Canon 50mm f/1.4 or Sigma 30mm f/1.4?

[dan_1337]

I'm trying to decide between these two lenses. I want a f/1.4 prime for my travels and have looked at many sample pictures from each of these lenses but I still can't decide between them.

I've noticed that I do like the image produced from the Canon more, but that could be due to the photographer and being produced on a full frame sensor (5D) which means that it's actually 50mm rather than 80mm on a 1.6x crop.

The only real reason I'm looking at the Sigma 30mm is because it produces a 48mm length with my 350D/XT 1.6x crop.

Most of my photos with the f/1.4 will be in low light conditions and be stopped between 1.4 and 2.8.

Does anyone have any experience with either or both of these lenses and would anyone be able to provide advice on which would most likely be more suitable for my needs?

Thanks in advance!

[drumma]

i vote for the sigma 30f1.4 sharp and nice bokeh! if u are not using 1.6x, then the canon 50mm will be better..

[enkindel]

Originally Posted by drumma i vote for the sigma 30f1.4 sharp and nice bokeh! if u are not using 1.6x, then the canon 50mm will be better..

I totally agree! The sigma 30f1.4

But it all depends on what you wil be shooting too. I also used the 50mm (on a 20D) for potraits and it works fine for me.

Oh well...Hope u got the best out of the two.

[StreetShooter]

If you have the 350D, then the only choice is the Sigma 30mm f1.4.

[gama]

I second Sigma 30/1.4 although I am looking at the 50 now as I also like the focal length. Just not too sure about the focusing accuracy of the 50/1.4 therefore waiting to see if 50/1.2L is a lot better in this aspect, then can either sell all my other lenses or buy 4D regularly :P

Btw, does anyone knows if focusing speed/accuracy will be better on 50L than 50/1.4? Someone in this forum mentioned before that 50L is faster than 50/1.4 but others from dpreview said otherwise...in any case, i'll wait.

[vii_haven]

does the sigma 30/1.4 focus faster than the canon 50 1.4 USM?

[dan_1337]

thanks for the replies guys. i'm actually leaning more towards the sigma as it gives me a focal length of 48mm which is much more useable for what i think i will be shooting.

the camera store i usually go to doesn't stock it tho - so i will have to find it elsewhere.

[doug3fflux]

try both. 50mm on 1.6x gives 80mm. iv used it, and the cropped view of 80mm gives a different perspective. also usable.

[gama]

Originally Posted by vii_haven does the sigma 30/1.4 focus faster than the canon 50 1.4 USM?

I don't have the 50/1.4, only tried my friend's a few times. Not enough to make a firm conclusion but from what i've observed so far at low light 30/1.4 seems to focus faster and more accurate than 50/1.4. In better light, both focus as fast.

maybe those who own both can comment?

[Stoned]

Originally Posted by gama I don't have the 50/1.4, only tried my friend's a few times. Not enough to make a firm conclusion but from what i've observed so far at low light 30/1.4 seems to focus faster and more accurate than 50/1.4. In better light, both focus as fast. maybe those who own both can comment?

Under low light, the 50/1.4 hunts less and is able to pinpoint focus more accurately than the 30/1.4 on a MKII body. However the difference is about 95% for the 50mm and 85% for the Sigma lens. Not really that much IMO to affect your decision.

The 30/1.4 is sharper and has more contrast wide open than the 50mm, but the 50mm matches is at F2. It overtakes the Sigma at f5.6 or so. Both lenses start to soften past f8. The Sweet spot is somewhere around f6.3, for both lenses.

Focus is equally fast, or slow, depending on your definition of fast.

The 30/1.4 can be used on a 1.3X body without vignetting wide open only. When stopped down even to f1.6, there is noticable vignetting and when down to f1.8 or smaller, there is significant vignetting.

[Fiip]

Pricewise, what's the difference ?

I got my 50 1.4 at 500 second hand, I don't know the price of the Sigma but looking for a 30mm.

Shooting portrait with the 50mm is quite enjoyable and give good results at f2, at that aperture, I tend to focus manually as I'm more confident in it than in the focusing points of my 30d (not their accuracy but their location)

[dan_1337]

well guys, i went out to buy my 30mm f/1.4 today.

i'm in melbourne and got it for a good price of A$550 which is around S$630. Plus i get A$50 back when i leave for Singapore in 3 weeks which makes it A$500. also picked up a Hoya UMC UV filter for it (A$50).

most of the shops i went to sold it for A$599 but i reckon i could pull it down to A$550 quite easily. i don't seem to have any problems with it YET, but only time and more shots will tell. i'll try and take a few pics in the next couple of days and post them up.

[art2d3d]

Sigma 's QC questionable.

[drumma]

Originally Posted by dan_1337 well guys, i went out to buy my 30mm f/1.4 today. i'm in melbourne and got it for a good price of A$550 which is around S$630. Plus i get A$50 back when i leave for Singapore in 3 weeks which makes it A$500. also picked up a Hoya UMC UV filter for it (A$50). most of the shops i went to sold it for A$599 but i reckon i could pull it down to A$550 quite easily. i don't seem to have any problems with it YET, but only time and more shots will tell. i'll try and take a few pics in the next couple of days and post them up.

will love to see some samples soon.

[dan_1337]

This is an unedited 100% crop.

Taken by hand, spider web was being blown in the wind a little which probably contributed to the slightest of shake.

1/125, f/2.8, ISO-100, +2/3.



also should note that the focal point was as good as i could get it on the spider itself taken from a reverse angle.

[dan_1337]

100% crops, no ps editing.

1/20, f/2.8, ISO-400, 30mm



top one is the 30mm, bottom my 24-70 2.8

as you can see, the top one is noticeably sharper compared with my 24-70 at 30mm (actually, i kinda took the second one at 28mm...)

[drumma]

any pics of it wide open?

[slacker123]

a prime stopped down two stops will easily blow a zoom shot open out of the water


at the end of the day, buy what you believe you'll use more. equipment really isn't everything...

[adamadam]

Dear Singaporeans,
May I know what is the price of this lens in Singapore?
Approximate should do
Thank you very much.

I'm also going to Singapore in less than 3 weeks

[dan_1337]

Originally Posted by adamadam Dear Singaporeans, May I know what is the price of this lens in Singapore? Approximate should do Thank you very much. I'm also going to Singapore in less than 3 weeks

From what i remember seeing in the Sigma price list it was about S$730.

I'm in melbourne and was able to get it for A$550 from Camera Action Camerahouse...not sure if u have it in perth. Teds also stock it for $599.95 and u can claim the GST at the airport.