Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM?

I currently have the 50mm 1.8 for taking indoor shots of my kids. I love fast primes for the price/performance ratio and low light ability. Sometimes I just can't get far enough back indoors being on a crop and all, and on top of that the 50mm 1.8 hunts like hell in low light.

I'm thinking about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM as I'm on a budget. How much better is this lens than the 50mm 1.8, in terms of image quality/resolution, low-light/faster/accurate focusing? Is barrel distortion acceptable for portraits, or will my wife complain that it makes her nose look big? Are there any better options in the sub-$500 range?

I doubt you'll notice much distortion if any, because you are shooting on a 1.6x crop camera.

There is virtually no distortion at 30mm, so that should not be a worry at all. As for comparing it with the 50 1.8, there is nothing to really compare. I had trouble choosing the Sigma over the 35L, so I would say that the Sigma is worlds better than the 50 for contrast, focus, and color reproduction.

The Sigma is an amazing little lens.
I used to have the 50 1.8, and the Sigma is steps ahead of it... I also consider it to be better than the Canon 50 1.4

RacingThoughts wrote in post #8312705
Is barrel distortion acceptable for portraits, or will my wife complain that it makes her nose look big?

It's actually perspective distortion that would make her nose big, but shooting a portait at 30mm on a crop body, you won't have that problem.

Take a few "nose shots" with your kit lens @ 30mm to get a "feel" for what a 30mm prime will do for you (and your wife's nose )

That said, I don't think there is anything better for a "normal" crop prime. MAYBE the Pentax 31mm f/1.8 Limited but of course that doesn't mount on a Canon body. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is a spectacular lens.

Thanks for the responses. Looks like a winner.

Does this lens work on a 1D?

jbergdoll wrote in post #8313073
Does this lens work on a 1D?

Yes, but it vignettes heavily, due to the reduced image circle for APS-C.

Kind regards, Wim

Actually it's semi-usable with the 1D, if you stop it down too much the vignetting becomes crazy.