Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM

starkyrulz wrote in post #13310304
hi Guys

I just received this lens yesterday from Amazon. After concluding some focus tests just realized that the lens is front focussign by quite a bit - snap included. Should i sent this for AF adjustment to Sigma (along with body i.e. a Canon T3i which focuses perfectly on 50mm f1.4, f18-200). And say I do send the camera across - will the adjustment be done on the lens or the camera as well. I am a bit worried because I am still a noob compared to the folks on this forum.

Any advice is appreciated.

First off, I can see a whole lot of things wrong with that "test" setup. I'd say go and shoot something that isn't a chart, like maybe something you'd normally use the lens for. Then if you see any issues, send the lens in to sigma with a description of the issue and if you can, example photos of the problem.

Oh, and welcome to POTN

Just got my siggy 30mm for the second time today. For those not "in the know" with my trials and tribulations...I bought a 35L and a siggy 30...tried both...35L won out by a little bit for low light focusing ability.

Then I was "talked into" trading to a 24L II because I wanted a wider focal length fast lens. This is where it all goes down hill. To make things short 6 trips to Canon later I ended up convincing Canon to give me a 70-300L because I didn't want to see another 24L II in my hands.

So I was still without a fast prime lens...rebought the siggy($50 more expensive) and tested it briefly...-5MFA and it appears pretty darn perfect. So much better than the 24L II(yes I just said that). Love the small size too...I can fit my camera sideways in my 7 million dollar home as opposed to "lens down".

Probably a hair softer at F1.4...just as sharp by F2.0 than the 24L and 35L. Not as fast of low light focusing but its so much cheaper.

btw my other siggy 30mm was fine after MFA as well...so I've had good luck I guess. Looking forward to sharing pictures here!

Lesson of the day - Do not get the 24L II(at least on a 7D)...get the siggy 30 or Canon 35L instead!.

Sirrith wrote in post #13310999
First off, I can see a whole lot of things wrong with that "test" setup. I'd say go and shoot something that isn't a chart, like maybe something you'd normally use the lens for. Then if you see any issues, send the lens in to sigma with a description of the issue and if you can, example photos of the problem.

Oh, and welcome to POTN

Thanks.

I love this forum - have been soaking in all the information for the last 1 week - learnt a lot and even my composition has improved a ton (as per my friends who are extremely good with their stuff).

ideally i do not see too many problems with the lens - but probably after a weekends testing outside I can come to any conclusion. But yes at f1.4 the focus is front biased for the "test setup". (maybe I am carried away with so much stuff written on the Sigma). I will actively follow this thread.

Glueeater wrote in post #13164580
Some new shots!

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …crzyazninvazn/6​181564276/
923-1 by carlo cruz [mstrcrz], on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …crzyazninvazn/6​181571012/
923-32 by carlo cruz [mstrcrz], on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …crzyazninvazn/6​181041889/
923-12 by carlo cruz [mstrcrz], on Flickr

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …crzyazninvazn/6​181044871/
923-26 by carlo cruz [mstrcrz], on Flickr

Would you mind providing some insight into how you achieve the soft creamy vintage look in the last 3 photos? I would imagine the lens has something to do with it, however i'm still learning and cant quite get it down PP via LR.

Thank you!

krisnr wrote in post #13308347
Hi Guys!
Just thinking about getting one of those. Only thing which holds me is question about sharpness in corners - is it really so bad as it is shown in some tests? And what about sharpness in center - is it as great as they writing?
Considering also 17-50 2,5 OS HSM. Which one (despite obvious differences) will perform better in terms of resolution and sharpness?

thanx in advance!

p.s. what about AF? is it precise in low light conditions? also does it has FTM?

As someone else said, my corners are usually bokeh so it's hard to say for sure. In the few landscape shots I've done though I haven't really noticed anything off. In the center it's as sharp as it gets. This is one of my favorite lenses. If you are looking for a fast, sharp prime the only way you're going to get any better than this is to spend $1400 on L glass and even then there are some that will tell you the Sigma is still sharper. If you need weather sealing and such then I'm sure it's worth the extra cash for the L, but if you're just in it for the fun of it, this is a terrific lens.

With that said, you really need to make sure you get a good one. I got 2 bad in a row before I got a good one. If you order it, get it from Adorama. Give a sales rep a call on the phone and tell them that you want a Sigma 30 1.4 and that you would like them to check it for front/back focus before shipping. They are aware of the issues with this lens and the last I heard were planning to have Sigma reps there to talk about the high rate of returns.

Sirrith wrote in post #13310999
First off, I can see a whole lot of things wrong with that "test" setup. I'd say go and shoot something that isn't a chart, like maybe something you'd normally use the lens for. Then if you see any issues, send the lens in to sigma with a description of the issue and if you can, example photos of the problem.

Oh, and welcome to POTN

As part of the welcome package, let me introduce you to one of the most common things you'll see here.......conflicting opinions. Pick any subject and you'll find many differing opinions on it and sometimes heated debate. We've just wandered into that territory.

There are many people who are guilty of "pixel peeping" and they will nitpick a lens for sharpness even if the difference isn't noticeable when viewing the photo as it will be in the real world. Because of these people, there are many such as the poster above who advise that you shouldn't test a lens and should decide on a lens based on the photos you get from it. While this is true somewhat, it's also true that a messed up lens will never give you the results you expect and you may later replace that lens with another simply because you think it needs to be upgraded when in fact it was a flaw in that particular lens. Then later when people ask your opinion of the lens you don't give it a good review.

