did not want to take a chance. Plus I am in Canada so I got a 10 year warranty for buying new.
Cost me $475 but it was worth it.. I did have a slight front focus and I sent it in to calibrate for free. I find the lens amazing now!!

Also the focusing issues are based on camera body and tolerance and a bit of luck.. So even if the seller says it works great on his it might still have a problem on yours.
So.. my opinion for Sigma is buy them new.. its worth the extra $100 for warranty, calibration and peace of mind !

I might end up doing that. I decided to put my Tamron 18-270 PZD up for sale. If that goes, I may just pay the extra and buy new to be extra certain.

Lexar wrote in post #15403869
... So.. my opinion for Sigma is buy them new.. its worth the extra $100 for warranty, calibration and peace of mind !

I have always done that, no regrets!

It's funny isn't it. Both the Sigs I bought new have had focus issues but nothing the MFA on the 7D couldn't sort out. The 30 was bought used, albeit from a member here and is good straight off the bat.

If you don't have MFA on your body I guess it's a risk.

All I know is that it's one of the best lenses I've ever owned in 32 years of taking pictures.

runninmann wrote in post #15403560
Take your camera and laptop with you and try before you buy.

Do this.

Spuddyd wrote in post #15403567
Ask the vendor to take a bunch of test shots and send them to you.

This would be meaningless. The body and lens need to form a properly calibrated pair. Manufacturing tolerances could allow the lens to work perfectly on one body and front or back focus on another. This is true if it is a Canon lens, Sigma, or any other third party lens.