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

Any one recently got it from beach camera, let us know for any focus/sharpness issues. Just wondering,if we have a good batch to start with.

Quote from rustum : Any one recently got it from beach camera, let us know for any focus/sharpness issues. Just wondering,if we have a good batch to start with.

So I just got my packages delivered from Beach Camera. It seems reasonably well focused to me, although I'm not expert. I've seen at least 2 different focusing test used in this thread, as well as miscellaneous shots of things around people's homes. Is there something a test that you'd like me to try?

Btw, the focus seems ok to me, although the sharpness seems better at 1.8 than it did at 1.4 but I just got it so I'm trying not to jump to conclusions

Edit: Ok so I tried taking some photos using the tripod from Beach Camera and I think that it's front focusing? This was shot at f/1.4 and ISO 100, center auto-focus point only, on a tripod with a 2 second delay. I approximated the 45 degree angle by making the height of the sensor the same distance away as the horizontal distance to the focus point (which was 40 inches in this case) I'm using a XS which is an older camera but i don't think should affect the focus. I like the specs on the lens for the price but it has to focus correctly, so I'm thinking of sending the lens with the body to Sigma.

Quote from hou1960 : can we see some pics at 100% crop?

here you go. Not ideal lighting conditions btw

Quote from slickdealer215 : So I just got my packages delivered from Beach Camera. It seems reasonably well focused to me, although I'm not expert. I've seen at least 2 different focusing test used in this thread, as well as miscellaneous shots of things around people's homes. Is there something a test that you'd like me to try? Btw, the focus seems ok to me, although the sharpness seems better at 1.8 than it did at 1.4 but I just got it so I'm trying not to jump to conclusions Edit: Ok so I tried taking some photos using the tripod from Beach Camera and I think that it's front focusing? This was shot at f/1.4 and ISO 100, center auto-focus point only, on a tripod with a 2 second delay. I approximated the 45 degree angle by making the height of the sensor the same distance away as the horizontal distance to the focus point (which was 40 inches in this case) I'm using a XS which is an older camera but i don't think should affect the focus. I like the specs on the lens for the price but it has to focus correctly, so I'm thinking of sending the lens with the body to Sigma.

Yes, FF.

Quote from slickdealer215 : So I just got my packages delivered from Beach Camera. It seems reasonably well focused to me, although I'm not expert. I've seen at least 2 different focusing test used in this thread, as well as miscellaneous shots of things around people's homes. Is there something a test that you'd like me to try? Btw, the focus seems ok to me, although the sharpness seems better at 1.8 than it did at 1.4 but I just got it so I'm trying not to jump to conclusions Edit: Ok so I tried taking some photos using the tripod from Beach Camera and I think that it's front focusing? This was shot at f/1.4 and ISO 100, center auto-focus point only, on a tripod with a 2 second delay. I approximated the 45 degree angle by making the height of the sensor the same distance away as the horizontal distance to the focus point (which was 40 inches in this case) I'm using a XS which is an older camera but i don't think should affect the focus. I like the specs on the lens for the price but it has to focus correctly, so I'm thinking of sending the lens with the body to Sigma.

Do we need to send body also. You can try sending just lens and tell them body name.

I have a Canon T2i. When I got this lens, I thought it was soft but I was wrong.

After reading this thread, I also performed some focus tests and noticed an obvious front focus issue. Initially I thought it was a lens problem (I almost returned it!), but then I repeated the test with my two other lenses (Tamron 18-250mm and Canon 1.8 50mm) and I got the same front focus result. After this point, I thought the T2i was the culprit, and I was right ...

The explanations on this link helped me a lot understanding the problem: http://www.photoforum.com/forum/p...-help.html.
Basically, the T2i has two alternative focus methods:
- Phase detection: this method is used when you take a picture looking through the visor (the reflex way). Focus is fast, but this method requires good calibration. Unfortunately, the only modern Canon model with focus micro-adjustment is the 7d (too expensive for a casual photographer like me)
- Contrast detection: this method is used when you take a picture looking through the LCD (T2i's "live view" mode), and it is the same method used by any point&shot camera. This method is very accurate, but slow.

