Sigma 30mm 1.4

Fergus Anderson · March 3rd, 2010, 04:46 PM

Hi guys

I am considering the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for both video and stills. Any users here? Just wondered what peoples experiences are for video (or stills). I realise at 1.4 it might be a touch soft and really shallow (hard to focus) but Im intersted in what its like at higher apertures like f8 since I dont want all the video to be super shallow.

cheers

Stephen Mick · March 3rd, 2010, 04:56 PM

A friend has one, and I've used it on a 7D on a few occasions. It's a great lens for the price, sharp from f2.0 up to f16 from what I've seen.

Khoi Pham · March 3rd, 2010, 05:22 PM

I like it a lot, it is my go to lens for low light work, check it out here.

Rusty Rogers · March 3rd, 2010, 06:07 PM

Very snappy and bright. Are you using something like the Z-Finder for focus help?

Khoi Pham · March 3rd, 2010, 06:11 PM

Yes I use a Z finder.

Fergus Anderson · March 4th, 2010, 01:53 AM

Thanks guys, good to know.

Love the viedo Khoi.
Sadly I dont think my budget will stretch to a Z-finder

Do you think I will have focussing problems with the camera screen at 1.4?

Khoi Pham · March 4th, 2010, 08:24 AM

You will have problem using the lcd alone focusing on the fly shooting event like me at F1.4, there are other cheaper loop you might want to look at like the lcdvf, or this one on ebay I just saw

Loupe Master 3" LCD Hood Canon 5D Mark II Nikon D300s en venta en eBay.es (finaliza el 11-feb-10 03:16:21 H.Esp)
but neither one of them has diopter adjustment. BTW the Rebel T2i has a sharper lcd than my 7D, it is even easier to focus with it if you have the loop.

Fergus Anderson · March 4th, 2010, 08:27 AM

Thanks Khoi I'll check it out.

Out of interest - is the lack of IS on this lense an issue?

Cheers

Khoi Pham · March 4th, 2010, 08:41 AM

Not if you have steady hand, also when you have a loop and press the loop on your eyes, it help steady it a lot, but most of my shoot I use a DVstick or a shoulder rig should help, but hand held alone I wouldn't use any lens above 30mm for crop camera without IS, unless you want that micro jittery look.

Stan Chase · March 4th, 2010, 12:19 PM

I definitely agree with your last sentence Khoi. I tried using my Canon 50mm 1.8 handheld and it was a disaster. Everything was jittery, the lens' focus ring was a joke, and lots of rolling shutter jello-cam. Sold the 50mm with my T1i, bought a 17-55 2.8 IS USM, and haven't looked back since. The T2i/17-55 is a great combo. I use a Hoodman/HoodEYE loupe.

As far as the Sigma, I just can't bring myself to go with a third party lens. It must be good though..Philip Bloom recommends it.

Ala Shiban · March 6th, 2010, 08:09 AM

Khoi,

What do you think about the Canon 1.8 28mm? It seems to be the same price point as the Sigma 1.4 30mm -

Any remarks?

Khoi Pham · March 6th, 2010, 09:09 AM

Nah it is 2/3 stop slower (big different if you doing low light work) and this lens has a lot of CA, and Sigma gives you 4 years warranthy isntead of 1 year, the Sigma is a better lens and better deal, the only reason you would go with the Canon is if you are planning to step up to full frame camera later on since the Sigma will not work on full frame camera.

Andy Wilkinson · March 6th, 2010, 09:31 AM

That Canon 28mm F1.8 lens gets (generally) very poor reviews on photographic sites. Typical review below - and within it a link to their (good) review of the Sigma 30mm F1.4. The only thing that worries me about the Sigma is whether or not you would get a good copy as their Quality Control is reknown for being very poor. The Canon 24mm F1.4 L is superb - and consequently has a very high price - typically about the same price as a 7D body so it's probably overkill for a T2i/550D!

Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review

Jason McDonald · March 8th, 2010, 01:25 AM

Every Sigma lens I've owned for photography and video have been great. I loved my 30mm 1.4 while I owned it. I moved to full-frame glass and still ended up with some Sigma lenses and have to say they are doing well.

Paul Curtis · March 8th, 2010, 03:44 AM

I've had a sigma 30mm 1.4 for ages, it's the lens i use most, usually always on the camera.

Great lens with a good focal length on a APS-C, i'm happy to use it at 1.4 too.

I've not used it for HD recording (not decided whether to get a 550 or 7D) the manual focus range is about 90 degrees, whereas the Canon 50mm f1.4 has about 180 degrees of travel. Perhaps this would make a difference in deciding?

cheers
paul

March 3rd, 2010, 04:46 PM	#1
Fergus Anderson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 321	Sigma 30mm 1.4 - opinions Hi guys I am considering the Sigma 30mm 1.4 for both video and stills. Any users here? Just wondered what peoples experiences are for video (or stills). I realise at 1.4 it might be a touch soft and really shallow (hard to focus) but Im intersted in what its like at higher apertures like f8 since I dont want all the video to be super shallow. cheers

March 3rd, 2010, 04:56 PM	#2
Stephen Mick Regular Crew Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 167	Great Lens A friend has one, and I've used it on a 7D on a few occasions. It's a great lens for the price, sharp from f2.0 up to f16 from what I've seen.

