Sigma 30mm 2.8

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

Yes.

But wait a little: 30mm is not too interesting focal length at MFT. Sigma 19/2.8 or Pana 20/1.7 with the same (or close) price tag seems to be much more usable. Of course it depends on your tastes...

And try to look at 60/2.8 - you can get another focal length, etc. And it is really fantastic glass!

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

A couple of years ago I purchased a sigma 30/2.8 new from B&H and returned it a day later after my tests.  There wasn't anything particularly wrong with it, but it was not a significant IQ improvement over my Lumix 14-45 at that FL (which I like in my landscape work).

IMO, and in that of many other 14-45 users,  the 14-45 is a much better lens than any of the 14-42 models.  So my recommendation is to try a 14-45.  It's an excellent lens without getting into the price range of the 12-35.

Clayton

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It is an upgrade in IQ. For a zoom consider the 12-32. I use it as my walk around. I bought the Sigma 30 for my daughter and like it so much I bought the Sigma 60 for myself!

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

I had the Sigma 60mm f/2.8 DN and the Sigma 30mm f/2.8 DN to use with my E-M10. I was going to get the 19mm f/2.8 DN but just never got around to it and now my son has my two Sigmas to use with his GX7 to chase my grandson around with. The 30mm and the 60mm have excellent IQ are are very sharp. AF was also fast on my E-M10. The main reason these lenses are very sharp and have excellent IQ is that they were actually designed for use on Sony APS-C bodies and then modified for M43. That means that the M43 versions are using the sweet center portion of the lens. While a lens is partly responsible for the color rendition you get, the image processor and sensor in the camera also have a big effect on the final result. So, while there will probably be some differences in the color rendition you see, it's hard to tell how much that will be.

Corkcampbell wrote:

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I read stellar reviews about the 60mm, but it is not the focal length I am looking at the moment.

Paulmorgan wrote:

What will it be used for ?

As a walk around lens. I was looking at 25mm initially, but wanted something cheaper.

Don't want anything shorter than 25.

The 30mm is the only Sigma lens I don`t own.

Its an odd focal length, a little long as a standard walk about and a little short for most else.

Problem #1:
Sigma 30mm = 60mm on m43. Horrible focal length: too narrow for landscape, not long enough for portrait. Sigma 19mm = 38mm is the better focal length on M43. I had this lens on both my M43 and my Sony NEX.

Problem #2
GX1 has inferior IQ, particularly noticeable compare to Olympus EPL5, 6, Em5/10, or newer Panasonic like GF6, GF7, GM1/5, G6/7.

If your not happy with the IQ if yr GX1, slapping a new lens will not help. A good lens only make the image "slightly sharper", but that is all. It doesn't address other problems like Dynamic Range, JPEG processibg, White Balance, and Blurry lowlight noise reduction (GX1 suffer from horrible heavy handed NR, iso3200 is like water color painting). If IQ is that important to you, consider buying Olympus, a newer Panasonic, or switch to Sony

007peter wrote:

Problem #1:
Sigma 30mm = 60mm on m43. Horrible focal length: too narrow for landscape, not long enough for portrait. Sigma 19mm = 38mm is the better focal length on M43. I had this lens on both my M43 and my Sony NEX.

I already have an X100T which is 35mm equivalent.

Problem #2
GX1 has inferior IQ, particularly noticeable compare to Olympus EPL5, 6, Em5/10, or newer Panasonic like GF6, GF7, GM1/5, G6/7.

If your not happy with the IQ if yr GX1, slapping a new lens will not help. A good lens only make the image "slightly sharper", but that is all. It doesn't address other problems like Dynamic Range, JPEG processibg, White Balance, and Blurry lowlight noise reduction (GX1 suffer from horrible heavy handed NR, iso3200 is like water color painting). If IQ is that important to you, consider buying Olympus, a newer Panasonic, or switch to Sony

Not looking to buy a new camera. I already have more than enough. Just wanted to put to use the GX1. Maybe just as P&S for my wife or something.

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

I have the Sigma 30mm 2.8 lens on a Sony A6000. Extremely impressed with the lens. Very sharp. Nice contrast. The attached photo was taken yesterday. It represents the middle 1/3 of the original. Hope the uploaded JPG does it justice! The top of the mountain is probably 4-5 miles away. This is Stanley Lake in the Idaho Sawtooth mountains.

This

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

Here is another.  Full image this time.  Zero in on the young fellow doing a backflip off a 50'+ tall bridge...

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

I do not think that Sigma 2.8/30 will deliver better image sharpness or color rendition.

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

One last one.  Seattle crosswalk. Full image.  Zero in on the clock.  Hope these help.

dougboise wrote:

photohp wrote:

I want to replace the 14-42 Panasonic kit lens I have on my GX1 as I am not too happy with the results I get.

I am looking at the Sigma 30mm 2.8. Will it be an upgrade I terms of image sharpness and color rendition?

Here is another. Full image this time. Zero in on the young fellow doing a backflip off a 50'+ tall bridge...

Nice samples! Thanks, I am convinced now.
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I bought my Sigma 30mm f/2.8 used in like new condition from KEH for $145.

I tend to use zooms more than primes so I don't use it all that much, but it is extremely small and light, and it produces very good image quality.

Here is a test shot I did of our dog, Haily, in very low light at ISO 4000 -- the lens is very sharp.