Author: | | Site Supporter Registered: September, 2014 Location: Iowa Posts: 1,597 | Review Date: June 11, 2023 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | 30mm length | Cons: | Nowhere near sharp until f/2.8. Autofocus needed slight calibration. | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-3
New Or Used: Used
Autofocus: 7
| | The selling point on this lens is its wide aperture, however, its wide aperture is useless to me in low light. On automatic settings in low light, the camera opens the aperture to f/1.4 which makes your photo soft. It may be a minor inconvenience to some, because you can use the aperture priority setting to set it at f/2.8 and overcome this issue.
It starts to sharpen only at f/2.8, and at f/2.8, it is not as sharp as the Pentax plastic fantastic 50mm f/1.8 when plastic fantastic is set at f/1.8.
I did a comparison with my Pentax M 50mm f/1.4. The M 50mm f/1.4 was slightly sharper at f/2.0 than the Sigma is at f/2.8.
The Pentax DA 40mm f/2.8 Limited at f/2.8 was slightly sharper at f/2.8 than the Sigma at f/2.8.
The Pentax DA 21mm f/3.5 Limited wide open at f/3.5 was a bit more difficult to compare because it is so much wider, but it appeared to be about the same center sharpness as the Sigma was at f/2.8, and the DA 21mm f/3.5 was sharper away from center.
I am just a hobbyist, so maybe this analysis makes sense only to me in that I am comparing lenses of different lengths, and different apertures. If I am taking a dimly lit photo and don't want to think about aperture, I am using a different lens. If 30mm is the ideal lens to use at apertures f/2.8 and narrower, and the camera is set using aperture priority, the Sigma lens works well.
| | | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2013 Location: St. Gallen Posts: 149 | Review Date: January 24, 2020 | Recommended | Price: $190.00
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | haven't found any :-( | Cons: | My Lens is only for APC-S | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 6
Value: 6
Camera Used: K-3, can\'t use it on K-1
New Or Used: Used
Autofocus: 7
| | Helo
I am very disappointed about this lens. I think Sigma has brought 4 different version of this lens on the market
I own the 30mm 1.4 EX (only APC-S, useless on the K-1 :-(
The Screwdriver is very noisy!
But i supposed their are 4 different one which each different specification;
- 1) 30mm 1.4 EX
- 2) 30mm 1.4 EX DC
- 3) 30mm 1.4 DC HSM (https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/560581-USA/Sigma_310_109_Normal_50mm_f_1_4_EX.html)
- 4) 30mm 1.4 DC Art, this is the newest one with only APC-S from 2014
(https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/1037583-REG/sigma_301109_30mm_f_1_4_dc_hsm.html)
Has someone more details about all this different variations?
Ge
BTW. ist the only HighSpeed Wide Angle Lens available the Samyang 24mm F1.4 ED AS UMC or Samyang 35mm F1.4 AS UMC?
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2010 Location: Somewhere in the Southern US Posts: 12,285 | Review Date: October 24, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $289.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Fast, Sharp, Solid and silent | Cons: | Weight & Size, AF sometimes | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 8
Value: 9
Camera Used: K-3
New Or Used: New
Autofocus: 8
| | Excellent length and quite fast. I've had this lens for 6 years and its a keeper IMHO. I find that I do not reach for the DA35 unless I need something light that I don't worry about risking because the Sigma 30 is that much better. Colors are not as warm as many of the Pentax lenses but they aren't cold either. Is it an FA31? Don't own one but at about 40% the cost I'm not complaining. At f1.4 the DoF possibilities make this a wonderful lens to work with in isolating the subject. Low light performance, other than weaker AF, is excellent.
| | | | Pentaxian Registered: April, 2009 Location: Madrid, Spain Posts: 10,894 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: August 9, 2018 | Recommended | Price: $200.00
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Useful focal length, fast max aperture | Cons: | Heavy, AF not reliable or accurate, not too sharp until f/2.8 | | When I originally looked for a good normal prime it was between this lens and the DA 35mm f/2.8 limited, and the limited won. A few years later I came across a copy of the Sigma for €200 and couldn't resist so I bought it and gave it a whirl on the K200D. I later sold it just before I bought my K3 and maybe I should have kept it for a while to see how it fared on that camera, but I didn't so I can only say how it performed on the K200D. Nevertheless, it served to prove my initial decision had been correct. The limited is a keeper, even if it is two stops slower.
Image quality is generally good but it's not sharp wide open and doesn't really get sharp until at least f/2.8, negating the advantage of the f/1.4 aperture, especially compared to the 35mm limited. Stopped down I had no complaints but saw no reason to keep it as the limited was better and sharper at f/2.8. AF was temperamental and could not be relied upon, though the K200D doesn't have the most advanced AF out there either, so some of that is surely down to the camera.
