For the opportunity of the Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon lens review many thanks to Ivan Kosarekov and web studio Mcsite
View of the Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM with a lens hood
History
The Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM was the first of its kind, but eventually upgraded to Sigma 30 / 1.4 Art.
As a result, there are three similar Sigma lenses:
- On February 14, 2005 a lens model was introduced from this Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 EX DC HSM review [for SLR APS-C]
- The receiver was introduced on January 29, 2013. Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 DC | A (Art) [for SLR APS-C]
- On February 23, 2016, an add-on lens was introduced. Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 DC DN | C (Contemporary) [for mirrorless APS-C]
Separately, it is worth highlighting an alternative for the Sigma 30 / 1.4 Art - a zoom lens with a very high aperture Sigma 18-35 / 1.8 DC Art and full-frame-like lens Sigma 35 / 1.4 Art.
And Sigma has another less light 'thirty' - Sigma 30mm 1: 2.8 DN | A (Art) for mirrorless cameras Micro 4/3 and Sony E.
The Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM is a good fast prime lens for cropped APS-C cameras. Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM is available for different mounts (Canon, Nikon, Sigma). This review presents an option specifically for the Nikon system. Please note that this lens will only work on Nikon DX cameras, and will not work correctly on FX type cameras. Nikon D3, D800 etc.
Bokeh on Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM. MDF Focus
It's funny, but the company Nikon in the summer of 2012 does not have a single super fast aperture for cropped Nikon DX cameras. At the same time, the Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM not only has amazing aperture, but also positioned as a professional lens, for which EX marking is responsible.
- AF HSM (Auto Focus, Hyper Sonic Motor) - built-in silent focusing motor.
- EX (EXcellence) - maximum, excellent quality of performance.
- DC - for APS-C cameras, in this case for Nikon DX
Photo by Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM. The lens pattern is very nice
Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM very fast focus. The focusing ring is very convenient and rotates in the active mode 90 degrees, in the passive mode the ring travel is not limited. But, unfortunately, the focus does not fully support the Nikon M / A mode on the lens. you cannot make manual corrections focus when autofocus mode and AF-C. When autofocus is on and you turn the focus ring with your hands, a conflict occurs between the manual and automatic focusers.
Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM. Sample photo
Important: Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM does not have a focus mode switch, with the lens attached, auto focus is always on. This is very inconvenient on the younger line of Nikon cameras (which do not have a focus motor), since in order to switch the camera to manual focus mode M (MF), you need to poke around the menu for a long time. On older Nikon cameras that have a built-in focus motor, you can switch to manual focus mode quite quickly using the special lever near the lens mount.
Sigma AF 30 1.4 EX DC HSM. Sample photo
Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM no internal focus, but the focusing method itself makes it possible to use any filters without problems, since the filter is screwed into the lens barrel, and not into the front lens barrel. The front lens in this case moves back and forth in the middle of the frame and does not rotate. The same focusing method can be found with Nikon lenses, for example Nikon 50mm f / 1.8G AF-S Nikkor и Nikon 50mm f / 1.4G AF-S Nikkor.
Sigma AF 30 1.4 EX DC HSM. Sample photo
Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon Designed for Nikon DX cameras only. This means that when used on APS-C NIKON DX cameras, the viewing angle will be narrower than on a classic 35mm film, and EGF will fit 45mm. This is a rather convenient field of vision for a fixed lens, since the lens becomes almost universal on crop. On the APS-C Canon 1.6X, the lens almost turns into a fifty dollars with 48 millimeters of focal length. How much such a focal length will be convenient, you need to decide for the photographer himself.
Sigma AF 30 1.4 EX DC HSM. Sample photo
Fans of shooting different trifles Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM is not very suitable, since the lens has a minimum focusing distance of as much as 40 cm, and the lens simply can not focus on objects that are closer than this distance. Given the viewing angle at 30mm focal length, even photographing a flower close-up will be quite difficult.
Sigma AF 30 1.4 EX DC HSM. Photo on open aperture
The lens is very heavy. Yes, I was very surprised that such a small 30mm fix weighs as much as 430g. On my little camera Nikon D40 the weight balance is rather unusually distributed. The lens itself is made really to the highest level. The lens boasts the inscription “Lens Made in Japan”, the same is written on the front cover.
