Sigma has lastly introduced their venerable APS-C trio of primes to Fuji’s X-mount. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is the center little one of the three lenses. Can this late addition nonetheless compete with the X-mount third-party market heating up?
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is in a singular place for Fuji X-mount. Fuji has 33mm and 35mm lenses out there, so 30mm provides one other new choice to the combo. Can the Sigma stand out on Fuji cameras? Let’s discover out.
Professionals:
- Small and light-weight
- Tack sharp
- Nice bokeh high quality
- Some climate sealing
- Reasonably priced value
Cons:
- Solely weather-sealed at mount
- Some coloration fringing points in difficult conditions
- Would love an aperture ring on Fuji our bodies
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN — Technical Specs
The technical specs for the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 have been taken from the B&H Product web page:
- Aperture Vary: f/1.4 to f/16
- Two Aspherical Parts
- One Excessive-Refractive Index Component
- Tremendous Multi-Layer Coating
- Stepping Motor AF System
- Rounded 9-Blade Diaphragm
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN — Ergonomics and construct high quality
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN is a straightforward lens. It has a properly textured guide focus ring and that’s about it. It’s light-weight and small, becoming the X-T4 I examined exceptionally effectively. The lens sports activities a 52mm filter thread dimension as effectively. Dealing with-wise, this lens is about as primary as it might get.
Construct High quality
On the subject of construct high quality, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is sweet general. The lens physique appears to be manufactured from powerful composite materials. The lens mount is brass and has a seal to assist stop moisture and dirt from getting into the mount.
Nevertheless, it’s price mentioning that the lens doesn’t seem like weather-sealed anyplace else however the mount. That stated, it’s nonetheless higher than plenty of lenses at this value level. Sigma has carried out a pleasant job of balancing toughness, value, and dimension with this lens.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN — Within the area
Resulting from how easy the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 is, utilizing it couldn’t be simpler. There’s no lens stabilization, however fortunately, the X-T4 IBIS handles the job fairly effectively. Likewise, if you wish to change to guide focus, the change on the X-T4 will get you there, as there is no such thing as a change on the lens.
Talking of guide focus, this lens is fairly much like most different Sigma lenses. The main target ring is a frivolously damped focus-by-wire system. It isn’t one of the best feeling focus ring on the planet, but it surely’s on par with different trendy lenses and will get the job carried out.
Sigma 30mm f/1.14 DC DN — Autofocus Efficiency
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 carried out effectively within the autofocus division. On one of many check days, the wind was going loopy. I put the X-T4 in steady AF and ended up capturing some good photographs of flowers regardless of them blowing round. It additionally dealt with face and eye-tracking duties effectively, maintaining with my pal whereas we walked.
In single autofocus, the lens was snappy and fast. It might run from minimal focus to infinite easily and quietly. It additionally carried out moderately effectively in video autofocus testing as effectively. My general impression is that the X-T4’s capabilities are the limiting issue, not the lens.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN — Picture High quality
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN could also be an older lens design, but it surely nonetheless holds up effectively in 2022. This lens has many redeeming qualities and does its job effectively. In the event you’re in search of a lens to ship the products, this might be it. The one factor to report on is chromatic aberration. Let’s break down its qualities additional.
Ghosting, flaring and chromatic aberrations
This was the one space the place the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 had some room for enchancment. Within the first picture above, I’ve cropped right into a panorama shot to indicate the purple and inexperienced fringing that may happen in excessive lighting conditions. As you may inform by the following two photographs, the aberrations don’t present up in much less difficult conditions as a lot.
Nevertheless, the final picture of the person on the boardwalk does show some heavy inexperienced fringing across the tree within the background. Whereas the lens isn’t a horrible performer on this regard, it did undergo a bit from these points.
As for flaring and ghosting, the Sigma carried out admirably. There have been a few conditions the place I seen a small inexperienced ghosting artifact present up within the EVF. Nevertheless, it took such a particular angle with the lens hood on to trigger it, that I didn’t get the possibility to breed it for a pattern picture. Likewise, the Sigma retained glorious distinction and coloration when capturing into the solar in these scenes.
Sharpness
If you would like a bitingly sharp lens within the regular focal size vary, the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 can ship that. This lens is sharp from wide-open and solely will get higher as you cease down. Even on the Fuji X-T4’s 26-megapixel sensor, the Sigma was in a position to ship detailed photos that ought to greater than please the pixel peepers amongst us.
Bokeh
As at all times, bokeh is an extremely subjective factor to evaluate. I discover the Sigma 30mm to be a fantastic performer on this class. I notably just like the bokeh it renders on topics within the center distance when wide-open. This lens has a little bit character to it, and I like that. Up shut, the backgrounds fade into easy oblivion properly. Between the character of the bokeh and that signature “Sigma” distinction, the look this lens delivers is one which I actually get pleasure from.
Colour rendition
I discovered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN to ship impartial, however vibrant and deep colours. Paired with the much-beloved Fuji coloration science, this lens can produce some gorgeous photos. I didn’t discover that the lens had a lot impact on the white stability, staying good and even. I didn’t have any points with it rendering cool or heat tones.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN — A wonderful walk-around lens
The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 has confirmed to be a fantastic all-around lens. I wouldn’t hesitate to throw this lens on an X-T4 and head out for a photowalk. It falls in at a 45mm full-frame equal, which makes it a pleasant commonplace focal size with out being one other boring 50mm equal.
Whereas I did regularly attain for the nonexistent aperture ring whereas utilizing it, the general expertise was a very good one. Retailing for $339, this lens brings plenty of worth for its value. If the shortage of an aperture ring and the minor coloration fringing points don’t trouble you, it’s actually price .
