Sigma Normal 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital SLR Cameras

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I use the lens for full length fashion shots as well as street photography. The centre of the image is fantastic and I don't care about the edges so for my application this is excellent. The biggest drawback is the noise during focusing: it's by far the loudest lens I have ever owned! And it's not the fastest either. But I love the output. It has become my favourite lens.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

This is a great lens for low-light shooting, but it is noisy. The auto focus sounds like a small electric drill. When I twisted this thing on, the first thing I noticed was the sound. Small focus adjustments aren't bad, but moving 3 ft. to 20 ft. produces a noticeable squeal.

Having said that, I love the results. The low-light performance on my K-5 is outstanding. Autofocus is fast and accurate. I would buy this lens again.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

Beautiful

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I bought this lens for two applications: portraits and low light. It has performed exceedingly well. This is a lens that I needed some practice to learn its sweet spot. Once I had practiced with it, I was pleased with the results!

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I received the lens and immediately started taking photos. It is great for portraits, even in low light! It is a little heavy, but definitely worth it!

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I've been using this lens for several weeks on a K-7 and have had none of the focus problems that have been reported in the past. It's a good, solid, fast prime in the classic sense.

Bokeh is stunning. Overall operation is quite smooth. Feels like the classic Canon 50mm f/1.4 FD that I used for so long. Colors are slightly warm and the overall image has a crisp contrast.

My only wish is that it had the auto/manual focus switch and auto focus manual overide like its big brother 50mm has. Still give it five stars though.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

It is the first time I use a fixed focal so it is a little difficult at the begening but this lens is very good.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I have had lots of good experiences with this lens. Versitile lens that does well in most lighting conditions.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

This is an excellent Fast Lens. I read all the B&H reviews and chose this because it's the fastest lens available, and is a good value. I'm not much of an in depth reviewer.. but I shoot all the time and love this Lens! The only thing I don't like about it is that it doesn't coordinate with my Pentax 540 GZ Flash.. meaning I have to set the exposure manually which is kind of a drag. The kit lens I got with my KX syncs up great with the Flash and that makes for very easy event photography. Then again it only takes a minute to find a good exposure for your environment, but you know what I mean. It's worth knocking a star off for that. I am VERY happy with this lens.It is a must have for anyone shooting portraits.you can see my work at [@]Have fun out there !

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I use on a Pentax Km and a K20. I've only had the lens about 2 weeks and was at first unsure of it. In indoor lighting you find the auto focus hunts around a bit, sometimes banging right against the minimum focus of 0.4M even when there's nothing that close to you, and sometimes locking on to an unintended subject. And when you're shooting at eg F1.4, 1.7 or 2, the result will often be a failure. But with patience, and accepting a few inevitable failures, working with this extremely limited depth of field can be really rewarding. I am now loving the lens. The 'standard' focal length is great, sharpness is excellent, and the light gathering power of F1.4 impressive. For most occasions I can see me packing this lens along with whatever other lens I feel is appropriate. And because of its compact size I'll sometimes take just the 30/1.4. I mostly travel by motorcycle, and attaching it to my Km makes a very manageable camera to stuff in my bike pack.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

Pros: Awesome lens. In good to decent light, sharp and snappy AF. A 30mm f/1.4 on an crop center hits a pretty decent sweet spot. Relatively sharp (although not across the frame.) Decent MF feel, especially for a modern third party AF lens.

Cons: In low light, it remains difficult to focus by any means, MF or AF. Occasionally misses focus completely, even with focus confirmation by the camera. The focus problems may also stem from the K200d's poor autofocus system.

It's a beefy lens and slightly heavy, but when it works, it works and is definitely worth it.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

This lens should be in everyones bag! You can't even get F 1.4 from Pentax!! Having purchased this lens it has slowed me down in chasing after a good flash since I'm able to get shots off indoors in not so well lit rooms without a flash and the images are sharp! Sigma has impressed me again. The last Sigma lenses I bought were purchased to go on my Minolta X700.Since getting the bug to get back in to photography, I started out with the Pentax kit 18-55mm and the 55-300mm to put on my new K7. Feeling the need to get a fast lens a friend recommended I try this and am I glad he ever did!! Right now it's been my lens of choice and resides on the K7. It's just about as close to getting a super fast 50mm film lens. Ahhh, reminds me of the good old days when you had to position yourself for a good shot but with the ability to stop down to F 1.4, this lens is great for portraits inside AND landscapes outside. Comparing price per performance you just can't get a better bang for your buck. Pentax doesn't even supply a prime lens this fast! For the money, if you haven't put one of these in your bag you should seriously consider it. You just can't go wrong!!

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I just purchased the lens. It's a very nice lens, a bit big compare to my Pentax Limited series lenses, which I dearly love for their sizes. The only dissappointment I have is that it does not have the HSM auto-focus motor like it has for Nikons' or Canons'. I wonder why? Ironically, it is the HSM that makes for the bulk of this lens. But, then again, no body else makes a 30mm f1.4 for Pentax.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

Just what I wanted. Yup yup, all expected in a portrait lens has been good - I like the image quality - the blur is soft and consitent - the sharps are crisp, color seems as good as my camera body can handle. ha. Really enjoyed shooting people and letting parts of the frame I'm not concerned with go super-soft. Very fun. I use this lens with a Pentax 200D. My only gripe, I believe, is more the fault of my 200D than the lens. When playing around with shooting bright neighborhood city shots at night, even though there was enough light for this fast lens to shoot just fast enough for me to hold it still, there didn't seem to be enough light for the auto focus to use it's brain. AF couldn't find anything to focus on. Anyway, that's been my only hick-up, and it's probably not the fault of the Sigma 30mm. Oh, and lens hood seems a bit more of trick to get on quick than my others. hum. strange. Still dig the lens.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

Just got this lens and I'm thrilled with it. Not for the "lazy" photographer. You have to be willing to move around to compose your pictures, but it is worth it!

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I was using the Pentax FA35 f/2 - which is a great lens, but wasn't quite wide enough for my tastes and didn't have a pleasing bokeh/blur. I've since replaced the FA35 with the Sigma 30.

I almost exclusive shoot people - and this lens is perfect for people. OK at f/1.4, and sharp/usable from f/1.6 this lens focuses quickly, is weighted nicely and offers Sigma's typical pleasing warm tones. Construction quality is very good.

Bokeh is rounded in the centre of the frame and becomes more triangular as you approach the corners.

Centre sharpness is razor sharp, however corner sharpness is much more subdued. Perfect for shooting people.

The only thing I don't particularly like about the lens is how the hood attaches - it's a bit finicky. Lens cap has edge and inner pincers though, so you can keep the hood on while removing, or putting cap on.

Excellent lens - couldn't be happier with my purchase!

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I use this lens anytime I am shooting indoors w/flash for perfect high-patina portraits. I also find it's invaluable outdoors whenever I need high-contrast for landscapes. Not for amateurs, I recommend this 30mm Pentax DSLR-compatible normal lens for photographers who understand composition and depth of field. If you don't like moving around and getting the best angle, this is not for you. Those with a creative streak will find it ideal for any low-light situation, not to mention its ability to make high contrast shots out of something otherwise plain, and simple. Experimentation with this lens often yields perfection when you least expect it.

Comments about Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC Autofocus Lens for Pentax Digital:

I use this lens when it's an overcast day. at dusk or dawn or anytime I need a fast normal lens. The only down side is it's twice the size of my 50mm 1.7 lens.