Sigma 30mm or Canon 35mm?

I'm digging into the next lens I want to add - recently I was shooting a show, literally from the side of the stage - variable lighting conditions, so my 50mm f1.8 was a much better bet for me than the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 - but I wasn't really happy with the focussing speed on either in the low light - the 85mm f1.8 would have done better I feel, but I didn't have the space for it.

Considering the 50mm was still a touch tight for this venue - I'm considering getting a 30 / 35mm or something a bit wider for my 7d.

Can anyone recommend a quick focussing, wide aperture prime that won't stretch the bank? Not adverse to buying used - but definitely don't have the budget for the 35mm L, as much as I would love to!

I'd have the Siggy 30 1.4 everytime.

Just had the same dilemma and ended up with the Sigma 30mm. A bit pricier than the Canon 35mm, but being both faster and having HSM focus sold me on it. Plus mine is really sharp and didn't need any MA. It's a truly nice prime and much more comfortable in confined places than the 50mm.

Those are the two I'm looking into, but I wasn't sure if I was missing something beyond them ... I admit, the f1.4 sounds more attractive than f2 ...

I own the Sigma 30 and I love it. IQ is awesome. AF is slower than my Canon lenses(all USM which the 35 f2 is not) but still quite quick on all but low contrast subject in very low light. This may not be terribly helpful since I have very little experience with other lenses in the same category. Hopefully someone will have used both.

SIgma 30 1.4 is on one of my bodies 95% of the time since the time I got it a year and a half ago. You will find lots of fans of the Sig 30 here, but I have to say I have seen some great shots produced with the Canon 35 f/2. But the HSM of the Sig 30 is very nice (quiet, quick, accurate) and its another stop faster...

Is the Canon f2 a similar focus to the 50mm f1.8 or USM like the 85mm f1.8 ?

So far, looks like the Sigma is the way to go - now to convince the wife / boss that I need to spend some money!

pcj wrote in post #11721654
Is the Canon f2 a similar focus to the 50mm f1.8 or USM like the 85mm f1.8 ?

So far, looks like the Sigma is the way to go - now to convince the wife / boss that I need to spend some money!

It is somewhere between the two. Its the same tech as the 50 but will outperform it. The 85 will smoke either of the two.

If your choices are the Sigma 30 and the Canon 35f2 get the Sigma. No contest.
If you through the 28 1.8 then the decision becomes harder. I chose the Sigma. Excellent lens.

Sig. The 35mm is best for full-frame owners who want 35mm but can't afford/don't need the 35L. I do like the 28mm 1.8 but the 30mm is your best bet.

Sigma 30mm, without a doubt.

Ditto on the sigma 30 1.4.

Sig 30

pcj wrote in post #11721654
Is the Canon f2 a similar focus to the 50mm f1.8 or USM like the 85mm f1.8 ?

So far, looks like the Sigma is the way to go - now to convince the wife / boss that I need to spend some money!

Closer to the 50/1.8. The Canon 85/1.8 is an exceptionally fast focusing lens and unless you move into L territory you aren't like to find something as fast focusing.

And on a crop I'd go with the Sigma 30/1.4 as I preferred it's sharpness, bokeh, contrast and color rendering at wide or near wide open.

Compare the 30EX to the 35L, not the 35 f2 please...Not for the faint of heart ...

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