Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM or Sigma 30mm f1.4 EX DC HSM

The pluses for the Canon (for me, anyway) are that it's a Canon lens, that's important to me and that I'm more likely to get a good copy. Everyone seems to love the Sigma, but it's a Sigma, not a Canon. If anyone has had both, which one would you get, or which one did you keep?

If you're planning on ever upgrading to a full frame body the Canon will work the Sigma is digital only.

check this out:

http://www.focalplane.​net/canon28sigma30/

JPM Photography wrote in post #11307246
check this out:

http://www.focalplane.​net/canon28sigma30/

Thanks for that. They seem to be very close as far as IQ goes. The 1.4 isn't as important to me as the Canon name. It's such a tough decision. Anyone here own both?

I do not own both, but just went through the same buying decision you are going through now. I decided on the Canon for two reasons: (1) concerns about auto focus accuracy with the Sigma, and (2) full frame compatibility.

While I do not have a FF body now, since both lenses were so close otherwise, this became a factor in the decision.

If you do not need f/1.4 and like Canon, should not the choice be 28/1.8 vs 35/2?

I do not own both, but researched them both before I bought, and ended up with the Canon. It was sharp enough for me at 1.8, and on a prime this wide I did not figure to need 1.4 - I have not yet. Yes, there is a little CA, and softness, but nothing a little PP won't help. Here is a shot at f1.8 I took just now. Some NR, CA correction on DPP - no sharpening or contrast:

gasrocks wrote in post #11307459
If you do not need f/1.4 and like Canon, should not the choice be 28/1.8 vs 35/2?

Everyone says that the Sigma is such a great lens, that's why I was considering it. The 35 f2 was an option, but I hear bad things about the auto focus and noise. Also, 28 is more to my liking than 35 as far as what kind of pictures I want to take with it. Indoors in low light, like parties and get-togethers.

Scott M wrote in post #11307426
I do not own both, but just went through the same buying decision you are going through now. I decided on the Canon for two reasons: (1) concerns about auto focus accuracy with the Sigma, and (2) full frame compatibility.

While I do not have a FF body now, since both lenses were so close otherwise, this became a factor in the decision.

How does the 28 f1.8 compare you your 17-55, IQ wise?

The Sigma 30mm is one of the best lenses I have owned, even though I needed to micro-adjust it some. I owned the 35 f/2 and it is in a different league. Sharp, very nice color rendition, great bokeh, and excellent build.

jb1911 wrote in post #11307901
How does the 28 f1.8 compare you your 17-55, IQ wise?

I'll let you know once I get to use it. The UPS driver should be dropping it off today.

I have not owned a Sigma lens, but I was very happy with my 28mm 1.8 when I had it. The only reason I gave it up was to get a 35mm 1.4. The 28mm 1.8 is a great lens I think you would be happy with it if you decide to get it.

It's a good feeling knowing that you will lock focus every time and get sharp images. In
My experience with both lenses is i get more keepers with the canon. The sigma is an amazing lens, with amazing bokeh, great build quality, and suberb sharpness (close to 35L) buy what is the point of all that if you get 1/6 keepers.

Maybe others have had better luck, but I had mine micro adjusted and at minimum focus distance it was a toss up if it would be in focus. Yes, could be user error, but for the amount I shot with it, I couldn't handle not knowing if i was fosucing on what I wanted.

I had the sigma on a nikon body. The D300 actually, so I know it wasn't because of my camera not focusing properly. That thing was a dream to shoot with. I sold the sigma for the nikon 35mm 1.8. I never looked back. Going from 1.4 - 1.8 was sad at first, but the keeper Tate went way up for me.

With that being said, i would say skip the possible trouble and go with the lens you know will be great. The 28 is soooooo underrated. It's a great little lens. I am using the canon 28 on a FF yes, but I have used it on a crop, and i was very happy with it.

I love the Sigma 30. I use it a LOT. It has really delivered the goods for me and it's one of my favourite lenses I've ever owned.

I have a Sigma 30mm and I love it. The Bokeh is absolutely fantastic on it, and even wide open it's impressively sharp (for some reason this is one of those lenses that the image always looks terrible when I look at it on my camera but opened up on my computer at 100% the detail is gorgeous).

As for autofocus, I will say that I will ONLY recommend this lens to those who have Micro Adjust on their bodies. The f1.4 results in a very thin DOF and Sigma lenses are known for front focusing, so without MA to fix it will never focus properly in AF - however, once correct with MA, the focus is spot in all except the dimmest lighting conditions, where almost all lenses will trip up a bit.

The 30mm 1.4 was the second lens I ever purchased (I started out with a T2i and a Canon 17-85 IS USM). I liked the lens on my T2i, but unless it was stopped down, only my manually focused shots were impressive. However, once I upgraded to my 7D this is easily my favorite lens, since I was able to correct the focus issue with MA.

Now, to Sigma's credit, the lens has an impressive 4 year warranty and they are very good about adjusting the lens if it is out of spec. When I asked them about it, they asked me to send in my body with the lens and they would adjust the lens specifically to my body to ensure it focused spot on. However, I ended up upgrading to the 7D before I had a chance to send it in.