[68wSteve]

So,

Having a tough time thinking which lense should fill a part of my LBA . I want a good low light portrait lense and was thinking of the Sigma 30mm f1.4 instead of the FA 31mm Ff1.8 ltd because of cost.

Reason for DA* 200 f2.8 is because im lacking range from 135-300mm. Here is my current setup.

10-17mm Fisheye, DA* 16-50mm, DA* 50-135mm, DA* 300mm

I messed around with both Sigma 100-300mm but went back to DA*300 because of size and handheld ability. Also had (in process of selling Sigma 70-200, because of better range than DA* 50-135 but, find 50-135 easier to use indoors for some things. I think i would use portrait lense more, because the 50-135 still has decent cropping ability. Anyways just seeking opinions

Thanks

Steve

[jezza323]

id say the 30mm, but thats just cos i want 1 myself!

[Ash]

Being interested in portraiture, the fast 30's a great option.
Any reason for wanting a 200/2.8? What would you be shooting?
If you need the versatility perhaps one of those Sigma 120-400s or the like may be another option - don't know what one of those would set you back by, definitely more than the 200/2.8...

[wlachan]

I see little reason having the DA*200/2.8 since you have 135 & 300 covered.

[68wSteve]

Being interested in portraiture, the fast 30's a great option.
Any reason for wanting a 200/2.8? What would you be shooting?
If you need the versatility perhaps one of those Sigma 120-400s or the like may be another option - don't know what one of those would set you back by, definitely more than the 200/2.8...

I see little reason having the DA*200/2.8 since you have 135 & 300 covered.

Reason for the DA*200 was the gap between the 135-300

[ezechiel]

I see little reason having the DA*200/2.8 since you have 135 & 300 covered.

Totally agree. With a little crop on the 135 image, you could maybe achieve same results as 200. And hell, you have a 300mm. I envy you, long range (above 200) is the only thing I'm missing. Strange enough, with my 50-200, I never use it below 150-170mm and I allways @!#%*& because 200 is not enough . The lens below is a 90mm. So the mid-range is not something I would buy.
But I repeat Ash's question:

What would you be shooting?

And you may have the DA* 16-50, but I prefer primes. I would go for the 30mm.
Seems to be a versatile focal lenght..

just my opinion ^^

[Andi Lo]

What a nice setup... No frills, all DA*s

I'd say get the 30mm first, and get a Takumar, K, or A 200mm and see if you like the FOV, then decide whether to let go of the sigma, or just buy both!

[Kirivon]

Maybe I'm a bit biased, having just bought one, but I'd choose the Sigma 30mm.

It doesn't look like the DA*200 would give you anything you couldn't achieve with your current setup, either from cropping the DA*50-130 or backing up with the DA*300. Perspective changes aren't as dramatic between telephotos either, so the DA*200 would primarily be providing an added layer of quality or convenience.

The Sigma, on the other hand, would give you shallower depth of field and more pleasing bokeh than what DA*16-50 can deliver. It seems the Sigma usually gets written off as a cheaper alternative for the FA31. However, while comparing images online, I ended up preferring the bokeh and contrast of the Sigma. Granted the FA31 obliterates the sigma once stopped down but, since a good zoom lens can rival a prime at smaller apertures, using a prime stopped down all the time seems almost a waste.

Having just returned home I haven't had the chance to play with the sigma yet, but here are two snapshots I took to test if the lens was OK. Both shots were wide open at f/1.4, processed with default settings in Silkypix.





Edit: I forgot to mention, if you do decide on the Sigma 30mm, 47st.Photo sells them on Ebay Buy it Now or Best Offer, and they will take an offer of 389.95.

[8540tomg]

68Wsteve,

Sounds like your mind is almost made up already. You do have a gap around 200mm. The area around 30mm is already covered by the very good DA* 16-50. I seem to shoot a lot of things such as football, field hockey/auditorium stuff and a fast 200mm is a great focal length for me. If I were in the enviable position of owning your collection of glass the 200mm would be my choice. Ash is correct is asking what you will be shooting. If you find yourself wanting in the 200mm area then the DA*200/2.8 would be a logical fit. Seems to me you already have the portrait length covered. The good news is you will get a great lens either way.

Tom G

[68wSteve]

Being interested in portraiture, the fast 30's a great option.
Any reason for wanting a 200/2.8? What would you be shooting?

As far as 200/2.8, nothing specific, just figured this was a great in between lense from 135 to 300. I really think though, i will go with the 30mm, because it will be a great all around lens, especially indoors and low light

steve

[ll_coffee_lP]

Hi Steve

As you are aware I recently sold my FA35 and replaced it with a Sigma 30mm...and I am very pleased with the results. You've indicated that you are looking for a low light prime lens for shooting portraits and that is EXACTLY what the Sigma 30mm is built for. The lens is incredibly sharp from f/1.6 and has an excellent build quality to it. I would highly recommend it.

As for whether you should get the 30 or the 200....well, as indicated earlier you can always crop the 135 a bit, or step back from the 300 to achieve the 200's results. What you can't do though is shoot below f/2.8 on any of your lenses.

I don't think you can really go wrong with either lens though...

Good luck

c[_]

[apisto]

I also am thinking about the Sigma 30mm 1.4. I would like to get the FA31, but it is so much more expensive.

Mostly I would be using the lens for indoor portraits without flash. But many portraits would be of two people, for example my wife and son cooking. So with 2 subjects taking up the center 2/3 to 3/4 of the frame, would that be getting into the "edge softness" I read so much about with this lens?

I use my FA43 for these shots now, but sometimes I find it too long for this purpose. I have some small rooms in my house.

[photogerald]

So,

Having a tough time thinking which lense should fill a part of my LBA . I want a good low light portrait lense and was thinking of the Sigma 30mm f1.4 instead of the FA 31mm Ff1.8 ltd because of cost.

Reason for DA* 200 f2.8 is because im lacking range from 135-300mm. Here is my current setup.

10-17mm Fisheye, DA* 16-50mm, DA* 50-135mm, DA* 300mm

I messed around with both Sigma 100-300mm but went back to DA*300 because of size and handheld ability. Also had (in process of selling Sigma 70-200, because of better range than DA* 50-135 but, find 50-135 easier to use indoors for some things. I think i would use portrait lense more, because the 50-135 still has decent cropping ability. Anyways just seeking opinions

Thanks

Steve

Hi Steve, here's a crazy thought - why not get the Sigma 30 and also the DA55-300 to fill in the gap at the long end. As a bonus the DA55-300 also makes for a good travel lens. Sure, you won't gain any low-light ability with this zoom, but for those situations you could just use your DA*50-135 and crop.