Any comments on Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM

[duntellu]

Hi guys and gers,
I was reading up on some prime lenses and found the above.
Are there any fellow users in CS who can share their experience with this lens?

Given its aperature, there wouldn't be any difficulty in getting good shots of fireworks, nite scenary rite? It balls down to technique and correct exposure for the desired effect isnt it?

thanks in advance

[zaxh81]

This is nikon sub forum,posting in the correct sub forum do helps.

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by zaxh81 This is nikon sub forum,posting in the correct sub forum do helps.

thanks for the headsup...was intending to find the remarks of nikon users of this lens, which was why i posted it in the nikon sub-forum and wasnt really sure it would gather any attention if i put it in the others sub-forum.

sorry about the wrong sub-forum though.

[zaxh81]

http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/30_14_ex_dc_hsm
Sample images but not all from nikon cameras.

[Cheesecake]

Originally Posted by zaxh81 http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/30_14_ex_dc_hsm Sample images but not all from nikon cameras.

helpful lad.


nice fotos from this lens.

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by zaxh81 http://www.pbase.com/cameras/sigma/30_14_ex_dc_hsm Sample images but not all from nikon cameras.

nice pics

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by duntellu Given its aperature, there wouldn't be any difficulty in getting good shots of fireworks, nite scenary rite? It balls down to technique and correct exposure for the desired effect isnt it?

Sorry, couldn't help myself...

First, it's "boils down..." not "balls down..."

Secondly, the f/1.4 aperture isn't going to help your fireworks shots. People tend to have their lenses set to small apertures like f/11 or more with shutters opening for 1sec or longer. Focusing is also set to manual, well, they usually just set the focusing distance to infinity.

Thirdly, this is a very, very good lens that is very sharp and yields very creamy bokeh. Those who purchase this lens buy it for those reasons so they can shoot photos that will capitalise on the lenses strength during the day or with the help of lighting.

Don't spend $800 on this lens just to shoot fireworks, it'll be a complete waste.

Cheers

_

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by deadpixel Sorry, couldn't help myself... First, it's "boils down..." not "balls down..." Secondly, the f/1.4 aperture isn't going to help your fireworks shots. People tend to have their lenses set to small apertures like f/11 or more with shutters opening for 1sec or longer. Focusing is also set to manual, well, they usually just set the focusing distance to infinity. Thirdly, this is a very, very good lens that is very sharp and yields very creamy bokeh. Those who purchase this lens buy it for those reasons so they can shoot photos that will capitalise on the lenses strength during the day or with the help of lighting. Don't spend $800 on this lens just to shoot fireworks, it'll be a complete waste. Cheers _

typed too fast but u caught me :P

thanks for the tips, haven actually had the chance to shoot with prime lenses.
i wasnt planning to use it just to shoot fireworks, but going to capitalise on the low light ability. and from the sample shots i've seen, seems like it can produce very nice pictures if i know how to use it properly.

hopefully one day i'll feel confident enough to show my pics for c&c...till then i'll b improving my composition n techniques.

does this lens suffer from the same horrible sigma build and qc issues i read on the net?

[gama]

Originally Posted by duntellu typed too fast but u caught me :P thanks for the tips, haven actually had the chance to shoot with prime lenses. i wasnt planning to use it just to shoot fireworks, but going to capitalise on the low light ability. and from the sample shots i've seen, seems like it can produce very nice pictures if i know how to use it properly. hopefully one day i'll feel confident enough to show my pics for c&c...till then i'll b improving my composition n techniques. does this lens suffer from the same horrible sigma build and qc issues i read on the net?

I use this lens on Canon but I suppose the general quality would be the same with Nikon.

I am very pleased with this lens, image quality is very good (for the price), comparable to the highly praised Canon EF35/1.4L (not sure if Nikon has something similar). It is very sharp, good colour (could be even better with Nikon's punchy colour) and good contrast.

I use it a lot for indoor portrait, bokeh very good.

No problem with built quality, it is EX range if you are familiar with Sigma lens. Focusing speed is fast although a tad slower than Canon's USM, not sure about Nikon's AF-S.

Might be known for some QC issues, i.e. front-focusing (experienced it myself). But it only took 1-2 hours at Sigma centre to calibrate it to your body and it's free if under warranty, so definitely worth a try.

Since it is considered wide-angle, DOF is greater when subject distance increases so possible to use wide aperture, e.g. 1.4-2.0 for night shots outdoor.

Overall, great lens at great price.

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by duntellu typed too fast but u caught me :P thanks for the tips, haven actually had the chance to shoot with prime lenses. i wasnt planning to use it just to shoot fireworks, but going to capitalise on the low light ability. and from the sample shots i've seen, seems like it can produce very nice pictures if i know how to use it properly. hopefully one day i'll feel confident enough to show my pics for c&c...till then i'll b improving my composition n techniques. does this lens suffer from the same horrible sigma build and qc issues i read on the net?

The Nikon version of this lens is pretty good...I got one the day it was released and have since influenced at least 5 others into purchasing this lens.

In terms of build, it is quite solid, though I do wish that the coating on the lens barrel was more durable. I've scrapped off some of it by accident due to rough handling.

Images taken through this lens are contrasty with good colors. Sharpness is excellent in the center but is still pretty good at the edges. People are in the habit of comparing this lens' edge sharpness with the Nikon 28 f/1.4D's but you can't really compare them in this way because you'd be comparing results from a full-frame capable lens against a digital APS only lens.

_

[StreetShooter]

What this lens can do is allow you to take half body or full body shots of people while still retaining gorgeous bokeh in the background. To get that sort of bokeh with a 50mm or 85mm lens, you can only do headshots.

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by deadpixel The Nikon version of this lens is pretty good...I got one the day it was released and have since influenced at least 5 others into purchasing this lens. In terms of build, it is quite solid, though I do wish that the coating on the lens barrel was more durable. I've scrapped off some of it by accident due to rough handling. Images taken through this lens are contrasty with good colors. Sharpness is excellent in the center but is still pretty good at the edges. People are in the habit of comparing this lens' edge sharpness with the Nikon 28 f/1.4D but you can't really compare them in this way because you'd be comparing results from a full-frame capable lens against a digital APS only lens. _

deadpixel for the nikon version, how much did u paid for tat baby?

which lens by nikon r ff ? how would i check that?

[deadpixel]

Originally Posted by duntellu deadpixel for the nikon version, how much did u paid for tat baby? which lens by nikon r ff ? how would i check that?

If I remember correctly, it was around SG$750. I actually went to get another SB800 but when I saw the lens, I ended up putting off the SB800 purchase and getting the lens instead.

All lenses by Nikon not marked with a DX suffix are FF lenses. Similarly, all Sigma lenses not marked with DC are FF lenses (do not confuse this with DG).

_

[duntellu]

Originally Posted by deadpixel If I remember correctly, it was around SG$750. I actually went to get another SB800 but when I saw the lens, I ended up putting off the SB800 purchase and getting the lens instead. All lenses by Nikon not marked with a DX suffix are FF lenses. Similarly, all Sigma lenses not marked with DC are FF lenses (do not confuse this with DG). _

well, with all the good pics taken from this 28mm gem i'm sure the slight delay was worth it.