I repeated the focus tests using "live view" mode and the front focus issue disappeared. I also took a few random shots in live view mode and they all were nice (not soft at all).
So, the problem is not my lens (at least my copy), the problem is that my camera's "phase detection" focus system is not properly calibrated.

After additional reading, this appears to be a very common issue with people buying a 1.4 lens: the depth of field is so small ("paper thin" as they say) that it will expose any camera focusing inaccuracy.

I am not planning to send the camera to Canon for calibration (not cheap, I would rather use that money to buy a better camera), but this is not the end of the world - I still have the following options:
1/ Not a big problem when using my Tamron 18-250mm as it can only go as low a 3.5 (and I use this lens 99% of the time)
2/ When using my better/boring prime lenses, I will use live view mode. It's OK as I don't use those lenses very often ..
3/ Manual focus (I already use it some times for some very especial shots)

ANyone here with 60D having issues? I haven't received mine yet so do not know what to expect?. I hope i get good one to avoid all these issue.

TIA

Quote from slickdealer215 : So I just got my packages delivered from Beach Camera. It seems reasonably well focused to me, although I'm not expert. I've seen at least 2 different focusing test used in this thread, as well as miscellaneous shots of things around people's homes. Is there something a test that you'd like me to try? Btw, the focus seems ok to me, although the sharpness seems better at 1.8 than it did at 1.4 but I just got it so I'm trying not to jump to conclusions Edit: Ok so I tried taking some photos using the tripod from Beach Camera and I think that it's front focusing? This was shot at f/1.4 and ISO 100, center auto-focus point only, on a tripod with a 2 second delay. I approximated the 45 degree angle by making the height of the sensor the same distance away as the horizontal distance to the focus point (which was 40 inches in this case) I'm using a XS which is an older camera but i don't think should affect the focus. I like the specs on the lens for the price but it has to focus correctly, so I'm thinking of sending the lens with the body to Sigma.

Thanks for the update. I am going just take pictures. As long as they look fine, I am going to keep it. I am not going to worry about focus issues with 4 years warranty. I am really not sure how reliable are these focus tests in terms of following exact specifications.

Quote from Mazingerz : I have a Canon T2i. When I got this lens, I thought it was soft but I was wrong. The explanations on this link helped me a lot understanding the problem: http://www.photoforum.com/forum/p...-help.html. )

Thanks for that link. A very useful and easy to understand explanation.

Along with Camera, beach camera sent me invoice, warranty sticker, limited warranty letter and instructions. According to sticker page, we need to remove and paste the sticker on limited warranty page which talks about 1 year warranty. There is no mention of extra 3 years warranty. Any one received different docucmentaion with this lens.

Quote from rustum : Along with Camera, beach camera sent me invoice, warranty sticker, limited warranty letter and instructions. According to sticker page, we need to remove and paste the sticker on limited warranty page which talks about 1 year warranty. There is no mention of extra 3 years warranty. Any one received different docucmentaion with this lens.

i think if you register with sigma online it'll say you're covered with the +3 year warranty for EX lenses?

I just got this lens. Is the noise it makes during live view focusing normal? Seems pretty loud.

Quote from mc4nam : I just got this lens. Is the noise it makes during live view focusing normal? Seems pretty loud.

I tested my lens using live view during low light. It is very loud. Lens make grinding / clicking noise during the final step of focus confirmation with live view for few seconds. I am really not sure if it is a designed behavior. I am going try during day light and see how it goes.

I just got my copy from B & H on Friday. I have just taken several shots with the lens, and the IQ is really good/sharp at f/1.4. It is lovely that I can take pics with high IQ at low light.

The problem I have with the lens is it doesn't sound smoothly when moving in AF mode. The lens is HSM, which is supposed to be quiet when focusing. I like the lens, but I am not sure about the little annoying click-click sound. Will it go away after a while? Or will it get worse later? Anyone has experienced the same, please command. Any feedbacks will be appreciated.