Sigma 30mm f1.4 Vs Nikkor 28mm f1.4 Vs 17-55mm f2.8 DUW

[padey]

There has been a lot of talk recently about the 17-55mm and the Sigma 30mm f1.4. So i thought I'd share this review that i undertook at the end of last year.

The Glass
Sigma 30mm f1.4. Touted as the affordable wide prime and packs the latest Sigma technology; EX DC HSM. Is it a bang for buck champion and will it deliver the goods?

Nikkor 28mm f1.4. The big dog of the fast WA prime world. Big dog and big bucks, is it worth it?

17-55mm f2.8. A late entry into this review. Nikon touted this as 'the digital zoom'. Can it compete with these prime time contenders?


The Proving Ground
The subject for this test is the bookshelf in my study, once heavily used during my degree. Incandescent light dimmed right down to test the fast glass. I have not photo-chopped the images in any way. ISO 100, WB auto, D2x, mid level in camera sharpening.

30mm f1.4 @ 1/8sec


28mm f1.4 @ 1/8sec


30mm center 100% crop


28mm center 100% crop



30mm corner 100% crop


28mm corner 100% crop


f2.8. Enter the 17-55mm

30mm f2.8 @ 1/2sec


28mm f2.8 @ 1/2sec


17-55mm @ 28mm f2.8 @ 1/2sec


28mm centre 100% crop


30mm centre 100% crop


17-55mm centre 100% crop


30mm corner 100% crop


28mm corner 100% crop


17-55mm corner 100% crop


Conclusion

You can make your own conclusions.

Therefore let me liken these lenses to movies. The 28mm is like the 'Lord of the Rings'. There is nothing girly about it, heaps of violence, things blowing up with amazing visuals. But it costs you, at least 3 hours a sitting and three years in total waiting at the cinema!

The Sigma 30mm is like 'Pride and Prejudice'. There is no question about it, it's a girls movie; soft and bubbly. It ain't no Lord of the Rings, but it at least gives you a cinema experience at a fraction of the cost.

The 17-55mm is like 'The Usual Suspect'. It keeps you interested throughout the length of the movie, and the surprise is at the end. 'Who is Keyser Soze?' He is one sharp dude!!!

[Alpha_7]

I love the movie analogy, something I can easily relate too!
May I suggest if you can squeeze it into the title, a (DUW) of some sort, as the post is pretty image heavy. Thanks for the comparison!

[shutterbug]

How is the focus speed of the sigma 30mm?

[dooda]

I think that the sigma did better than the 28mm at 2.8, but the problem is I don't know where the focus stops and the lens softness begins. The 28 seemed better at 1.4 (sharpness).

Surprisingly the 17-55 was really sharp wide open. Makes you wonder what it would get at 5.6?

[MCWB]

Surprisingly the 17-55 was really sharp wide open. Makes you wonder what it would get at 5.6?

You're right, at f/5.6 it's sensational. Thanks for the comparo padey!

[padey]

I think that the sigma did better than the 28mm at 2.8, but the problem is I don't know where the focus stops and the lens softness begins. The 28 seemed better at 1.4 (sharpness).

Surprisingly the 17-55 was really sharp wide open. Makes you wonder what it would get at 5.6?

I'd have to disagree, the 28mm is sharper at every stop. Don't get me wrong, it's no 85mm f1.4. I'd love to see it go head-to-head with a Canon 24mm or 35mm f1.4.

Shutterbug, the sigma was faster then the 28mm. About the only thing that i thought was better.

[jdear]

I recognise most of your books in your test shots!

What did you study for your degree?

J

[padey]

I recognise most of your books in your test shots!

What did you study for your degree?

J

philosophy and theology.