Sigma 28mm f1.8 Experiences?

Hey all, I'm thinking about a fast wide to a normal prime. I had the fifty, but on a cropped sensor, it was either too long or not long enough. So I was thinking about the Sigma 30mm f1.4 and trying a buddies lens, it's still a touch longer than what I'd like.

So I was looking at something wider and ran across the Sigma 28mm f1.8. Basically, I'm looking for a sleeper lens that is relatively cheap but fast and sharp. I considered the 20mm and the 24mm primes from Sigma as well, but I want my occassional lens to be as cheap as possible. It looks like this lens is selling for $240, so the price, although not quite $80 of the Canon 50mm f1.8, is about right.

Any thought from owners, especially in comparison to other similar lenses?

For about a hundred bucks more you could get a used 50mm f1.4 lens.

The 28 is probably older, it might be ok, it might not be. I'd go probably with the newer 30mm lens but that is just me.

I find the 50mm too long for my taste, so that's why I'm looking for a under 30mm lens.

I realize that this may not be a popular lens but I would think someone here actually has one, no?
Checked Fred Marenda and PBase already and would like some owners/users comments seeing as I can't seem to find any reviews online.

I have one!

Have not really used it much to be honest. It sits in my bag for the occasion to arise! But I tested it when I got it against my 24-70 and its as good if not better.

Having said that I hanker after the 30 1.4

Tee Why wrote in post #2083582
Any thought from owners, especially in comparison to other similar lenses?

Tom, unless you need a FF compatible lens, I don't see how the 28f1.8 can even compare with the 30f1.4. I've used both (quite a lot), and there is no comparison optically or in handling, let alone ring HSM/FTM with the DC lens. The 28f1.8 is a good lens optically, but its design is clunky and it has the 2-step AF/MF procedure. I suppose if you could find it for $200 or so it is a good buy, but if at all possible, spring for the 30EX.

Following Lightrules (sorry can't help thinking of you as fstop still!) I would caveat my comments above that I got mine for an absolute steal on ebay! And he is right about the AF/MF - but I;m used to it on my 24-70 so it doesn't bother me. I actually like the chunky nature of it and, for non-HSM, the focussing is pretty good. Doubt you would be shooting much action with it!

I've got the Canon 28mm f/1.8 and love it

Hey Tee Why,

This is almost like the post I just made:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=224360

What type of work are you doing when you say that you found the 50mm to be too long?

Jojo,
I'm interested in what you think about the optics of the lens. I just tried the 30m f1.4 right now at home, while it's a nice lens, I'd like something a touch wider. Seeing as I'm using the Tamron 17-50mm for walking around, I'm interested in something wide and fast for a couple of night time events where it will be very dark (halloween dark).
Being a Tokina owner and a Tamron owner, I'm not put off by noisy AF motor or that push/pull AF/MF mechanism.

The main reason I'm thinking about getting the 28 over the 30 is b/c I'm cheap.
This will be my occassional dark lens and spending $360 for the 30mm vs $240 for the 28mm pushes me toward the 28. Ideally, I'm looking for a 50mm f1.8 like lens but wider and it seems like the 28mm is the closest thing. I just don't know much about the optics except one test by Popular phtography that thought it was a good lens.

TMR Design wrote in post #2084987
Hey Tee Why,

This is almost like the post I just made:
https://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthre​ad.php?t=224360

What type of work are you doing when you say that you found the 50mm to be too long?

Street scenes and environmental portraits.

Tee Why wrote in post #2085495
Jojo, I'm interested in what you think about the optics of the lens.

Tom, I think the main thing is for you to make sure it's focusing correctly if/when you get it. The copy I tried out tended to front-focus on various camera bodies (1.6x and 1.3x), though it was quite sharp around f2.2 (where it did focus). I'm sure Sigma NY could get it right for you if you did have a F-F issue, but just be aware that this will be your primary concern. The lens does exhibit light fall-off pretty evidently wide open but by f2.8 it's not much an issue. Flare performance is average and the hood helps quite a bit.

Get a good working copy and you should be pleased overall, especially at its price-point. The 20f1.8 is the most popular by far of this Sigma "f1.8-threesome" (20-24-28 ) because it's the most unique and wide, but the 28 can impress so long as its calibrated properly.

Thanks Jojo, basically, I'm looking for a cropped version of the Canon 50mm f1.8.
Something prime, fast, optically good, and cheap (since I use it occassionally). I'm shooting the LA Day of the Dead, which is gonna be really dark and the West Hollywood Halloween Carnaval, which will also be dark (though I may use flash) so wanted a fast lens for that. But spending $360 seems to much for such needs as I've already the Tamron 17-50 f2.8. Ideally, I'd go for the 24mm as it's a bit wider and to my tastes, but once again, I'm weighting the "how often do I use this/optics/cost/build quality" calculations in my head and think the cheapest decent optics for an occassional lens is the way to go. Seeing as I've already a big collection of lenses, I'm trying not to go crazy again.
Thanks for the input, I guess I"ll order it from 47th St as it's $239 shipped from there.

If anyone is interested, here is the link for the day of the dead event.
Some of the shots, more like snapshot, from last year on their gallery page is mine.
http://ladayofthedead.​com/

And here is my gallery of snapshots from the west hollywood halloween carnaval. This year, I plan to take better photographs than last year.
http://tomyi.smugmug.c​om/gallery/930894

LA Shooters should be there for both events. Let me know or join in if anyone is interested.

Well, I ordered it from 47the ST. photo. Funny on pricegrabber, they don't have shipping charges but when you order, they include a $8.88 shipping fee. Still it's the cheapest reputable US lens you can buy (simga4less sells import with only one year international warranty).

Thanks all. I'll post some shots when I get it.