This large aperture 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM lens is designed to match the APS-C size image sensors of digital SLR cameras. Two SLD glass elements are especially effective in the compensation of magnification chromatic aberration. Glass mold aspherical lens at rear group of lens reduces color aberration and provides high-quality image results. From 40cm (15.7") minimum focusing distance to infinity, this lens creates very sharp images with high contrast. The HSM models provide quiet high-speed auto-focus shooting, as well as full-time manual focus. Large Maximum Aperture of F1.4 can perform superbly in a great range of applications, including snapshots, portraiture, indoor shooting and landscape photography.

Technical Details

-Lens Construction: 7 Elements in 7 Groups
-Angle of View: 45 degrees (SD format)
-Minimum Aperture: F16
-Minimum Focusing Distance: 40cm / 15.7 inches
-Filter Size Diameter: 62mm
See more technical details

 "Good lens, slightly overhyped?" 2010-07-26
By Ana_y_lat (Houston, TX)
I was looking to buy a lens in this focal range, and eventually it came down to the choice between this lens, Canon 28mm 1.8 and Canon 35mm (not the L one, obviously). I decided against 35mm due to its bokeh and the lack of USM, and ordered Canon 28 and Sigma 30 to test. I got both lens "used as new", Sigma - from Amazon. I don't know if it was sheer lack, or the fact that my lens was used (and therefore calibrated by previous owner), but I did not experience any front or back focus issues with Sigma that a lot of other users report.
However, I've heard so many people say that Sigma 30 is SO SUPERIOR to Canon 28, that I was expected to notice a huge difference. Yes, I would say that Sigma 30 is slightly better than Canon - the bokeh is slightly smoother, and the focus seemed slightly sharper. But the lenses are very very comparable, and both became easily overcome by the bright light (got more washed out skies with both of these than with my Canon 85mm).

In the end, I decided to keep Canon. Sigma's advantage was so minimal, that I just could not justify keeping it, given that it's for crop-cameras only. Not that I plan to get a FF camera any time very soon, but I love my primes, and when I do get a FF, I will likely not have the budget for L-grade primes for a very very long time, so I like to invest in lenses that will last me a while, and not until I upgrade (especially when they are the same price, almost to the dollar).


 "FANTASTIC.. if you can get a good "copy"." 2010-07-21
By MiRSD
I've had this lens for a few months now and LOVE IT. I've always stuck with the Canon-branded lenses and have a little over half a dozen (the 70-200L, 28-135, 18-55 (IS and Non-IS), 50mm 1.8, 85mm 1.8) and have been a bit disappointed with all but the higher-end ones (like the 70-200L). I've also heard very mixed reviews about the 3rd-party lenses like Sigma and Tamron, but decided to give it a chance (the Canons around this range - the 28mm and 35mm - don't rate so high, whereas this one did)

Right off the bat - it's not entirely cheap, especially considering its a 3rd-party lens and for digital-only (EF-S cameras, meaning no full frame of 1.3x crop cameras).

One nice change compared to Canon though, is that it includes a hood and carrying case (something Canon only includes with their L series lenses).

I bought this as a wide(r)-angle lens compared to the 50mm and 85mm - sometimes they're just too much of a reach on a crop-sensor camera sometimes.

The 30mm works very nice on compatible cameras - it's very sharp and has that wonderful 1.4 aperture for those low-light or short depth of field shots, and that's where the lens really shines. For sharp shots you'll probably find yourself using 2.2 or higher (although 1.4 is definitely usable and I find myself using it all the time to get that cool look it produces). I've been a photographer for years and some of my best shots have been from this lens - it gives me a look that just isn't possible on any of my other lenses (either because they're too much (50mm), or the aperture is too slow (18-55 / 28-135). For that, it made the lens totally worth it. If you can find a good copy.

Now, the problem with Sigma and Tamron is that the lenses can be very hit or miss.. not just in whether a particular lens is good, but if the one you end up with is a good match with your camera. You can buy 5 of these lenses and each one might be different - one might focus perfectly, one might focus behind the subject, some might focus in front of it. At f/8 it's not much of an issue, but at f/1.4, if it focuses half an inch in front of your subject you're out of luck (as at that depth of field, your subject is out of focus). It's not only a matter of getting a "good one", as you might have different results on different cameras. If you can get a good one, you'll love this lens.

My only gripe (besides the big one above of "hoping it works"), are that it's "Digital Only" (EF-S), so it won't work on a camera like a 5D II. Image Stabilizer would have been awesome as well, but you're already getting an f/1.4 lens (and the IS would drive up the price).

Build quality is solid. It doesn't feel like a cheap plastic lens. Image quality is fantastic (I haven't noticed any distortions either). I love the lens and can highly recommend it.


