Sigma 30mm f/1.4 outdoor question

Guys
Im an Ex Sigma owner (i wont go in to that here, some of you will know why) but im thinking about getting another now that i have a 30D.
I would like to here owners thoughts on how well this lens performs outside at smaller apatures like f/4 and beyond.
I want to use it as a general walkabout lens in certain situations and to replace my Canon 35mm f/2.0 to get more speed indoors at gigs. I konw it will be better indors than the Canon but outdoors the Canon is quite good and better than my old sigma.

Also as a seperate question. if im shooting at f/2.2, ISO 1600 and getting 1/40 shutter speed what can i expect at f/1.4, all other things being the same?
Im just interested in how much faster the shutter will be.

Thanks for any replies

In answer to your second question...

f1.4 is 1 and 1/3 stops wider than f2.2. Therefore; your shutter speed (using the same settings) would be (approx) 1/100.

crookesm wrote in post #2130727
In answer to your second question...

f1.4 is 1 and 1/3 stops wider than f2.2. Therefore; your shutter speed (using the same settings) would be (approx) 1/100.

Thanks very much

I use the Sigma 30mm f1.4 with a 20D and get some very good results - it's a fine lens for gig photography - I haven't used it much outdoors though.

Richard
Thanks for the reply.
Im also considering the 50mm f/1.4. i see you have it.
Which out of the two would consider the fastest? by that i mean would you use both wide open or stop the 50mm down a bit? im happy to stop the Sigma down but i have read threads where people are saying the 50mm isnt great untill stopped down.
The gigs will only be small places, maybe 300 people and mainly Weddings and fuctions.
It would be my Bands that i want shots of (ill give to camera to some one else to take).
But really im more intrested in the Sigma's outdoor performance as this was its let down last time i owned one and so didnt get to use it much outside.

It only goes up to f.... ah, let me mount it... it's not as "slow" as most lenses on the ap.

It's f/16 smallest opening. If you think you need to slow it down for outdoors, say bright and want a running waterfall, you might want to get a ND filter or CP.

I've done general outdoor shooting, and it works great at that ap!

Dave you know where I stand
Also, there's times where I couldn't shoot the 30 wide open on a sunny day as it's beyond the shutter speed capability of out 30D
Here's one at f8
There's a lot of loss on it though. Let me know if you'd like me to link the original.

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Mr Clean.
Yes i know you love the Sigma. i did too untill the focus issue appeared.
I would like to see a larger version if you dont mind. something at f/8 is fine.
Im really just toying with the idea of getting a Sigma again, its that or a 50mm f/1.4.
As i still have my "trusted" Canon 35mm f/2.0 im finding it hard to justify the Sigma but i do need a fast lens for this time of the year and i know i have 100's of good indoor shots with my old Sigma.
Thanks again

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2138876
Dave you know where I stand
Also, there's times where I couldn't shoot the 30 wide open on a sunny day as it's beyond the shutter speed capability of out 30D
Here's one at f8
There's a lot of loss on it though. Let me know if you'd like me to link the original.

cant this be easily resolved with an ND filter?
i havent advanced to all the different types of filters yet, but im starting to read up on them now. in theory, the ND filter should do the trick and let you take shots wide open on sunny days?

dave_bass5 wrote in post #2140181
Mr Clean.
Yes i know you love the Sigma. i did too untill the focus issue appeared.
I would like to see a larger version if you dont mind. something at f/8 is fine.
Im really just toying with the idea of getting a Sigma again, its that or a 50mm f/1.4.
As i still have my "trusted" Canon 35mm f/2.0 im finding it hard to justify the Sigma but i do need a fast lens for this time of the year and i know i have 100's of good indoor shots with my old Sigma.
Thanks again

Well, there you have to decide if that extra stop is worth the extra money. Usually it's not, but we all seem to talk ourselves into it. Same goes for me in my 70-200 purchase. The f4 would have been fine, just double the ISO...But that's not what I bought.
Resized:http://home.comcast.ne​t/~mdmortenson3/IMG_06​42.jpg

unix04 wrote in post #2140205
cant this be easily resolved with an ND filter?
i havent advanced to all the different types of filters yet, but im starting to read up on them now. in theory, the ND filter should do the trick and let you take shots wide open on sunny days?

Of course it can! If you have one

Mr clean
Thanks for the larger image. i can see its nice and sharp.
Like you say i need to decide if a new lens is worth it. and if it isnt then ill convince my self that i should get it anyway
Im just deciding on what FLill get as the Sigma and 50mm f/1.4 are around the same price.
Outside i would just use it as a general walkabout lens. not wide open but of course in low light outside i guess the larger apature would be usefull. in the UK now its getting dark quicker and so there isnt much light after work so a fast lens would be good

No prob. Well, if it's between the 50 and the 30, why not get the 50 since you already have the 35? In my personal experience, 50 is a tad long for a walkaround but you might feel differently. Maybe try taking your Tamron out for a walk and just leave it at 50, see how that grabs ya.

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2140990
Maybe try taking your Tamron out for a walk and just leave it at 50, see how that grabs ya.

yes i was thinking of doing that. ill be away all weekend and will take my 24-105L with me and try and keep within 30mm-50mm.
Im also thinking now of getting the 50mm f/1.8II again as its much cheaper and i dont mind then if i dont use it much. my old one was as sharp (or sharper) as my 35mm f/2.0 with just a bit more reach.
But f/1.4 would be nice

1.4 would be nice. I actually just sold my 50mm. I never used it anymore since the 30mm and the 85mm, er, and the 24-70. I did ask for the 50 1.4 from Santa though, just because of the 1.4

Mr. Clean wrote in post #2141516
1.4 would be nice. I actually just sold my 50mm. I never used it anymore since the 30mm and the 85mm, er, and the 24-70. I did ask for the 50 1.4 from Santa though, just because of the 1.4

how is the 24-70? do you end up using the 85mm less because of it? i have the 85mm, and was considering adding a decent walkaround.

i was initially considering getting the 17-40 L + 50mm 1.8 combo (~$600 after rebates) OR convincing myself i dont need wide angle and getting either the sigma 24-40/tamron 28-75.

the former would complement my 85mm well. the latter wouldn't necessarily be bad either, and a constant 2.8 across a good focal length is definitely a plus. but i have a feeling in case of the latter, i may not pick up the 85mm so often.