Sigma 30mm f/1.4 vs. Nikor 28mm f/2

[Miller1412]

Anyone have experience with either of these lenses? I have some Christmas money to spend, and I thought I wanted the Sigma until I read Ken Rockwell's review. He suggests the 28mm f/2.

Any thoughts or experiences with either lens? TIA!!

 

[Quicklabs]

I have the Sigma and I'm very happy with it.

 

[Miller1412]

I have the Sigma and I'm very happy with it.

If you don't mind me asking...what kind of camera do you have? Rockwell mentioned some focus problems. Have you found that to be the case? I just don't want to spend $400 on a lens and have trouble with it...I have enough trouble taking good photos on my own LOL.

 

[handicap18]

There are quite a few of us here that have the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens. I have one and really like it.

While it is true that there are some copies out there that have back or front focus issues, it is something that can be tested for right away and either be sent back to the place you bought it for a new copy or sent into Sigma and have it repaired for free while under warrantee.

I use my copy on a Nikon D50 and D300. I haven't noticed any focus issues with my copy.

I don't know much about the 28mm f/2 except that it is an AF lens not an AF-S, so it will not auto focus on a Nikon D40/D40x/D60 body. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 does have the focus motor in the body and will auto focus on all Nikon dSLR's.

 

[Experiment_626]

I take Rockwell's reviews with a very large grain of salt. He apparently intends his site to be satire -- at least part of the time. I have read some good, thoughtful advice on his site, as well as some I believe to be spectacularly bad. If the bad advice is meant as satire, he really should stop, because he isn't very good at it. It is impossible to know where the line is crossed. Therefore, I tend to discount his site and his stated opinions -- not because it is all bad, but because I don't know when he should be trusted and when he shouldn't.

SSB

 

[Quicklabs]

I'm pretty happy with the focus. There might be a smidge of back focus problems on the left. I'm going to play with it for a few more months before I decide whether to have it calibrated.

'

If you don't mind me asking...what kind of camera do you have? Rockwell mentioned some focus problems. Have you found that to be the case? I just don't want to spend $400 on a lens and have trouble with it...I have enough trouble taking good photos on my own LOL.

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

I am very partial to the Sigma 30/1.4- I think it is one of the gems in their line-up. It is the only DX lens I really miss since going to the D700. Not familiar with the 28/2 but there is a long running comparrison thread between the Sigma 30/1.4 and the Nikon 35/2 you may find interesting at the link below:

http://www.nikoncafe.com/vforums/showthread.php?t=180010&highlight=shootout

 

[emmabelle]

I have the Sigma for my Nikon D40 and I really liked using it at night in Disney last week. I was able to get pictures that I was never able to get before and I was happy with the results considering I'm a hack.

 

[Miller1412]

Thanks all for your replies. Jeff...that was a great thread with lots of hard core loyalists each way.

I think I'm going to give the Sigma a try.

 

[Jeff Fillmore]

I think that is a great choice- Be sure to post a few pics HERE when you get it.

 

[ukcatfan]

I take Rockwell's reviews with a very large grain of salt. He apparently intends his site to be satire -- at least part of the time. I have read some good, thoughtful advice on his site, as well as some I believe to be spectacularly bad. If the bad advice is meant as satire, he really should stop, because he isn't very good at it. It is impossible to know where the line is crossed. Therefore, I tend to discount his site and his stated opinions -- not because it is all bad, but because I don't know when he should be trusted and when he shouldn't.

SSB

You are nicer about Rockwell than me. I think he is completely out of his mind and has serious delusions of grandeur.