Sigma 30MM f1.4 Sharp or Soft?

I just got my first non kit lens and I`m not sure if i got a soft or sharp copy ? front focus/rear focus lens issue...

Any procedure for lens testing if I got a sharp copy or not?

Here are the sample pictures at f 1.4 only (no flash) jpeg only.

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these images (some...) look SLIGHTLY soft to me
bump up ISO and try shooting with higher shutter speed (around 1/250?) just in case and we'll see what happens.

I forgot to tell you guys I tried to keep it at 200 ISO. Should I try full manual? I took these @ AV priority....

I have XSi and ISO 200 is the minimum...

Realizing you didnt buy the lens to shoot at f8.0, 1\100, ISO 400 using an external flash [ETTL] with the camera in manual mode, but just out of curiosity see what you get in IQ & sharpness versus wide open.

Your pics appear soft to me also unless its just my old eyes !

http://www.slrgear.com …ct.php/product/​176/cat/30

Regards,

just light the whole room so you can use higher shutter speed. no need to shoot manual although you may do it if you want to @_@a

AWGD8 wrote in post #9184200
I forgot to tell you guys I tried to keep it at 200 ISO. Should I try full manual? I took these @ AV priority....

I have XSi and ISO 200 is the minimum...

?? ISO100 is the minimum on the XSi but the important point is your shutter speed of 1/20 of a second can result in slight blurring

use flash to test it out, you need to well lite the area before you take a picture to get the sharpest result from the glass

That looks like sunlight coming in the window. Go outside and test it on something in good light.

Also, if your ISO is limited to 200, that means you have highlight tone priority enabled. Turn it off if you want ISO 100. One thing to remember is that it is tricky focusing at f1.4, so don't jump to any conclusions too soon.

watt100 wrote in post #9184239
?? ISO100 is the minimum on the XSi but the important point is your shutter speed of 1/20 of a second can result in slight blurring

There is no option for Xsi to chose ISO100 ... It only shows Auto, 200,400,800, 1600

tkbslc wrote in post #9184310
That looks like sunlight coming in the window. Go outside and test it on something in good light.

Also, if your ISO is limited to 200, that means you have highlight tone priority enabled. Turn it off if you want ISO 100. One thing to remember is that it is tricky focusing at f1.4, so don't jump to any conclusions too soon.

I think you are right....

AWGD8 wrote in post #9184343
There is no option for Xsi to chose ISO100 ... It only shows Auto, 200,400,800, 1600

You are in highlight priority mode I believe. The iso looks like 2oo right?

The option is in your menu screen. Search it here and you will find how to unlock iso 100

Also, with the sigma, you should focus on somebody's face, or another more pleasing subject. Unless you plan on taking pictures of lenses with your new 30mm, I suggest that real life applications will be more beneficial in your determination.

Try getting out of your house and shooting something with a little more contrast and interest.

Why would you do that. You need to learn how to change iso, shutter speed, and f-stop together for maximum flexibility.

AWGD8 wrote in post #9184200
I forgot to tell you guys I tried to keep it at 200 ISO. Should I try full manual? I took these @ AV priority....

I have XSi and ISO 200 is the minimum...

I guess, I`ll give it more time...I know i can tweak the image using diff. iso settings, f stop, shutter speed. I just want to know the max. capability at wide open with the min. iso settings.

So far looks a bit soft to me wide open... (focused at second "COLA" top portion, Focused on YS of LYSOL...)

@ f1.4 (with flash, 1/30s, f1.4, ISO200)

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Looks like a combo of too low shutter speed and too little DOF for the subjects.

f1.4 makes tiny little planes of focus. Here's an example from mine. The one eye is sharp as a tack, but nothing else is in focus. Not even the other eye, or the nose. Also the shutter speed was much higher than 1/30 (I was at 1/1000).

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