Handling and Features
Performance
Verdict
Specification
This new Sigma lens is part of the Contemporary range. It offers a bright f/1.4 aperture and on Sony E mount APS-C format cameras offers a “35mm equivalent” of a short standard lens of 45mm. The MFT fit version offers the equivalent of a long standard lens of 60mm. The lens is an unassuming optic, in a relatively plain box and with little information in the provided instruction leaflet. However, is it also a lesson in the principle of not judging a book by its cover? Let's find out what's hidden within and what surprises there might be.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C Handling and Features
The lens was tested with the Sony Alpha A7R II body and it matches it perfectly, giving a compact and well balanced overall package. The E mount is smooth and positive and there is no play when fitted. Being an APS-C format optic, the camera recognises this and switches to an 18MP APS-C mode automatically, assuming that feature is switched on. One advantage of the electronic viewfinder/monitor is that the cropped sensor format is shown full size of the screen with no cropping such as would be seen with an optical system.
Starting at the front of the lens, the bayonet fitting for the provided circular lens hood encloses a 52mm filter thread. The 9 rounded diaphragm blades can be clearly seen, providing an almost perfectly circular aperture. This is always closed down to taking aperture for viewing but briefly opens for focusing before closing down again as the shutter releases. The focusing is very snappy and shows no sign of hunting.
The focus-by-wire manual focusing ring is generously wide and apart from that there is nothing else to disturb the clean lines of the lens. Sadly, there is no weather resistance, so suitable care should be taken in damp weather.
The lens specification is 9 elements in 7 groups, focusing via internal focus down to a nicely close 0.3m (11.8”), giving a maximum magnification of 0.14x or 1:7. This is not a macro lens, but it still focuses usefully close. The lens weighs in at a modest 140g.
The whole package gives an overall impression of being very under-stated and there is little to comment upon. The standard of finish is excellent and the few markings there are crisp and easy to read. The plastics are of good quality and the ergonomics absolutely satisfactory. It simply does what it says on the box, without fuss, and the unobtrusive appearance could well be a benefit in street photography for photographers also wishing to be unobtrusive.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C Performance
Once we start to look at the performance, things become rather more exciting.
Sharpness is of a very high order indeed and is probably the crowning glory of the lens. Centrally, the results are excellent wide open at f/1.4 and outstanding between f/2 and f/5.6. This excellence continues all the way through to f/16. Obviously the figures do drop as diffraction takes its toll, but they still remain well within the band that we describe as excellent.
The edges are excellent at all apertures, peaking at f/2.8 where the figures nudge upwards to being described as outstanding. f/2.8 is the peak of the lens performance right across the frame. The outcome of this is some lovely crisp images, full of detail. The gradation is also excellent, giving us that indefinable “look” to the images that lifts it out of just being a technical exercise in resolution. The overall performance is extremely well balanced.
MTF Detail
MTF Chart |
How to read our chartsThe blue column represents readings from the centre of the picture frame at the various apertures and the green is from the edges.The scale on the left side is an indication of actual image resolution as LW/PH and is described in detail above. The taller the column, the better the lens performance. For this review, the lens was tested on a Sony Alpha A7R II using Imatest. |
CA (Chromatic Aberration) is very much under control, especially at the centre. At high contrast boundaries some CA can be seen at the frame edges, but it really is not much of a problem in most circumstances. In any event, this can be corrected in software, if felt necessary.
CA Chart |
How to read our chartsChromatic aberration is the lens' inability to focus on the sensor or film all colours of visible light at the same point. Severe chromatic aberration gives a noticeable fringing or a halo effect around sharp edges within the picture. It can be cured in software.Apochromatic lenses have special lens elements (aspheric, extra-low dispersion etc) to minimize the problem, hence they usually cost more. For this review, the lens was tested on a Sony Alpha A7R II using Imatest. |
The bokeh likewise is lovely, the almost circular aperture contributing to a wonderful smooth look to the out of focus areas.
Distortion is the biggest lens defect and we are presented with -2.95% barrel. This can clearly be seen where straight lines are at the frame edges, although here too this can be corrected in software. Some correction in architectural shots might well be routinely necessary.
Value For Money
There is not much in way of a direct competitor for this lens, perhaps the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS (£349) or the Zeiss Touit 32mm f/1.8 (£419) being the closest.
There is also a Samyang 35mm f/1.4 AS UMC at £389, but this is manual focus only. Likewise the Samyang 35mm T1.5 AS UMC II at £419.
With such a splendid performance from the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens, who could argue with the modest £249 price tag?
For more options have a look at the Top 10 Best Sigma lenses.
Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C Verdict
Perhaps now we should describe the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens as a wolf in sheep's clothing, as its unassuming exterior houses a superb compact lens that really delivers the goods. Even without considering the price, the lens is an absolute gem. The modest price tag is a wonderful bonus.
| The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 offers a bright maximum aperture and a superb performance in a compact and well priced package. |