Looking for a fast normal lens for a crop camera..

Hi , i am looking for a fast normal lens for m t2i. I have 2 obvious choices, sigma 30 f1.4 and canon 28 f1.8. I cannot afford anything costlier. Which will be a better choice. Is sigma's AF very unreliable as i read somewhere. In india , the canon 28 is 30% costlier than the sigma.

How's the return policy of the place you'd purchase the Sigma from? Where's the nearest Sigma service center? There are enough AF issues reported that I'd want some feeling of security with the Sigma. But it's also a very highly regarded lens.

FWIW, I have tried 3 copies of the sigma 30mm and none have had focus problems.

Both are good lenses, the 28 has the advantage that you can keep it if you go FF. But the 30 is a bit sharper, a bit faster, and is as you say, 30% cheaper.

I'd also consider Sigma 35

I find in the studio that at modest working distances for people, with a zoom lens, I really tend to use the 35mm focal length with a 7D, which has the same FoVCF as your T2i. This view is "full body" and it does tend toward "normal," without distorting features, like the face. Arithmetically, the lens Fl is 56mm.

Hence, I would find 28mm and 30mm a tiny bit too wide, and without care to place negative space around the model, one might unconsciously get too close to the model, which would result in distorted features in the view.

So, I'm wondering if the Canon 35mm f/2 is an option for you drmahuks? It is relatively inexpensive.

Thanks for the opinions. In india 35 f2 costs 24K ie around 430$, sigma 30 costs 28K ie 500$ and canon 28 cost 38K ie 690$. Can you believe this. I should have gone nikon way, where nikor 35 f1.8 cost 14K ie 250$ only.
I thought of 35f2 but 5 blade diaphagm worrying me.

If cost is an issue, then there's always the 50mm f1.8. Not as wide but better for portrait and a lot cheaper.

I've had the 30 1.4, and loved it.
A wonderful sharp lens, the 1.4 was a revelation in low light.

As I was so focal about my joy of this lens at work, three colleagues bought one too.
All four of us did not experience focus issues.

I think Sigma really has (had?) QA issues, but the amount this really happens is exaggerated by forum members.
Yes there are members that claim to have tried 5 copies, which all sucked, and gave up on Sigma. But I do not believe that Sigma ships that amount of bad copies. If that were true Sigma would have gone belly up a long time ago.

I've tried using 28/1.8 as a normal lens. It's not a good lens wide open and the contrast is low.

I'd go for sigma having never tried it. Full frame will take care of itself later. You might never feel the urge.

30mm and below does not looks normal at all to me,(remember focal length does not change with a cropped sensor)

I would seriously start doubting about my body calibration...

I am also thinking about sigma. I don't think I will ever need to go ff .

Are you sure you want a prime, you could replace your 18-55 with a tamron 17-50 to give you f2.8 across the range

Earwax69 wrote in post #15538660
If cost is an issue, then there's always the 50mm f1.8. Not as wide but better for portrait and a lot cheaper.

I have used nifty but missed the wide fl often, coz more of indoor shots.

pdrober2 wrote in post #15538974
Are you sure you want a prime, you could replace your 18-55 with a tamron 17-50 to give you f2.8 across the range

I have used tam 28-75, and looking for a 17-50 used. I need a faster one too as 2.8 wasn't fast enough for my daughter for indoor shots.