Sigma 30mm f1.4 to complement ZD 50mm f2.0?

[holidaydom]

I'm considering getting the Sigma 30mm f1.4 but I already have the ZD 50mm f2.0 Macro and have been using it as a "walkabout prime" from time to time.

I'm thinking the sigma may be more sutiable for this as it's slightly wider, brighter, and catches focus faster...

But what do you all think? Work within the limits of the ZD50 and save the money or shell out for the Sigma?

Would love you hear your thoughts...Thanks~!!

[tunghk]

I guess if you can, work within the limit of the 50mm as I believe its quality is better than the sigma (although I did not have the sigma as well). But if you really need the wider angle of the 30mm, I guess you will have no choice.... I have notice myself using the 50mm more than the 14-54mm although the zoom is much more flexible...

[OlyFlyer]

Selling the ED50 Macro? Never in my life unless I sell everything. Definitely would never sell my best lens just to get money for the Sigma. I am actually also thinking on getting the Sigma 30mm or the 24mm but not instead of the 50mm, only as a complement. Actually I would more like to get something around 25mm but the 25mm f1.4 Leica is too expensive, too big and too heavy. So, actually I think the 50mm is a very good walk about lens.

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer Selling the ED50 Macro?

Oh no no no... that thought had never crossed my mind!

I simply love my ZD50 and in fact have been using it more than my 14-54 cos the bokeh is so sweet.

I'm just considering if the 30mm f1.4 will be worthwhile addition...

[tao]

Originally Posted by holidaydom I'm considering getting the Sigma 30mm f1.4 but I already have the ZD 50mm f2.0 Macro and have been using it as a "walkabout prime" from time to time. I'm thinking the sigma may be more sutiable for this as it's slightly wider, brighter, and catches focus faster... But what do you all think? Work within the limits of the ZD50 and save the money or shell out for the Sigma? Would love you hear your thoughts...Thanks~!!

I have both... they make a lovely pair. Great tag-team if you like.

I ended up using the Sigma 30mm F1.4 more often as it is wider and faster, thus more suitable as a walkabout lens but for sheer image quality, nothing beats the Zuiko 50mm F2.0. The latter is what I prefer when taking portraits of my little daughter.

[halcy0n]

Hi,

I have both the 30mm and the ZD50 as well and the 30mm came on as an addition after I found the the ZD50 less flexible given its longer focal length and I really wanted a wider and brighter lens. I totally agree with tao and the 30mm makes a great tag team with the ZD50. I spent most of my 2 week holiday in Tokyo with the 30mm on my E-1 and the 14-45 on the E-330. As it turned out, most of my pictures were either taken with the ZD50 or the 30mm!

If you can spare the cash, I'd say shell out for the 30mm too!

Cheers
Richard

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by holidaydom Oh no no no... that thought had never crossed my mind! I simply love my ZD50 and in fact have been using it more than my 14-54 cos the bokeh is so sweet. I'm just considering if the 30mm f1.4 will be worthwhile addition...

Yes, I definitely believe it is a good complement. But why not go for the 24mm f1.4? It is as bright and a bit wider. In fact, I think it is a better complement except that it is bigger and heavier than the 30mm. The lens is new and I have no idea if it is available already.

[holidaydom]

Ouch! - That Leica will probably break the bank!

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by holidaydom Ouch! - That Leica will probably break the bank!

Sure, but I mean the new Sigma 24mm f1.4.

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer Sure, but I mean the new Sigma 24mm f1.4.

A SIGMA 24mm f1.4???

Oh boy - Didn't know they were coming out with one! - Gotta check that out~!!

Kudos mate

[holidaydom]

Ahh... it's a 24mm F1.8 EX DG Macro

(Started a new thread on it in the Fourm.)

Sounds good on paper - being EX and DG and all.

But being a Macro, it'll probably focus slower as compared to the 30mm f1.4 but it might be (and probably is) sharper overall.

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by holidaydom Ahh... it's a 24mm F1.8 EX DG Macro (Started a new thread on it in the Fourm.) Sounds good on paper - being EX and DG and all. But being a Macro, it'll probably focus slower as compared to the 30mm f1.4 but it might be (and probably is) sharper overall.

Yes, well sorry for the misinformation I gave. 24mm f1.8 is the one I meant. Anyway, 1.4 or 1.8 not a big deal IMO. Problem is that the lens is quite big, even compared to the 30mm.

[ykgen]

i personally think that 24mm is nothing if compared to f1.4.. if u want wider.. just step back a few steps then u can get your "24mm" but f1.4 is one stop to f1.8 which really helps under low loght condition..

[OlyFlyer]

Originally Posted by ykgen i personally think that 24mm is nothing if compared to f1.4.. if u want wider.. just step back a few steps then u can get your "24mm" but f1.4 is one stop to f1.8 which really helps under low loght condition..

In a way I agree. On the other hand, is the f1.4 usable at all? I know the Olympus OM 50mm f1.4 was actually not better than the much cheaper f1.8, because that one could be used all the way from 1.8 while the f1.4 had to be stoped down. I don't know if that is the case with Sigma also but I think the biggest difference IMO is that the 24mm is macro the 30mm is not. Even if one is not into macro, there may occasions when it is good to have. But again, the 24mm is both much heavier and bigger than the 30mm, having a huge 77mm filter diameter making it more difficult to handle. But again, it may also be better in quality.

Just my thoughts, I have no Sigma lens at all.

[holidaydom]

Originally Posted by OlyFlyer Just my thoughts, I have no Sigma lens at all.

I don't blame you... I've read lots about SIGMA's overall quality (or lack thereof) and am, as such, a little apprehensive about getting the 30mm f1.4 (back-focusing problems, paint peeling,...)


But that aside, I'll say that being a Macro lens, the 24mm would probably focus a little more slowly than the 30mm. and the seeing the differences; (1) you can just take one step back with the 30mm to get the view of a 24mm. (2) f1.4 vs f1.8 - not much of a difference.

The key factor for me would be that the 30mm has HSM for faster focusing.

Which for it's intended purpose - walkabout and indoor - would really be most helpful.