March 3rd, 2010, 05:22 PM	#3
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	I like it a lot, it is my go to lens for low light work, check it out here. Emerald City on Vimeo __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

March 3rd, 2010, 06:07 PM	#4
Rusty Rogers Regular Crew Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Sacramento, CA Posts: 177	Very snappy and bright. Are you using something like the Z-Finder for focus help? __________________ *Rusty* Rusty Rogers \| Films

March 3rd, 2010, 06:11 PM	#5
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	Yes I use a Z finder. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

March 4th, 2010, 01:53 AM	#6
Fergus Anderson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 321	Thanks guys, good to know. Love the viedo Khoi. Sadly I dont think my budget will stretch to a Z-finder Do you think I will have focussing problems with the camera screen at 1.4?

March 4th, 2010, 08:24 AM	#7
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	You will have problem using the lcd alone focusing on the fly shooting event like me at F1.4, there are other cheaper loop you might want to look at like the lcdvf, or this one on ebay I just saw Loupe Master 3" LCD Hood Canon 5D Mark II Nikon D300s en venta en eBay.es (finaliza el 11-feb-10 03:16:21 H.Esp) but neither one of them has diopter adjustment. BTW the Rebel T2i has a sharper lcd than my 7D, it is even easier to focus with it if you have the loop. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

March 4th, 2010, 08:27 AM	#8
Fergus Anderson Major Player Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: London, UK Posts: 321	Thanks Khoi I'll check it out. Out of interest - is the lack of IS on this lense an issue? Cheers

March 4th, 2010, 08:41 AM	#9
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	Not if you have steady hand, also when you have a loop and press the loop on your eyes, it help steady it a lot, but most of my shoot I use a DVstick or a shoulder rig should help, but hand held alone I wouldn't use any lens above 30mm for crop camera without IS, unless you want that micro jittery look. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

March 4th, 2010, 12:19 PM	#10
Stan Chase Regular Crew Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Florida, USA Posts: 75	I definitely agree with your last sentence Khoi. I tried using my Canon 50mm 1.8 handheld and it was a disaster. Everything was jittery, the lens' focus ring was a joke, and lots of rolling shutter jello-cam. Sold the 50mm with my T1i, bought a 17-55 2.8 IS USM, and haven't looked back since. The T2i/17-55 is a great combo. I use a Hoodman/HoodEYE loupe. As far as the Sigma, I just can't bring myself to go with a third party lens. It must be good though..Philip Bloom recommends it. __________________ [T2i/550D] [17-55 IS USM] [Zoom H2] [HoodLoupe/HoodMAG 3.0]

March 6th, 2010, 08:09 AM	#11
Ala Shiban New Boot Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Israel Posts: 16	Khoi, What do you think about the Canon 1.8 28mm? It seems to be the same price point as the Sigma 1.4 30mm - Any remarks?

March 6th, 2010, 09:09 AM	#12
Khoi Pham Major Player Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Dallas Posts: 747	Nah it is 2/3 stop slower (big different if you doing low light work) and this lens has a lot of CA, and Sigma gives you 4 years warranthy isntead of 1 year, the Sigma is a better lens and better deal, the only reason you would go with the Canon is if you are planning to step up to full frame camera later on since the Sigma will not work on full frame camera. __________________ Khoi Pham www.proeditproductions.com

March 6th, 2010, 09:31 AM	#13
Andy Wilkinson Inner Circle Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Cambridge UK Posts: 2,853	That Canon 28mm F1.8 lens gets (generally) very poor reviews on photographic sites. Typical review below - and within it a link to their (good) review of the Sigma 30mm F1.4. The only thing that worries me about the Sigma is whether or not you would get a good copy as their Quality Control is reknown for being very poor. The Canon 24mm F1.4 L is superb - and consequently has a very high price - typically about the same price as a 7D body so it's probably overkill for a T2i/550D! Canon EF 28mm f/1.8 USM Lens Review __________________ Andy K Wilkinson - https://www.shootingimage.co.uk Cambridge (UK) Corporate Video Production

March 8th, 2010, 01:25 AM	#14
Jason McDonald Major Player Join Date: Jul 2009 Location: Japan Posts: 295	Every Sigma lens I've owned for photography and video have been great. I loved my 30mm 1.4 while I owned it. I moved to full-frame glass and still ended up with some Sigma lenses and have to say they are doing well.

March 8th, 2010, 03:44 AM	#15
Paul Curtis Major Player Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: canterbury Posts: 411	I've had a sigma 30mm 1.4 for ages, it's the lens i use most, usually always on the camera. Great lens with a good focal length on a APS-C, i'm happy to use it at 1.4 too. I've not used it for HD recording (not decided whether to get a 550 or 7D) the manual focus range is about 90 degrees, whereas the Canon 50mm f1.4 has about 180 degrees of travel. Perhaps this would make a difference in deciding? cheers paul