The Sigma is bigger and heavier than the Pentax too, so with the problems mentioned above there was no reason left to keep it.
I'd hesitatingly recommend this lens but with the caveat that only if you need that fast aperture and you're not bothered by it not being very sharp below f/2.8. Otherwise the DA 35mm limited, or the DAL 35mm f/2.4, are better options.
These days I have a Fujifilm X-M1 and Fujinon 35mm f/1.4 lens as my low light/small size combo. The Fujinon is what this Sigma wishes it was - small, very sharp even wide open, amazing rendering and bokeh - practically perfect in every way.
A size comparison with the 35mm f/2.4 (the 35mm limited is practically the same size):
IMGP5898a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
Some sample images:
IMGP1663b by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP6063a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
IMGP6082a by Jonathan MacDonald, on Flickr
| | | | | Site Supporter Registered: February, 2017 Posts: 2,032 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: August 7, 2018 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 8 |
Pros: | Focal length, build quality, IQ, | Cons: | AF in low light not reliable | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K3
New Or Used: Used
Autofocus: 8
| | I bought this because I found a bargain £200 minty copy, and its in my preferred focal length range - 27 to 30mm on APSC. I already have its monstrous big brother the 28mm f1.8 macro, but was not using it so much due to its massive bulk, even though the IQ from that lens is superb. The 30mm is much more manageable! I did not buy it for its max aperture, which is a good thing as the AF in low light is not that reliable, which is the only downside to this lens that I could find, but what a downside if you bought it for low light shots. I get more keepers with my HD DA 35mm f2.8 macro in low light than with this Sigma.
However everything else about this lens is superb, especially when you use it as a general purpose walk about lens. IQ great. Colours great. AF accurate and fast enough, except for low light. Build quality good. Manual focus good. General handling and feel good especially on my K3 with a battery grip.
The aforementioned Sigma 28mm f1.8 is a better lens for low light and does give you a good close up facility, but it is a beast to carry around.
So with the caveat about its low light AF performance aside I would recommend this lens over the 28mm as you are more likely to carry it!
| | | | Senior Member Registered: August, 2014 Posts: 191 3 users found this helpful | Review Date: July 6, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $235.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | good value, very decent IQ, nice combo of focal length and apperture | Cons: | not evident | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
Camera Used: K3
| | Recently I have decided to purchase this lens and I found awesome deal of used one on eBay. I do have a copy of SMC Pentax A 50 mm f1.4 and I knew what to expect from 1.4 as aperture setting. It could be a little challenging to get used to the dept of the field and for initial use you can score high amount not in focus images.
Having said that I have at f 1.4 about 95% success rate of auto focusing and on the scale of the calibration the lens is right on (no need for adjustment in camera). It is tack sharp right from 1.4. For the aberrations please look at the image of my son with the bright sun behind him(#4), IMHO the lens is doing great in such a harsh conditions.
This is definitely one of the best lenses in my bag and probably my favorite prime for the street. IMGP2121 by
Pavel Zhelev, on Flickr IMGP2117 by
Pavel Zhelev, on Flickr IMGP2102 by
Pavel Zhelev, on Flickr IMGP2096 by
Pavel Zhelev, on Flickr IMGP2083 by
Pavel Zhelev, on Flickr
| | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2016 Posts: 47 | Review Date: April 2, 2016 | Recommended | Price: $266.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Performance and price (if purchased used) | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: K5
| | I wanted a fast 'standard' lens and purchased one of these used after reading previous postings on this page. In the UK it coast me £199 in mint condition.
| | | | Senior Member Registered: December, 2012 Location: Kristiansand S Posts: 250 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: March 21, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $500.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Good performance in low light, good contrast, nice bokeh | Cons: | A litle hard to get used too | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 8
Bokeh: 10
Handling: 9
Value: 9
Camera Used: Pentax K-30
| | Nice lens when you get used to it. At first, i didn't get good pictures, but after a while i found out about it. It was a fun to use, got nice shots and the low light performance is excellent. The bokeh is wonderful, and with the nice ISO performance of Pentaxes, you got a lot of possibilities without flash. | | | | Veteran Member Registered: April, 2011 Location: Canberra, Australia Posts: 582 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: February 5, 2014 | Recommended | Price: $300.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Sharp, small | Cons: | A smidge heavy, long focus distance | Sharpness: 9
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| | This has really become my go-to lens. I'll always find a way to shoot with this lens before reaching for another.
