It also means that very low-light images can be achieved handheld, especially when partnered with the camera's superior in-body image stabilization. However, I did find minimal fringing around the edges of out-of-focus areas.Įven shooting into the sun, the lens flaring was well controlled, and the aperture blades gave a pleasant starburst effect.Ī maximum aperture of f/1.4 means that one can achieve, purposefully or accidentally, a narrow field of focus. Even zooming in to 100% and switching off the lens profile in the software, the in-focus edges were clean. Often, with third-party lenses, especially those at the affordable end of the market, there is some sign of purple or green fringing around edges. I then shot some high-contrast edges, using the town's memorial clock tower. With the lens profiles in the development software turned off, there was no obvious vignetting. I found that verticals were nicely upright and horizontals parallel with the top and bottom of the frame, even at the edges - a good start. My first shots were checking for distortion. I do much manual focusing and was pleased to see that it activated the focus peaking feature on my camera that outlines the edges of the in-focus area. But when I started turning it, it operated smoothly and evenly. It has just the right amount of resistance to stop it from being accidentally nudged. The focus ring is large, and the textured rubber feels comfortable. The lens mounted securely to my camera with no slackness. 30mm isn't a focal length I work with, so it took me a while to get used to it. You are forced to position yourself for the best possible image and not rely on tweaking a zoom. I am a fan of prime lenses they make you work for the photo. I fitted it to my OM System OM-1 and took it for a walk to put it through its paces, both during the day and in low light before dawn. Real-World Tests of the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Nine rounded aperture diaphragm blades should help give pleasant-looking out-of-focus areas. The lens has nine elements in seven groups, two of which are aspherical. It takes a 52mm filter that can be used with the hood. The lens is supplied with a robust lens hood and lens caps. The focusing ring is made from textured rubber. The body is made of what Sigma describes as a Thermally Stable Composite, which it claims exhibits minimal deformation over time. The Leica L Mount and Fujifilm X Mount versions are sealed to improve weather tightness, but not with the Micro Four Thirds version I use or the Sony E mount and EOS-M mount versions. On unboxing it, I found a sleek-looking, solid, but lightweight lens. The lenses arrived in recyclable packaging, and the box Sigma had packed them in for postage was reused. I use only OM System PRO lenses, so I am used to sharper than a scorpion sting results, so I was intrigued to know how this lens would perform. From the Lumix camp, there's the Summilux 25mm f/1.4 ASPH. However, with Micro Four Thirds, it will compete with the Olympus 30mm Macro lens, which is slower at f/3.5, the 25mm f/1.8, and the faster 25mm f/1.2 Pro lens. There are neither OM System (Olympus) nor Panasonic lenses that match the specifications of this. So, this should be a good portrait and street photography lens. Mounted on a full frame, on a Sony E mount, the field of view is 50.7°. But, thinking about it, it gives a 39.6° field of view on Micro Four Thirds cameras, thus similar to the ubiquitous "Nifty Fifty" lenses on a full frame camera. I'll be reviewing that shortly.Īt first, the 30mm for Micro Four Thirds cameras struck me as a strange focal length. There was this one and the wider 16mm f/1.4 DC DN that I had also agreed to put through the mill. Two lenses arrived in the post from Sigma for me to test. I tested the Micro Four Thirds version on my OM-1. It is not currently available for Nikon users. The lens is available for Sony E, Canon EF-M, Leica L, Fujifilm X, and Micro Four Thirds mounts. I didn't even look at the B&H website to see what the lens retails at retail price is a good indicator of image quality. Furthermore, I don't own any Sigma lenses, so I made no presumptions. I never read other reviews before testing lenses, which was true of this lens.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |