Fast Prime - Canon 50 1.4 or Sigma 30 1.4

[jonnypb]

Looking to get a fast prime to go on a 40D. Mainly for taking portrait shots and indoor photos of my kids.

Was set on the Canon but a few people have recommended the Sigma. I've been reading review sites they seem to favour the canon and there seems to be quite a few sigma quality control issues

Which one would people go for and which one is the sharpest wide open between 1.4-2?

Thanks

[Holowlegs]

Hello there

This is a tough one and a decision I would have to face in the future as well. But for now going to suggest you add another lens to the list the Canon EF 85mm f/1.8.

Also Sigma are coming out with there own 50mm 1.4 so I have been waiting for reviews off that.


Cheers Holo

[Paulie-W]

From what i remember reading the 30mm isn`t so good for canons.

[Liquid101]

Originally Posted by Paulie-W

From what i remember reading the 30mm isn`t so good for canons.

And a little on the wide side for flattering portraits. I'd look at the 50mm and as Holo suggests, the 85mm

[RobDickinson]

Originally Posted by Paulie-W

From what i remember reading the 30mm isn`t so good for canons.

Uh Tons of people love it on the canon! Hasnt got the highest corner sharpness but center (where you realy want it) is spot on.


Also sigma's 50 f1.4 is HSM , the first decent focus motor on a 50/1.4, its also going to be an aspherical design, again a first, it could turn out tobe a stunning lens.

To the OP, IMO decide what focal length you want, IMO for indoor & portrait 50-85 is the biz.

[onefivenine]

For portrait and indoor? Get the 50mm. I don't really think this is a comparison.
I'd consider the 30mm more a landscape lens.
The 30mm is probably softer at the edges compared to the 50mm, more from a design/build feature than being 'better' at being sharp where it counts.
Photozone gave the 30mm 2/5 for optical quality and did comment on its performance at the edges. (4/5 for the Canon).

[jonnypb]

Originally Posted by RobDickinson

Also sigma's 50 f1.4 is HSM , the first decent focus motor on a 50/1.4, its also going to be an aspherical design, again a first, it could turn out tobe a stunning lens.

i had a look at the sigma 50 1.4 earlier but there doesn't seem to be any release date yet and early indications show it's going to cost around £250 which is £75 more than the canon

[BananaTiger]

I have the 85 f1.8 for my 40d. I love this lens but I do find that you do have to step quite a fair way back, and I've been contemplating the 50 f1.4 too. Haven't considered the Sigma 30 f1.4 but after trying the canon 35 f1.4, it's certainly something I might have a proper look at.

Anyway, I've heard that the holy trinity of prime lenses is the 35L, 85L and 135L. Does anyone know if this is for full frame or cropped bodies. If it's full frame, the I guess the cropped equivalent is 24L, 50L and 85L? If so, the maybe the 50 f1.4 is your best shot :-)

[ghibbett]

Originally Posted by onefivenine

For portrait and indoor? Get the 50mm. I don't really think this is a comparison.

100% agree

[stevegreen]

Originally Posted by Paulie-W

From what i remember reading the 30mm isn`t so good for canons.

I'd be interested to see where it says that. I had one for my 350D and it was super sharp, fast to focus with the HSM and supoerb build quality.

I sold my 50mm f/1.8 to get the 30mm as I found that 50mm on a crop body was too long for my personal use, the 30mm on the crop was just about perfect in my eyes. The Sigma is generally regarded to be sharper wide open than the Canon but it really depends on what focal length suits you better, in my case it was 30mm for the crop.

Personally I am looking forward to the release of the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 which will suit my 5D full frame beautifully.

[ksten]

I have been very pleased with my 50mm 1.4 - it is a lens that I love to use for taking portraits of individuals. I am considering the 85mm 1.8 at some point in the future though to give me a bit more working room.

For group shots in small rooms I decided to get the 30mm 1.4. This is my first Sigma lens and I did find that it was front focussing by a few cm on my 30D which bothered me when working at the minimum focus distance as the DOF is so small. Anyway, I returned it to Sigma for recalibration and it is now perfrect so I'm looking forward to putting it to more use.

For portraiture I'd be inclined to go for the 50mm out of the two.

Cheers.