The focusing system on the 19/2.8 was very quick, at least the m4/3 version is. There's a delay on startup for some reason, but that's the only way that these lenses are slow in operation. The 19/2.8 is also very sharp. They're both very good deals at $200.
The quality of the old 19mm is not bad especially if you got it when it was $100. I bought mine when it was $149 and I'm happy with the lens.
I read many people like the optical quality of the old 30mm 1.4 APS-C lens but the material was not good and peeled easily. Sigma's newer models don't use the same material anymore. If they improve the material, the AF, plus 35mm 1.4 Art optical design quality, then it will be another winner.
HopeIsEternal wrote:
Did anyone notice that Sigma is not supporting Sony/Minolta A-mount for the new 30mm f/1.4 crop lens? Also the new 35mm f/1.4 FF lens is out for Canon and Nikon but not for Sony/Minolta.
Tokina doesn't release new lenses for Sony either. I remember talking to a Tokina salesperson at an expo event and was set aback by his dismissal of support for A-mount. He talked as if the mount was already history.
Do these lens makers know something about Sony's A-mount plans more than we do?
I doubt they know anything about the future, but what they can know with certainty is their own sales figures. At the moment (tight now), and for a 5-year history.
If they see that they're losing money on even bothering with engineering, marketing and adding separate stock items for an alternative A-mount version of their lenses (due to insufficient demand) of course they'll stop doing it.
vsg28 wrote:
This is meant for APS-C cameras which are not renowned for high iso shooting, hence a good f/1.4 lens is definitely worth $200 more than any f/2.8 lens in my opinion.
I don't know how old is the camera you are using. In the past two years
Nikon and Canon have brought good cameras that are equal to or more
sensitive than ISO 3200. I have a six years old Nikon D50 with
maximum ISO of 1600. I would consider the lens, only if the optics are
really fantastic!
Jman13 wrote:
To be more specific, Sigma has seriously stepped up their game in the past 5-8 years. Many of their recent lenses are as good and in some cases, better, than their CaNikon equivalents. The 30/1.4 is an outstanding lens, and the 19/2.8, while slow, is also very good, especially for the price. But their powerhouse lens designs are their FF primes, and they've been making some really great glass in the past few years. All their macro lenses are phenomenal, especially the 150mm f/2.8, which is just blisteringly sharp and has beautiful bokeh. The 85/1.4 is touted by many to be nearly as good as the Canon 85/1.2L, and the recent 35mm f/1.4 looks like it's better than both the Canon and Nikon 35/1.4s. Their 50/1.4 is beautiful too (though huge). ...Show more →
Looking at the measurements on Photozone it seems like the Sigma 19/2.8 has fantastic central sharpness but the edges and corners leave a bit to be desired.
I don't know how old is the camera you are using. In the past two years
Nikon and Canon have brought good cameras that are equal to or more
sensitive than ISO 3200. I have a six years old Nikon D50 with
maximum ISO of 1600. I would consider the lens, only if the optics are
really fantastic!
Kind regards,
igmolinav : ) !!!
My Canon 7D has a maximum ISO of 12,800 but that does not mean I will shoot at 12,800 ISO. Firstly, the noise level in the images is very high at such ISO levels and secondly, the overall IQ takes a big hit at high ISO for crop sensor cameras. This is why I insist that $200 is very much worth for an f/1.4 lens vs f/2.8
I think a lens like the Sigma 35/1.4 doesn't make much sense on a crop camera, especially a 1.6x crop. So much of the effort of designing such a lens goes into making the corners behave well wide open, and you won't get any of that benefit. The size and the weight will be felt every time you use it. My vote would go for the first pair you mentioned, although given more free room to suggest, I might suggest looking at a tidy but used 5DII. I don't know what you photograph, but I think that this may well give a more satisfying total experience. Alternatively there are mirrorless systems like the Fuji X or NEX. At this time I don't see the attraction to the Canon crop system. Whatever the draw is, there is something better, with very few exceptions.
I think a lens like the Sigma 35/1.4 doesn't make much sense on a crop camera, especially a 1.6x crop. So much of the effort of designing such a lens goes into making the corners behave well wide open, and you won't get any of that benefit. The size and the weight will be felt every time you use it. My vote would go for the first pair you mentioned, although given more free room to suggest, I might suggest looking at a tidy but used 5DII. I don't know what you photograph, but I think that this may well give a more satisfying total experience. Alternatively there are mirrorless systems like the Fuji X or NEX. At this time I don't see the attraction to the Canon crop system. Whatever the draw is, there is something better, with very few exceptions....Show more →
Thanks for the advice! Don't have the ability to get a used 5DII at this time. Have to stick with crop for the time being. For what its worth, the 30-35mm range works well for me with portraits on the crop camera..
Amazing results, truly. As I am planning to use the NEX 6 as the 'travel with me everywhere, including the car' body, these two lenses really look 'made in heaven' for it.
Bargain of the century? I will be getting both. And do any of you see Roger Cialis's (of Lens Rental renown) review?
I can't find it right now (have written to LensRental for the link) but he really like the 30 which performed outstandingly, resolution-wise.
yeah, i got that deal and have been happy with both those lenses though i don't use them much due to my aversion to AF. definitely one of the highest optical performance per cost deals i've seen.
y2nicco wrote:
Thanks for the advice! Don't have the ability to get a used 5DII at this time. Have to stick with crop for the time being. For what its worth, the 30-35mm range works well for me with portraits on the crop camera..
Well, if you are planning to stay with crop, then my recommendation of the two lenses stands. However, if you think that you want to move to FF in the long run, then the Sigma 35 could make sense. It is a superior lens on FF.
