Sigma or Canon prime?

Shootz · 2nd August 2007

I am looking to buy a prime lens around EF 28 or 30 mm. Was wondering which one I should get, the sigma 30mm f1.4 or the canon 28 mm f1.8. I have a canon 20D and had read that the Sigma might have fron focusing problems on the Canon body. So I would appreciate it if anyone can have any suggestion.

spartacus.ret · 2nd August 2007

many factors to consider:

1. like you have mentioned, the sigma is prone to focusing problems and you may have some trouble getting a good copy. alternatively, you can send it in for calibration.

2. aperture? the sigma 30mm is an f/1.4 while the canon 28mm starts at f/1.8. thus, this gives the sigma the edge in terms of low light ability as well as general sharpness when stopped down till about f/4.

3. compatibility? the sigma 30mm is designed only for aps-c camera, like your 20d, while the ef 28mm is a full frame designed lens. thus, the canon may be used on aps-h cameras, full frame as well as film cameras without the black circles. however, the sigma may also be used on aps-h cameras with little 'vignetting'.

4. sharpness? as the sigma starts @ f/1.4 and is desgined only for aps-c cameras, the sigma 30mm is sharper in the center, while weaker in the edges. yet, the canon 28mm had an overall more consistent sharpness than the sigma 30mm.

personally, i chose the canon 28mm f/1.8 - especially when i managed to pick up one at a good price.

Shootz · 2nd August 2007

Ah!
Thanks! So how much would the price on the Canon and the Sigma be respectively?

spartacus.ret · 2nd August 2007

$800 +/- and $600 +/-?

but you pay more for the canon for its greater versatility ya?

spazzer · 2nd August 2007

Originally Posted by spartacus.ret

$800 +/- and $600 +/-?

but you pay more for the canon for its greater versatility ya?

totally agree sometimes however u have to take into account other factors

newmemberz · 2nd August 2007

I vote for sigma!
It's a helluva great lens and I'm lovin it.

Halfmoon · 2nd August 2007

Originally Posted by Shootz

I am looking to buy a prime lens around EF 28 or 30 mm. Was wondering which one I should get, the sigma 30mm f1.4 or the canon 28 mm f1.8. I have a canon 20D and had read that the Sigma might have fron focusing problems on the Canon body. So I would appreciate it if anyone can have any suggestion.

I was choosing a prime around this range too... I was debating 28mm vs 35mm....
I ended up with a 35mm f2 instead.... as I was on film and I prefer 35mm over 28mm... 35mm price is much lower too, and there was this site where I read the reviews........ 35mm focusing is not that slow, but just some sound that I can live with. Sharpness is definitely there....

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

http://www.the-digital-picture.com/R...ns-Review.aspx

Personally, I would prefer to go for Canon rather than 3rd party.....

calebk · 2nd August 2007

It's a cast iron b**ch trying to get a good, accurate-focusing, sharp copy of the Sigma. My vote goes to the Canon.

Do take note that even for primes, no matter how sharp, you also seldom shoot wide open. Stopping down at least 2/3 of a stop is a generally safe rule.

Sadly, for the Sigma 30mm, both copies that I tried were still inherently soft even down to f/2.8. That's two stops down from maximum aperture. While one focused accurately, the other was backfocusing a noticeable bit.

newmemberz · 3rd August 2007

Originally Posted by calebk

It's a cast iron b**ch trying to get a good, accurate-focusing, sharp copy of the Sigma. My vote goes to the Canon.

Do take note that even for primes, no matter how sharp, you also seldom shoot wide open. Stopping down at least 2/3 of a stop is a generally safe rule.

Sadly, for the Sigma 30mm, both copies that I tried were still inherently soft even down to f/2.8. That's two stops down from maximum aperture. While one focused accurately, the other was backfocusing a noticeable bit.

Seldom shoot wide open? then why do u buy f/1.4 if u r not going to make use of it?

Ok la... come come I show u the beauty of this lens.

Shot at f/1.4 (straight out from camera)

100% crop

dan_1337 · 3rd August 2007

i vote sigma. mine was perfect out of the box and use it a lot to shoot at 1.4. never had any issues with it!

Stoned · 3rd August 2007

Had great results too using the Sigma to shoot night time streets wide open in Japan with a 350d. I'd recommend it without hesitation.

2nd August 2007	#1
Shootz Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 148	Sigma or Canon prime? I am looking to buy a prime lens around EF 28 or 30 mm. Was wondering which one I should get, the sigma 30mm f1.4 or the canon 28 mm f1.8. I have a canon 20D and had read that the Sigma might have fron focusing problems on the Canon body. So I would appreciate it if anyone can have any suggestion.

2nd August 2007	#2
spartacus.ret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,358	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? many factors to consider: 1. like you have mentioned, the sigma is prone to focusing problems and you may have some trouble getting a good copy. alternatively, you can send it in for calibration. 2. aperture? the sigma 30mm is an f/1.4 while the canon 28mm starts at f/1.8. thus, this gives the sigma the edge in terms of low light ability as well as general sharpness when stopped down till about f/4. 3. compatibility? the sigma 30mm is designed only for aps-c camera, like your 20d, while the ef 28mm is a full frame designed lens. thus, the canon may be used on aps-h cameras, full frame as well as film cameras without the black circles. however, the sigma may also be used on aps-h cameras with little 'vignetting'. 4. sharpness? as the sigma starts @ f/1.4 and is desgined only for aps-c cameras, the sigma 30mm is sharper in the center, while weaker in the edges. yet, the canon 28mm had an overall more consistent sharpness than the sigma 30mm. personally, i chose the canon 28mm f/1.8 - especially when i managed to pick up one at a good price.

2nd August 2007	#3
Shootz Member Join Date: Apr 2006 Posts: 148	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? Ah! Thanks! So how much would the price on the Canon and the Sigma be respectively?

2nd August 2007	#4
spartacus.ret Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 2,358	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? $800 +/- and $600 +/-? but you pay more for the canon for its greater versatility ya?

2nd August 2007	#6
newmemberz Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Posts: 1,574	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? I vote for sigma! It's a helluva great lens and I'm lovin it.

2nd August 2007	#8
calebk Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Clementi Posts: 10,476	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? It's a cast iron bch trying to get a good, accurate-focusing, sharp copy of the Sigma. My vote goes to the Canon. Do take note that even for primes, no matter how sharp, you also seldom shoot wide open. Stopping down at least 2/3 of a stop is a generally safe rule. Sadly, for the Sigma 30mm, both copies that I tried were still inherently soft even down to f/2.8. That's two stops down from maximum aperture. While one focused accurately, the other was backfocusing a noticeable bit. __________________ deviantART** \| fotologue Last edited by calebk; 2nd August 2007 at 11:51 PM.

3rd August 2007	#10
dan_1337 Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 586	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? i vote sigma. mine was perfect out of the box and use it a lot to shoot at 1.4. never had any issues with it! __________________ 5D \| 24-70L \| 28mm f/1.8 \| 580EX

3rd August 2007	#11
Stoned Senior Member Join Date: May 2004 Location: Changi Posts: 4,376	Re: Sigma or Canon prime? Had great results too using the Sigma to shoot night time streets wide open in Japan with a 350d. I'd recommend it without hesitation. __________________ My Personal Folio (of random events and things)