The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM A is a wide-aperture standard lens for APS-C cameras

F/1.4 maximum aperture; Excellent MTF results; Full-time MF option; Near-silent AF; Metal mounting flange

Significant barrel distortion; Some colour fringing; No image stabilisation

Originally published October 2005. WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW: The first high-speed "normal" lens for digital SLRs with APS-sized sensors, this 30mm f/1.4 is Sigma's first nontele lens to incorporate elements of SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass.

Sigma 30mmf/1.4 EX DC HSM is currently the only non fish-eye fixed focal lens in Sigma's arsenal that was designed from grounds up for APS-C type cameras. The lens has a reduced imaging circle and while it can in theory be mounted on a full-frame of APS-H type cameras, the lens will vignette...

It seems the primary design priority for the Sigma AF 30mm f/1.4 EX DC was to achieve the highest possible center resolution without caring too much about the rest. The border performance of the lens is just so-so at f/1.4 and only good when stopped down.

Sigma's 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM is a useful prime lens for the D-SLR owner with a cropped format APS-C type sensor. Essentially it takes on the role of prime standard lens, effectively offering 45mm (1.5x), 48mm (1.6x) or 60mm (2x) - depending on which camera you use it with.

Yes, I would recommend this to a friend

Great solid heavy build; Nice Bokeh; Smooth and weighted focus

Corner Sharpness

There is really no beating a prime lens for low light photography. Even the fastest zoom lenses are never faster than F2.8 (aside from the two very impressive and very expensive Pro level zooms from Olympus that are F2.0) and such, the best bet for dim rooms and night shots is a real quick prime...

First and foremost, the headline feature of this lens is the exceptionally fast 1.4 aperture; Wide open you will be able to shoot with shutter speeds 4 times faster than even the quick zoom lenses with their 2.8 apertures, The image quality is very good all things considered.

As expected, the lens is a bit soft wide open, the problem is really only apparent however towards the edges; It is however well within acceptable tolerances, The focus on my example back focused by a few millimeters at a distance of about a foot and a half.

This is one of my favorite lenses!! I love how fast the lens is and how close you can get to things. The images are amazing!!

I wasn't even looking for a new lens when I stumbled on a review of this one while enjoying my Canon

Great build quality; perfect focus; fast and quiet

There isn't a 20mm 1.4 at the same price level

Some may use it for landscape shots due to the slightly wide angle aspect to it, although having said that I think it is aimed at indoor shooting where there is an inadequate amount of lighting due to the very bright aperture. It's one of Sigma's DC range of lenses.

indoor shooting where there is an inadequate amount of lighting due to the very bright aperture

funky with depth of field