Sigma AF 30 1.4 EX DC HSM. Photo on open aperture
Lens hood
The Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM comes with a hood included. The hood can be worn backwards to the front of the lens and always carried with you. With your back on in front of the hood, access to the focusing ring is completely blocked.
Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM compared to Nikon 35mm f / 1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor
Nikon has a similar lens - Nikon 35mm f / 1.8G AF-S DX Nikkorwith a slightly larger focal length and a little smaller aperture. Nikon 35mm f / 1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor weighs two and a half times less, costs two and a half times cheaper and gives excellent quality. The Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM outperforms its native counterpart in aperture, focusing speed and distortion. If there is a choice between these two lenses, I would take my own 35-lens.
Size difference
Sample Photos
All sample photos were taken on camera. Nikon D40. I specifically used the old non-motorized camera to show that all functions work fine even on the simplest camera. All photos without processing, reduced size 1600 * 1200 and imprinted data from EXIF.
Image quality
Image quality was up to par. The sharpness in the center is high even at F1.4, at the edges the sharpness becomes good with an aperture of F2.8, from F2.8 to F16.0 the sharpness is just wonderful. Even at F16.0, diffraction has little effect on quality, therefore, shooting the landscape will be quite simple. The lens has very small HAmuch less than Nikon 35mm f / 1.8G AF-S DX Nikkor... Slight vignetting is noticeable at open apertures. The Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM delivers a “star effect” from F2.0. Using an 8-blade diaphragm produces nice bokeh that is slightly curled around the edges of the frame. The lens tolerates side and back light well, gives normal contrast and color rendition. The only drawback is the slight barrel distortion. In general, the picture quality is at a very good level.
Photo on Sigma 30 1.4
Personal experience
I personally found it strange such a lot of weight and the lack of a focus switch, and even the focus is not internal with a very large MDF. But with all this, the lens really meets the class of professional top-end lenses. On my copy stands protective filter at 62mm and the focusing is actually internal. The lens has a very large aperture F1.4, but this will not allow normal taking photos with blurry background, since the lens has a very small focal length, and infinity “begins” after 2 meters.
Sigma AF 30 1.4 EX DC HSM. Distortion
Prices for the Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM lens in popular online stores can look at this link.
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Conclusions:
The Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM is an excellent lens for crop cameras with huge aperture and good image quality.
UPDATED
Take a look at the review of the successor to this lens - Sigma 30mm 1: 1.4 DC Art.
Material prepared Arkady Shapoval. Training/Consultations | Youtube | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | Telegram
Important: Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM does not have a focus mode switch, with the lens attached, the auto focus mode is always on. This is very inconvenient on the younger line of Nikon cameras (which do not have a focus motor), since in order to switch the camera to manual focus mode M (MF), you need to poke around the menu for a long time. On older Nikon cameras that have a built-in focus motor, you can switch to manual focus mode quite quickly using the special lever near the lens mount.
There is a switch.
Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon does not have a focus mode switch. Everything is exactly as I described in the review. Perhaps you messed up with the Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM for canon or with another lens.
The AF \ M switch is on the camera itself (at least on the D90 and D7000) - i.e. this is not a problem for most.
On younger models there is no switch.
Thanks for the review.
For me, the moment regarding focusing is just very important. And in this regard, QUESTION: does this lens have manual focus without being connected to the camera? Or will it be locked until you connect the lens to the camera and switch to manual mode? I want to put this lens on micro4: 3 system via Nikon (G) -> m4: 3 adapter and use it as manual.
In general, simply put - if I pick up the lens itself and twist the focus ring, will the focus change? : D
Yes, I wrote in the review that manual focusing works, just for the Nikon system there are some subtle troubles there :)
I get it. Fine! So I will take: D Thanks again.
> But unfortunately, focusing does not fully support Nikon M / A mode and lens cannot be manually overridden with autofocus and AF-C on
In the tracking af and on the native glasses, it will not be possible to do manual fine-tuning, because af constantly moving the lens block
Arkady, thank you very much for this review. Nikor bought his “native” 35 / 1.8 after reading your review.
Unfortunately, the review format does not imply a direct comparison of this sigma and 35 / 1.8 nikor.
I think many who choose this fix will be very interested in comparing the focusing speed of the nickor and the specified sigma.
As for Nikor, I completely agree with you that he focuses "usually", 18-70 on d40 did it faster ... As for the "plastic picture", I also agree, there is something like that ...