 "My Go to Lens" 2010-07-21
By Aron Chaudiere
I have had this lens for a while and decided to finally make a review. I have to say the build quality of it is amazing. As soon as you take it out of the box you feel that it has a sort of flat black fuzz on the plastic that keeps it from ever looking greasy from hand oils. Also unlike Canon lenses Sigmas come with a glare guard and a small canvas zipper case. I don't use the case granted but if you ever sell the lens it is nice to have. Anyway have a lens with this wide of an aperture is indispensable. Once you get anything below a 3.5 you don't go back. I had this lens, my kit 18-55mm f3.5 and the canon 75-300mm f4-5.6. I can say that I used this lens almost 80% of the time that I shot. Also you fall in love with prime lenses because of the sharpness you can get for the money. Long story short if your like me and you were considering the Canon "nifty fifty" or 50mm 1.8 but have extra cash to spend on a lens, get this one instead you will be very happy you did. I swear by Sigma and have had no problems with this lens.


 "good lens" 2010-07-09
By Jonnel Constantino (New York, New York United States)
the edges are indeed soft (even if focus is on the edges prior to recomposing). however, as an amateur photographer, I am happy with the quality of this lens, especially in indoor pictures when I photograph children. I think this lens will stay on my pentax kx as the default lens


 "The perfect movie lens for the emerging filmmaker." 2010-07-04
By StudentFilmmaker
The Sigma 30mm 1.4f is the lens that hits the sweet spot on focal length, aperture and price. This lens was made to fit a cropped sensor like the Canon T2i (550d) Digital SLR body. The cropped sensor is 1.6x, so 30mm x 1.6 = 48mm equivalent on a full frame 35mm sensor like the Canon 5D Mark II. Because 48mm is very close to the natural focal length of the human eye (50mm) it is the perfect lens that is easy to work with on film and stills.

I was looking for a movie lens for my Canon T2i that would have a nice wide aperture for incredible depth-of-field that cinema cameras have. I was really going for the Canon 1.4f or the 1.8f 50mm lens because of the popularity and the price. However, I soon discovered that these lenses were made almost 20 years ago, and were made for full frame sensors. If I put a 50mm lens on my T2i, it would become an 80mm lens. This bothered me because I would have to move the camera farther away from the actors and would result in lower sound quality. Also, because cinematic movies are cropped again, it's best to give your subject lots of free space around the frame because their head might get cut off.

After researching videos on YouTube and [...]and some other lens review sites, I found that the Sigma 30mm was the lens I was looking for. Although it was not in my price range and more expensive than the Canon 50mm 1.4 lens, I wanted a lens that I wouldn't have to upgrade to get that perfect human eye focal length, and also because of the crop factor. The Sigma lens was introduced into the market half a decade ago because no lens manufacturer had really filled this niche for DSLRs with a cropped sensor. Canon has lens that are 28mm and 35mm, but are quite expensive, considering that they were L (luxury) series lenses. This lens was the best bang for the buck.

As an emerging filmmaker, I wanted to upgrade from my kit lens which was the Canon 18-55mm 3.5/5.6f lens. I knew that most people would complement this lens with a telephoto zoom lens for less than $200, but what will that benefit me for filmmaking? Also, most lenses out there are zoom lenses. However, zoom lenses have higher apertures, and won't really give me a good DOF. That is why I just went for a prime lens instead of a zoom lens.

In filmmaking, light is always a problem especially for low-budget films. However, this lens will just "gobble light up". You don't have to sacrifice ISO and slow shutter speeds anymore with this wide aperture lens.

Now if you are going to get this lens, here are some things I discovered:

Auto Focus - It's a problem that plagues all lenses that have a wide aperture because the DOF is super shallow, and the camera will have a hard time to discern what it should focus on. If you want a sharper image, you can stop down to 2.0 and will be much more adequate for shaper photos. If you are using this lens for video, you won't really notice how sharp it is. However, if you really want a super sharp photo, this lens won't be what you are looking for.

Full-time Auto Focus - You can override auto focus if you decide to focus on something else without switch the mode to manual.

It's not a kit lens - It is professional lens (EX) that is completely made metal and glass. On my T2i (which is a plastic body), you can feel the difference in weight!

It comes with a case and a lens hood! Make sure you get a UV lens filter. I got the Sunpak 62mm UV Filter. It's cheap but durable.

If you haven't upgraded your audio, you should look for the RODE Shotgun VideoMic (which is Mono) or the RODE Stereo VideoMic SVM. These microphones by RODE are professional quality mics that are specifically made for camcorders and DSLRs that capture film. Both of them have a hotshoe mount and use the 3.5mm audio minijack that can plug into your DSLR's mic in. However, if you want to use professional equipment that uses XLR jacks, you will need to get an audio recorder like the ZOOM H4N.

Hope that helps! Thanks for reading!


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