It's beautifully sharp with stunning bokeh.
I just wish the focusing distance was a smidge closer to *really* use the 1.4 for DoF.
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: September, 2013 Posts: 306 | Review Date: September 22, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 9 |
Pros: | Very Sharp from f2.8, contrast is very high | Cons: | Focus problems, f1.4 not sharp | Sharpness: 8
Aberrations: 10
Bokeh: 6
Handling: 9
Value: 8
| | I love and hate this lens
| | | | Forum Member Registered: August, 2009 Location: NYC Posts: 51 1 user found this helpful | Review Date: January 20, 2013 | Recommended | Price: $349.00
| Rating: 7 |
Pros: | Fast, Affordable, Color rendition | Cons: | Expensive not on sale, aspherical aberration, coma | Sharpness: 7
Aberrations: 6
Bokeh: 8
Handling: 7
Value: 10
| | Takes time to apply this lens correctly. Focus is challenging. Aspherical aberration and coma are pronounced. Not 100% satisfied with build quality either. I think I might have been happier with the 28mm Macro $350 is a great price point
| | | | Veteran Member Registered: July, 2009 Location: Saffron Walden, Essex Posts: 362 | Review Date: March 20, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $450.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | Centre sharpness even when wide open, price, colours | Cons: | None | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 7
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 8
Value: 10
| | Fantastic fast lens for a reasonable price. Useful 'normal' focal length. Great for indoor people pictures.
Soft corners at wider apertures, but to be frank this lens isn't about sharp corners, it's all about the centre sharpness and tiny depth of field!
1:1 crop of picture taken at f1.4: | | | | Veteran Member Registered: November, 2009 Location: Brisbane Posts: 3,561 6 users found this helpful | Review Date: January 3, 2012 | Recommended | Price: $420.00
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | sharpness wide open, bokeh | Cons: | | Sharpness: 10
Aberrations: 9
Bokeh: 9
Handling: 7
Value: 9
| | Ive had this lens for over 6 months now.
This lens is sharp from wide open. There is something about this lens that gives a "3D" look to the images it produces, it renders subjects with great isolation making it perfect for portraits and shallow DOF photography. The extreme borders to lack abit but shooting at wide apertures they probably wont be in focus anyway!
It also has excellent flare control, prehaps even better than the Pentax DA15.
I choose this lens over the FA31 because I liked the way this lens renders images over the FA31 (which lacks the 3D isolation pop IMO)
Good review here comparing them both (Sigma beats it even in bokeh!)- http://translate.google.com.au/translate?sl=auto&tl=en&js=n&prev=_t&hl=en&ie...d.html&act=url
A few of my samples-
f/1.4
f/1.4
f/1.4
f/1.4
f/1.4 | | | | Junior Member Registered: March, 2011 Posts: 32 2 users found this helpful | Review Date: April 26, 2011 | Recommended | Price: None indicated
| Rating: 10 |
Pros: | image quality, speed, build quality | Cons: | size, no HSM | | I am a very happy owner of this lens. It is amazingly sharp at f/1.4 - search the net for 100% crops and you will see what I mean. Colors, contrast, speed, image quality by the truckload. It is perfect.
It is a little big and heavy, but the build quality is awesome.
I've read that the sharpness is concentrated at the center through all apertures, but at f/1.4 I'm guessing you'd have to be shooting brick walls to detect that sort of thing.
The newer version I have does not have the matte finish all over the barrel and is smooth plastic on the back half. My copy seems to be good and I have no focus issues (and I am pretty obsessive about that kind of thing).
| | | | Junior Member Registered: January, 2011 Location: adelaide Posts: 30 | Review Date: February 4, 2011 | Recommended | Price: $439.00
| Rating: N/A |
Pros: | sharp, quick focus, nice bokeh | Cons: | no hsm, no quick shift. this is the current specs from sigma | | pros:
sharp image. quick focus, nice bokeh.
cons
Misleading advertisement for Pentax ( also sony/ minolta) Neither HSM nor quick shift features offered as per Sigma spec but still carry the same price w/ Hsm.
Quick focus albeit louder screw drive compared the kit lens DAL 18-55.
Nevertheless, after owning this lens for a few days, it somehow grown on me.
Being a 'Learner' on dslr, this lens gave good results with ease.
sample pixs attached, taken on factory preset 'program' mode with flash. no touchups as i'm still learning.
would've scored 9-10, if it had the full spec. feature. https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/jk2011-albums-my-candid-shots-picture18072-ground-cvr.jpg https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/members/jk2011-albums-my-candid-shots-picture18073-ottinger-beer.html | | |