Please express your opinion, if you spit on the price, does it make sense, in return for Nikor 35 / 1.8, to get this sigma as a staffer, having got a slightly wider angle?
Thanks a lot in advance.
If you already have 35 1.8, then you should not change it.
So the 35th can always be sold for a fair price, the only thing that stops is a sufficient number of reviews about the unstable quality. This is essential because only on order ...
A week I took it, a version for canon, it has an af / mf switch. Like, in general.
The only thing that surprised me was the sound when adjusting the aperture. This type of click-click. Does everyone have this or am I “lucky”?
I can’t tell you, on the Nikon version, the aperture from the camera is controlled, because there it clicks strongly.
That's why speech clicks. On the kenon version, aperture control. also from the camera, so this click-click confused me
I have little experience, I’m used to the fact that the native Kenon lenses only have autofocus sound, but here it’s kind of quiet, the aperture is even louder, maybe it seemed so from surprise
Otherwise, the lens is excellent, I completely agree with the review
I mean that Nikon has a percussion mechanism - the camera hits the paw on the lens with a pusher and clicks from this. Kenon has this mechanism built into the lens, so it should be quieter.
I didn’t know that the mechanics are different
it's not my sound that comes from the lens itself, and not just a click, but such a “click-click”, not loud, it's just unusual for me
The lens is great. Nikon 35mm did not stand next to it (according to the picture). Used it together with Nikon D7000. In India, I shot only on him for three months - because of his picture, although I had a decent set of optics with me. The focusing speed is excellent, it makes a little noise when focusing - not critical. 1,4 is a fully working hole (on my copy).
Now I switched to full frame and sell this lens. It is a pity that he does not fit on FF :(
Thanks for the useful information.
and how much are you going to sell? and where are you territorially?
Geographically in St. Petersburg, I sell for 10 TR
already sold? Otherwise I might have bought ...
I completely agree with you .. I have exactly the same set ... This lens (Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM) is just a rocket ... I'm happy as an elephant that I use it ...
Arkady, for a start, thanks for the wonderful review, but I wanted to clarify. infinity already from two meters, then this lens is a completely unsuccessful option as a portrait lens?
30mm is not a portrait lens.
Sorry, I'll put my two cents in your opinion. )
https://35photo.pro/items/Sigma+AF+30+mm+F1.4+для+CANON_i4457/
Look at the work and say again that this is not a portrait.
And your reviews are good.
30 mm. not a portrait focal length, neither at ff, nor at corp 1,5 \ 1,6. Even on the mic with a stretch. But this does not mean that it is impossible to take a portrait on him, sometimes even a good one.
this is not a portrait painter, you can shoot portraits on fisheye - the point is not what is possible, but in focal length
It’s probably strange to comment after 9 years, but at 30 / 1.4, infinity does not start exactly from 2 meters or even from 20)))
Arkady, thank you so much for the excellent review, I stand in front of the dilemma to take the Nikkor AF-S 35mm f / 1.8G DX or Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM. I have a Nikon D7000. I read a lot about the miss in focus at sigma, that f / 1.4 is not always working, but I liked the picture of sigma more than Nikon. Which is better to choose?
You can take either this, or nikkor 35mm f / 2.0 D or the new expensive 35mm f / 1.4 AP-S
Nikkor 35 f / 1.8 is probably not worth taking - cheap plastic. Like poltinics 1.8
Just a couple of days ago I received my Sigma from the service, and so, after the adjustment, it became a completely different lens! The initial jamb of back focus was such that there was not enough correction scale in D7000. The accuracy of getting an order of magnitude has improved and, most importantly, F 1.4 is absolutely working without any BUT.
Dmitry, does focusing in LiveView work on the D7000?
Yes, in LiveView, focusing works.
Tell me where they adjusted. I have a back and a 5100 camera. I don’t know what is now easier to sell or adjust
Are you sure that the problem is with the glass, and not with the device?
Have you tried aprarat with other aperture glasses?
When I bought a Nikkor 50mm f / 1.4G, and there was a clear backing on the sixth instance, I realized that there was a problem with the carcass (also D5100). I adjusted the carcass, and everything is OK: three copies of the lenses (all that were available in two stores) got pretty accurately. And confirmation of focus on helios-44-2 began to work a little more adequately (it used to be messy).
probably the matter is in the lens.
I tested in many ways. including and as the kenonists advise: direct through live view, switch to the video finder and if you press focus again, the focus ring shifts.
