Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM Autofocus Lens: Canon or Nikon $285, Sony or Sigma $289 + Free Shipping

Quote from gabe23111 : Wow... this seems like an awesome price. Selling for $400+ on Amazon [amazon.com]. Maybe someone can help me out... I'm just getting in to DSLR's and trying to get useful lenses for myself. I have the Nikon D5100. I already bought the 35mm f/1.8G [adorama.com]. The retail cost on the lens in this OP is double the price. Being that I already have the 35mm should I still jump on this? I know it's probably not going to get much cheaper then this price but I'm trying to figure out if having both lenses would be somewhat redundant. If I didn't already have the 35mm I wouldn't even ask this question. I would definitely jump on this. TIA to anyone that can help a n00b out. Excellent find OP. Repped!

Depends on your priorities. The Nikon 35mm is better for sharpness and AF accuracy. At max apertures the Sigma lets in 66% more light and has smoother background blur, and a slightly more usable length IMO. Normally I'd recommend the Nikon, but with the Sigma at this price it's a tough call. I personally would not have both because they are redundant.

For Canon crop users this lens is a no-brainer.

Quote from mushinjitsu : Thanks for the great deal! Just a quick question, could any one please recommend B&H or Adorama for this item? I mean in terms of service and everything else in case I need to return or exchange. Many thanks!

I've had great experiences with both. They both get my vote.

Fantastic price! I'd buy another if I still shot crop!

Quote from stylez0 : So tempted, but just got the Sigma 50 f1.4. Not sure if it makes sense to get both. Great price though.

if you have a cropped sensor then get this, otherwise no reason at all to spend on this.... the 50mm on a cropped sensor is terrible to take photos inside the house at a party or something. just last week, i was taking pictures of a friend's kid with the 50mm and a cropped body and it was a terrible experience

Quote from mushinjitsu : Thanks for the great deal! Just a quick question, could any one please recommend B&H or Adorama for this item? I mean in terms of service and everything else in case I need to return or exchange. Many thanks!

Can't speak for B&H (but they are highly reputable), but I've bought several items from Adorama and had nothing but excellent service. You probably can't go wrong with either one.

Quote from mushinjitsu : Thanks for the great deal! Just a quick question, could any one please recommend B&H or Adorama for this item? I mean in terms of service and everything else in case I need to return or exchange. Many thanks!

B&H doesn't charge tax to NJ residents, so its win for me. also, if you need to return something, adorama will always charge you the original shipping fee in addition to you spending on shipping on the return. I don't think b&h does that although I would double check. having said that I've ordered from both in the past (adorama only because b&h didn't have that particular item in stock)

Man this is a killer deal! Front page please!

Love this lens, Had it for over a year now.

Bought it from uniquephoto @369

Quote from phaedrus441 : I hate to be "this guy," but do we think Amazon will match this price?

I think, but I may be wrong, that with equipment like this, instant rebates are promotions initiated by the manufacturer. That said, when these occur, they usually trickle through their key selling portals: Adorama, B&H, and oftentimes, Amazon. We saw it with the Canon promotions over the past few months.

So, there may be hope for Amazon if that's a factor for anyone. Not guaranteed, though.

Quote from minghi : B&H doesn't charge tax to NJ residents, so its win for me. also, if you need to return something, adorama will always charge you the original shipping fee in addition to you spending on shipping on the return. I don't think b&h does that although I would double check. having said that I've ordered from both in the past (adorama only because b&h didn't have that particular item in stock)

That's true - I forgot about that. I did have to pay return shipping and get credited less original shipping - it was like $15 both ways, so lost out on $30 on a return.

Quote from mushinjitsu : Thanks for the great deal! Just a quick question, could any one please recommend B&H or Adorama for this item? I mean in terms of service and everything else in case I need to return or exchange. Many thanks!

B&H, for better customer service. Either is fine if you absolutely plan on keeping the lens.

Killer deal for Canon shooters. Decent deal for Nikon shooters, but the Nikon 35mm f/1.8 is also very good.

Just be aware that Sigma announced a revision of this lens, which is likely the reason for the steep discount. The new one may be worlds better, but I can't see how as this version is extremely good.

Sigma just announced a new 30mm f/1.4, which is why these are on fire sale.

Quote from CptObvious : Depends on your priorities. The Nikon 35mm is better for sharpness and AF accuracy. At max apertures the Sigma lets in 66% more light and has smoother background blur, and a slightly more usable length IMO. Normally I'd recommend the Nikon, but with the Sigma at this price it's a tough call. I personally would not have both because they are redundant.

I own the Nikon 35mm and Sigma 50mm. The Sigma misses focus all the time, so it's more annoying to use than the Nikon, but the images are wonderful when it works.

I probably wouldn't use both Nikon 35 and Sigma 30, but if you wanted to replace the Nikon with the Sigma, that's not a bad way to go.

It's probably this price because a new model is being released:

http://www.the-digital-picture.co...?News=4080

"With new optical configurations of nine elements in eight groups, as well as rounded aperture blades, this updated lens delivers pleasing sharpness and a beautiful bokeh background. Its minimum focusing distance is 11.8 inches and its maximum magnification ratio is 1:6.8. The lens’ optimized power distribution helps to minimize field curvature, prevent a loss of image quality at the edges of photographs and produce outstanding image quality. Its double-aspheric lens minimizes spherical distortion, astigmatism and coma, and its rear focus system prevents focus-dependent variation in aberration. Together, the new optimized auto focus (AF) algorithm and rear focusing system ensure smooth and accurate focusing. The new 30mm f/1.4 is also compatible with Sigma’s new USB Dock, which will enable firmware updates and focusing adjustments, is expected to be available in coming months."

this is a wonderful lens. 30mm on a crop sensor works out SOOOOO good.

Quote from minghi : if you have a cropped sensor then get this, otherwise no reason at all to spend on this.... the 50mm on a cropped sensor is terrible to take photos inside the house at a party or something. just last week, i was taking pictures of a friend's kid with the 50mm and a cropped body and it was a terrible experience

Any comments on this versus the Canon 40mm F/2.8?