This lens is one that you will likely use close up and with a 1.4 aperture at about 20 inches you have only about 1/2 inch of depth of field that is sharp. The rest is foreground and background blur. If this thing is off, it will screw up your photos bad. Just hand-holding it is very easy to rock back and forth which can cause your focus to be off. If it is the lens and not you, you will beat yourself up terribly trying to correct a technique that isn't a problem and you may even develop bad techniques while compensating for the flaw in the lens. This lens is well-known to have issues. The only way to know for certain if the problem is you or the lens is through a controlled test.

With that said, I have no idea if your test is "controlled". That focus test has some pretty intricate instructions and I'm not sure you followed them because it looks crooked. Get those instructions out and follow it step by step. Then repeat it a few times and see what you get. If it is wrong you at least can return it now and get a replacement rather than waiting until it is 3-6 months old and having to send it to Sigma to calibrate.

Ok after playing with my lens a little more I'm at -7MFA right now...but I noticed that my lens came with some factory installed dust. There is a 1/8" hair or fiber of some sort and a speck or two of dust. Obviously neither affects the image quality but I am wondering how other people received the lens. If its normal I'll accept it but if not I'll probably exchange it.

Sdiver2489 wrote in post #13312054
Ok after playing with my lens a little more I'm at -7MFA right now...but I noticed that my lens came with some factory installed dust. There is a 1/8" hair or fiber of some sort and a speck or two of dust. Obviously neither affects the image quality but I am wondering how other people received the lens. If its normal I'll accept it but if not I'll probably exchange it.

If a lens was bought new and had dust/fibers in it, I would return it. I'm sure you paid $400 or so dollars. I know in photography that isn't a lot and I am guilty of forgetting the value of the dollar. But in reality that's a bunch of cash. The product should be perfect.

My sister's daughter is toooo awesome.

IMAGE LINK: http://www.flickr.com …crzyazninvazn/6​284871369/

kfreels wrote in post #13311957
As part of the welcome package, let me introduce you to one of the most common things you'll see here.......conflicting opinions. Pick any subject and you'll find many differing opinions on it and sometimes heated debate. We've just wandered into that territory.

There are many people who are guilty of "pixel peeping" and they will nitpick a lens for sharpness even if the difference isn't noticeable when viewing the photo as it will be in the real world. Because of these people, there are many such as the poster above who advise that you shouldn't test a lens and should decide on a lens based on the photos you get from it. While this is true somewhat, it's also true that a messed up lens will never give you the results you expect and you may later replace that lens with another simply because you think it needs to be upgraded when in fact it was a flaw in that particular lens. Then later when people ask your opinion of the lens you don't give it a good review.

This lens is one that you will likely use close up and with a 1.4 aperture at about 20 inches you have only about 1/2 inch of depth of field that is sharp. The rest is foreground and background blur. If this thing is off, it will screw up your photos bad. Just hand-holding it is very easy to rock back and forth which can cause your focus to be off. If it is the lens and not you, you will beat yourself up terribly trying to correct a technique that isn't a problem and you may even develop bad techniques while compensating for the flaw in the lens. This lens is well-known to have issues. The only way to know for certain if the problem is you or the lens is through a controlled test.

With that said, I have no idea if your test is "controlled". That focus test has some pretty intricate instructions and I'm not sure you followed them because it looks crooked. Get those instructions out and follow it step by step. Then repeat it a few times and see what you get. If it is wrong you at least can return it now and get a replacement rather than waiting until it is 3-6 months old and having to send it to Sigma to calibrate.

the problem is the photos are looking great - atleast potraits. In real life judging by the photos, i am really in love with the lens. The focus test has not helped - the same focus test on my other lenses is absolutely spot in. I will wait for a weekend test on this lens - if not replace this with another from Amazon to see if I turn out lucky or calibration it is. The only problem is that my camera will be away for 3-5 days

btw the focus locks on immediately even at low light at f1.4 and i tried shooting at very low light in my apartment - gorgeous photos, handheld without a flash - loved it.

kfreels wrote in post #13311957
While this is true somewhat, it's also true that a messed up lens will never give you the results you expect and you may later replace that lens with another simply because you think it needs to be upgraded when in fact it was a flaw in that particular lens. Then later when people ask your opinion of the lens you don't give it a good review.

I'm sure we've had this conversation before

I agree that a lens that has focus issues will not give you the expected or desired results, and if this is the case, then I also agree! Test!

However, if the lens under normal use is not giving you any indications of being problematic, and you're getting all you expected and more out of it, why test?

guys - thanx for answers.
One more question - does AF problems means problems with sharpness of lens? i.e is it possible or it is a fact that even with FF/BF if I will focus manually I'll get sharp image?
Does this lens has problems only with AF or with so called soapy images too?
What should I check after receiving this lens? Here in Poland it's strongly overpriced so for $600 I would be happy to insure that I'll getting a good one!


thanks!

My Head Hurts

I hope that not because of me

krisnr wrote in post #13313847
guys - thanx for answers.
One more question - does AF problems means problems with sharpness of lens? i.e is it possible or it is a fact that even with FF/BF if I will focus manually I'll get sharp image?
Does this lens has problems only with AF or with so called soapy images too?
What should I check after receiving this lens? Here in Poland it's strongly overpriced so for $600 I would be happy to insure that I'll getting a good one!


thanks!

i would say generally problems with sharpness do come from the lens but they can also arise from your camera body. focusing manually will work but you will probably need anew focusing screen to do this with any accuracy. as for all the other things, i can't really help you haha