Now only through the show and I take off.
Please tell me, do I have a sigma 30mm ex dс that is much inferior to it with the hsm marking? as I understand it, only in focusing speed and less sound, is the picture quality the same?
Arkady, good afternoon, and if you had a choice, this Sigma AF 30mm f / 1.4 EX DC HSM for Nikon and Nikon AF-S Nikkor 50mm f / 1.4G, I understand that Nikkor is for a full frame, and sigma is for crop, but still your choice
Please tell me, I bought a sigma 30mm f / 1.4 lens, it does not focus in LiveView mode on the D5200, is this a malfunction or should it be so? thanks in advance.
I read that many third-party lenses do not work in LiveView (do not focus) apparently yours is the same.
nonsense
Not bullshit. My Tamron 70-200 / 2.8 was taken back, saying that there is no firmware for the new camera and because of this, it does not focus on live view. With Nikon, even the ancients, this was not.
hello, tell me please, have you solved the problem with live view mode
In addition, I want to add that the lens has a significant drop in sharpness at the edges, with F5.6 everything becomes more or less tolerable! This is especially noticeable in group shots.
Hello Arkady, do not tell me how to decrypt the serial number on the lens 18-50mm f / 2.8 EX DC
No. 1010290? I didn’t find anything in Google by sigma (
google not by sigma, but by marking Nikon lenses;)
Hello Arkady, do not tell me about the Sigma super-wide II multi-coated 24 2.8 AF? Maybe they had the opportunity to shoot him to evaluate the work and the quality of the pictures taken?
Hello, I have Nikon 5100. I want to purchase such a device. Tell me on the crop, and he will give out 30 mm or all 45-50 mm?
45mm.
It's strange so why they write that for a crop matrix ... So they would write that the fix is 45 ... If in the future there will be ff, it will not work at all?
The fact is that in addition to the focal length, lenses have another important property: a well-defined depth of field for each range of FR. Therefore, EGF can be more or less depending on the presence of the crop factor, but the depth of field remains in place. Only the angle of view is reduced. Therefore, even if you make the crop factor 4.0, then you can’t get a telephoto out of the wide, no matter how you like it. The angle may be the same, but he will not wash the background at all. Therefore, all these markings are needed in order to get the expected depth of field, even on a cropped camera with a cropped lens. In some cases, the focal length is chosen so far as. For example, you can shoot full-length portraits of fifty and a half hundred with the same success, but the result will be completely different: a more or less distinguishable background at fifty and a completely blurry color spot for three hundred. Exactly here the focal length plays an auxiliary role, as a certain identifier of the depth of field, which a specific lens is able to give out. And no matter what camera or lens to drop: FX or DX. That is, from a 50mm full-length mount does not work out a 75mm portrait, only because of the recalculation of FR.
It is not true, it will turn out exactly the telephoto, tk. the whole area of the matrix will display a small part of the image. Only the characteristic geometric distortions of the widths will remain. And what does “wash - not wash” here? He is a televik for shooting distant objects, not portraits.
What then to take so that 30-35 fix is suitable for crop good glass at least 1.4-2.0?
Arkady, good afternoon!
Tell me, will it be normal for a wedding shoot ?! Need 30-35 mm on the d300! Can not choose! Thanks!
I’ll add that as a wedding photographer, I’m just a beginner, I need not expensive, wider than my fifty dollars! And then in an apartment with 50 mm is complicated!
Greetings to all.
I’ll clarify for everyone interested the next moment. Of course, the tests conducted by Arkady are very good, but you should read carefully the comments and answers of Arkady after the tests.
He told me that there would be no big difference compared to Nikon 35. 1.8.
Yes, I confirm, there is no big difference. However, this is the opinion of a professional, but for an amateur there is a difference - it is expressed in a certain “festive” color rendering of this lens.
But one BUT! Shoals af! Even if the lens is working properly, then out of 5-7 cases - by ...
In addition, unfortunately you can forget about 1.4-1.6. I have not seen a single normal pha at 1.4. from this lens.
His focal length is surprisingly convenient, and the landscape and even the waist portrait can be removed.
At the moment, it’s not worth taking it, a new and very wonderful sigma 35.1 \ 4 has been released.
But choose carefully !! I chose my own from three copies, one of which was a clear marriage, which even the seller admitted.