Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Review

Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Review:

If you have an APS-C L mount camera, such as, the Leica CL, and you’re looking for a normal lens that’s around a 50mm equivalent focal length, there are quite a few to choose from.  However, if you want one with autofocus that is also compact, the options shrink a bit.  One option that you can choose though is the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens.  This 45mm equivalent lens has been around in different mounts, and now it’s also in L mount as well.  I had a chance to review this lens along with the two other APS-C lenses currently out, which are the 16mm f1.4 (review here) and the 56mm f1.4 (review here).  I wrote up a review for each of the other two a while back but for some reason, I never got around to finishing up the review for the 30mm f1.4.  So, here’s what I think of the 30mm.

Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Build Quality:

As with all my reviews, I like to start off with build quality, and overall, the 30mm f1.4 is very similar to the other two Sigma APS-C lenses currently out in terms of design, which makes sense.  Like the other two, the 30mm f1.4 is made of TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), it comes with a brass bayonet mount, and it has a textured rubberized focus ring for easy grip.  I’m happy to report that there’s also rubber sealing on the mount for dust, and splash protection.  Overall, the lens feels very solid with no signs of inferior workmanship or parts.  It fits perfectly with a camera like the Leica CL not only aesthetically but also ergonomically.

↑ Here’s the Leica CL with the 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens attached to it.

Speaking of ergonomics, f1.4 lenses tend to be larger than their smaller aperture counterparts but in this case, the 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is still quite compact, as you can see in the photos.  It measures just 2.55 x 2.89″ / 64.8 x 73.3 mm, and has a 52mm filter thread.  These are all more than reasonable specs for an APS-C lens of this focal length.  I feel the compact size is particularly important here because as I said earlier, the Sigma 30mm f1.4 equates to a 45mm focal length with an APS-C sensor in 35mm terms, so it’s basically a “normal” lens.  It’s going to be used for all types of photography ranging from landscape, portraiture to even street photography.  If you’re like me, a person who favors the 50mm focal length, this might be a lens that will be mounted on your camera 99% of the time.  Therefore, It needs to be compact and light, so it can be carried around all day without the photographer feeling burdened.

↑ This is for size comparison (from left to right): Sigma 16mm f1.4, Sigma 30mm f1.4, Sigma 56mm f1.4, Leica Summilux-M 50mm ASPH, and 75mm Summilux.

Speaking of light, the 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens weighs only 9.35 oz / 265 g, which means it isn’t something that you’ll regret carrying around at the end of a long day.  I took the 30mm f1.4 everywhere with me, and had no issues with it.  The Sigma 30mm f1.4 is definitely an optic that I would categorize as an “everyday lens”.  It balances so nicely with the CL.  It never had any front heavy issues, and in general, it was just a joy to use.

↑ Here’s a top view of the combo.

To top it off, the 30mm f1.4 also comes with a lens hood.  It doesn’t make the lens that much larger either, which is nice but I’m also happy to report that I didn’t experience much issue with flare under normal usage either.  So, I didn’t even feel the need to use the lens hood much.  I tend to like to carry less, if I can get away with it.

↑ The 30mm f1.4 comes with lens hood.

Overall, there aren’t really any issues that I had with the build and ergonomics.  It just works, and works well, I might add.  It’s a clean design, which I love, and inspires confidence with its build.  If I’m nitpicking, like the other two Sigma APS-C lenses currently out, the 30mm f1.4 does not have image stabilization.  However, many lenses in this range don’t have IS, and to me, it’s not a big deal at all.  This isn’t a type of lens that needs it.  I didn’t have any stabilization issues with it mounted on the CL.

Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Autofocus:

Let’s take a look at the autofocus now.  The 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens uses a stepping motor, which I found to be quite fast and near silent.  I didn’t have any issues with the autofocus when I was using it with the CL.  As far as I’m concerned, it felt like a lens made by Leica in terms of compatibility.  It was so good that the autofocus wasn’t even something that crossed my mind while I was shooting.

Autofocus is also very accurate.  Depth of field can be pretty shallow at f1.4 but I’m happy to report that the Sigma 30mm f1.4 really inspires confidence with focusing at such a wide aperture.  It really does a great job locking on focus correctly quickly, and getting the shot.

As some of you know, I am a boudoir and street fashion photographer, so I did take this lens with me on a few of my shoots.  At the time I was testing this lens, Covid cases were quite high in New York City, so I didn’t have that many shoots, and we were limited to certain areas, and things that we could do.  Anyway, I normally have face detection on when I’m using my SL2 during these shoots, so I did the same with the CL.  The face detection works great with the 30mm f1.4 attached.  It had no problems locking on to my subject’s face accurately and quickly.  There are areas in my studio that are dimly lit but the autofocus was always on point even when the lighting was difficult to work with.  I found it really performs quite well.

Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Image Quality:

In addition to features like portability, and excellent autofocus, the 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens performs quite well in terms of image quality.  For those worried about using this lens with the CL, I found the 30mm f1.4 to be every bit capable.

↑ This was taken at f5.6 with 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s a picture taken at f8 and 1250 ISO.

↑ Michelle (Instagram) was over to help me review this lens.  The settings here were f1.4 and 100 ISO.

It starts off with sharpness, which is excellent overall.  The 30mm f1.4 is tack sharp in the center at f1.4 with slight lost in detail in the corners.  This is to be expected.  As you stop down, the entire frame sharpens up nicely.  I would say optimum sharpness is around f5.6 to f8.  I feel that’s the area where corners are at their best, and of course, center sharpness is at maximum.  I’m talking about pixel peeping here, of course, since this is a review.  In reality, you can definitely use this lens throughout its aperture range, and get great results.  As you can see, I shot the Sigma 30mm f1.4 at all different apertures.

↑ Let’s check out the sharpness at f8.  I was using 160 ISO here.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

↑ Here’s a photo taken at f5.6 and 200 ISO.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

↑ Let’s check out the sharpness at f1.4.  I used 100 ISO here.

↑ Here’s a 100% crop of the photo above.

Besides sharpness, there are other features that contribute to making the 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens a well rounded optic.  For one, it has a Super Multi-Layer Coating, which is suppose to aid in flare reduction.  It apparently worked because I had no issues with flare.  Contrast and color rendering are also great.  There is slight barrel distortion but nothing that is really an issue.  In other words, it’s not going to take away anything from the overall picture.  There’s also some vignetting at f1.4, which isn’t out of the ordinary.  By stopping down to just f2, it is nearly gone.

↑ Here’s a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge taken at f8 with 200 ISO.

↑ This was taken somewhere in Chinatown using f2.8 and 800 ISO.

↑ This was taken under the FDR Drive using f7.1 and 250 ISO.

Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Bokeh:

Thanks to its maximum aperture of f1.4 and a focal length that equates to a 45mm equivalent, the 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is capable of producing a shallow depth of field.  In other words, you can get some decent isolation with the 30mm f1.4, which I imagine many want to buy this lens for in the first place.  With its rounded nine-blade diaphragm, the bokeh quality is both buttery smooth and inviting.  Nothing that I can see, at least, is harsh.  I do generally love what Sigma lenses can produce when shot wide open, and the 30mm f1.4 is definitely no exception.

↑ Here’s a photo of Kopi taken with 4000 ISO and f1.4.

↑ This was taken at f1.4 with 100 ISO.

↑ Here’s another shot taken wide open with 100 ISO.

Pros And Cons:

Pros:

• Well-built.
• Compact and light considering it’s focal length and maximum aperture.
• Balances beautifully on an APS-C camera like the Leica CL.
• Fast and accurate autofocus.
• Great image quality.
• Decent Bokeh.
• Lens sells for a fantastic price.

Cons:

• Lack of image stabilization but I don’t think this is so important with a wide angle lens.
• A little barrel distortion

Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Lens Verdict:

Overall, the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens is a great choice for those looking for a lens around the 50mm equivalent focal length.  It has a lot going for it, such as, it’s compactness, lightness, being well made, and having excellent autofocus.  The image quality is also great.  Best of all, the price is just $339 with a current rebate knocking the price down to $289, which really makes this lens a real value here.

↑ Here’s a photo taken at f1.4 using 500 ISO.

Because of its 45mm equivalent focal length, and it’s maximum aperture, I’m betting prospective buyers will be comparing this lens quite a lot to Leica’s own Summilux-TL 35mm f1.4 ASPH, which is a 52.5mm focal equivalent.  There’s no doubt that the Summilux is a wonderful lens; it is one of the best lenses in its class.  However, it is also currently priced at $2,895, which is a huge jump from Sigma’s, which again, is $339.

↑ This was taken with f7.1 using 100 ISO.  I took this in South Street Seaport.

↑ Here’s one last image of the Sigma 30mm f1.4 attached to the Leica CL.

In the end, the decision is obviously yours but I feel the Sigma really has a lot going for it.  Overall, the other two Sigma APS-C lenses that are currently out (my 16mm f1.4 review and my 56mm f1.4 review) have been impressive to me, and great additions to the L mount Alliance.  This 30mm f1.4 is no exception; it not only has a lot of great features, there aren’t really that many negatives, if you think about it.  With what it’s price, it’s kind of a steal in my book.  So, if you’ve been looking for a “normal” lens for your L mount APS-C camera, the Sigma 30mm f1.4 is definitely a fantastic option that you should consider.

Thanks for taking the time to read my review!  If you’re considering purchasing the Sigma 30mm f1.4, and my review helped you decide, please help support this site by purchasing from the links below or any mentioned in this review.  It will not cost you anything extra. Thank you for your support!

30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens at B&H Photo

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