Sigma Announces New 30mm f/1.4 for APS-C

[verysimplejason]

I still like my 28mm F1.8 better than this because it is an FF lens.  My only gripe is its chromatic aberration @ F1.8 though it is easily corrected in the post. 

Oh and what I really need is a cheap 18mm or 20mm with optics comparable to that of the 24mm IS USM.  It would be my choice UWA when I stepped up to an FF camera.

[mbpics]

Great news! I loved my Sigma 30 when I shot crop; I've since moved to full frame (Nikon, GASP), but I still remember that lens very fondly.

I'm curious to see if it's dramatically improved over the first version. I thought that lens was quite nice for the price, but it would be really cool if they put in some of what they've learned from the 35/1.4.

[Grummbeerbauer]

I have the current Sigma 30 1.4. Bokeh is nice, however, it is a bit "dreamy" wide open, but gets quite sharp in the center at around f1.8. What bugs me the most though, and is the reason why I don't use it that much is the crappy AF... its more like a lottery.
When Sigma announced the FF 35 1.4, and everyone started raving about the great IQ and AF accuracy,
I decided for me that I will sell the 30mm on medium-term and get the 35 once the latter's price goes down a bit more. While this would probably cost me ~500€, it would hopefully give me a lens that I actually use and at the same time make my lens collection just a bit more FF capable, in case I ever pick up a 5DIII, 6D etc.

Now Sigma announces the revised APS-C-only 30mm... aside from fearing for the resale value of my old sample (which probably ain't too great anyway  , but which I hoped would ease the pain of buying the 35mm at least somewhat), I think I will still stick with my original plan: Unless the new 30mm turns out to be at least as good or even better than the 35 regarding both AF and IQ and is significantly cheaper, I see no reason to not go for the 35.
What do you think?

[dasgetier]

I am in the exact same position as you are, this announcement puts a bit pressure on me to sell the "old" 30mm faster..

I do not think the 30mm will best the 35mm, and will get the 35mm to be able to do a FF step up hopefully in the next 2 years.

If only that price would come down a bit..

[jebrady03]

Unless the new 30mm turns out to be at least as good or even better than the 35 regarding both AF and IQ and is significantly cheaper, I see no reason to not go for the 35.
What do you think?

Well, the 30mm is about 2/3 the length and weight of the 35.  So if that's important to you (in either direction), that could be a factor if all else is equal.

[MK5GTI]

Someone needs to start a SigmaRumors site so I can rant about them being slow to offer more FF lenses in the Art line. An APS-C and three for mirrorless! How dare they! I have & love the new 35, and am waiting with bated breath (whatever that means) for a 24 and an 85. I guess I'll just have to bitch here for now...

I have been hoping for a SigmaRumors site as well, or maybe combine with other aftermarket manufactures, Tamron, Tokina, etc, Admin, you've got source on these brand? 

I sure hope the 85/1.4 is next.

Same here, tempted to buy their 85mm since release, but if they have the Art series update with the USB dock capability, then i will buy one for sure!

[bvukich]

Someone needs to start a SigmaRumors site so I can rant about them being slow to offer more FF lenses in the Art line. An APS-C and three for mirrorless! How dare they! I have & love the new 35, and am waiting with bated breath (whatever that means) for a 24 and an 85. I guess I'll just have to bitch here for now...

I have been hoping for a SigmaRumors site as well, or maybe combine with other aftermarket manufactures, Tamron, Tokina, etc, Admin, you've got source on these brand? 

I sure hope the 85/1.4 is next.

Same here, tempted to buy their 85mm since release, but if they have the Art series update with the USB dock capability, then i will buy one for sure!

Optical quality on the higher end Sigmas has been great lately, my only reservation has been the AF.  The USB dock greatly alleviates that concern.  I'm sure there will still always be duds that come out of the factory, but given that (if I understand correctly) every ART series lens is QCd individually, and now we have a way to calibrate the AF ourselves, the ratio of good to bad copies should swing greatly towards the "good" side.

[paul13walnut5]

My copy is in getting calibrated just now, fine in mf for video, af horrific.  .+18 mfa on my 7d and not worth mounting on the t3i, for stills anyway.

Hopefully come back working, or I'll be going down the canon 35mm f2.0 route.

[Zv]

Certainly a step in the right direction for Sigma. That 30 needed an update. I'm still in need of a 35 or there abouts full frame compatibile lens and still thinking about the new f/2 IS vs the Siggy f/1.4 , though if this new 30 might be nice on my 7D. Hmmm 

[paul13walnut5]

.
One more brick to strengthen that APS-C wall.

I thought the new Sigmas were supposed to be ok on DSLRs 

[BRNexus6]

Hopefully the price isn't higher than $600.

[knoljo]

This lens is available at B&H for preorder with a price of $499 which seems in line with what some of you expected/hoped for, so what do you think?

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/918894-REG/sigma_30mm_f_1_4_dc_hsm.html

[The_Arsonist]

If it's even close to being as good as the new 35mm from Sigma, I'll buy it in a heartbeat. I've tried to live with Canon's 28 1.8, but something is just not right with that lens. It's either soft, has inconsistent focus, or just has strange aberrations that make it useless for me. I usually live at F/2, so hopefully this new Sigma gets nice stopped down to there.

[BRNexus6]

Very nice price. Definitely a must buy for APS-C users if the IQ is decent.