Have had this lens for about a week now and it produces some amazing images on my Canon 60D.

Image and build quality

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM A is a wide-aperture standard lens for APS-C cameras

F/1.4 maximum aperture; Excellent MTF results; Full-time MF option; Near-silent AF; Metal mounting flange

Significant barrel distortion; Some colour fringing; No image stabilisation

Despite the naming similarity, there is a world of difference between Sigma's 35mm f/1.4 and its 30mm f/1.4 (reviewed here). Whereas the former is a full-frame lens, the latter is APS-C only; whereas the former has a petal-shape lens hood, the latter's is cylindrical; whereas the former offers...

F/1.4 maximum aperture; Excellent MTF results; Full-time MF option; Near-silent AF; Metal mounting flange

Significant barrel distortion; Some colour fringing; No image stabilisation

I wanted a crop sensor lens that was close to a 50 mm full sensor. I read a lot of reviews, then settled on this lens. I'm a newbie and and still working on my ideal stills but this lens rocks for video

Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Excellent Field Of View; Great for Video; Lightweight; Love The Sharpness

Slight Auto Focus Issues

I wanted a crop sensor lens that was close to a 50 mm full sensor. I read a lot of reviews, then settled on this lens. I'm a newbie and and still working on my ideal stills but this lens rocks for video

Durable; Easily Interchangeable; Excellent Field Of View; Great for Video; Lightweight; Love The Sharpness

Slight Auto Focus Issues

This is a fantastic lens! Since I have had it it hasn't came off my body!

Recently, I've bought this lens to augment the quality of photos and till yet I haven't found any issues as such!

I bought this recently because I wanted a 50mm equivalent for my Canon 40D. It was either this or the Samyang 35mm 1.4 for video, but since I was a photography guy first, I just the Sigma with its AF. Bokeh is okay. There is distortion. I also have the Canon 50mm 1.8 that I used to use more often.

Fast aperture; semi fast focusing for my needs; sharp

Soft wide open; smallest aperture is f16

*UPDATE* My latest music video was shot with the Canon 50mm 1.8 and Sigma 30mm 1.4. The 30mm was primarily used for most shots except when it was focused closer to the artist's face (50mm used there). Recorded with a Canon 60D at ISO 3200 at 1.4 most of the time, this lens saved the night for sure!

Fast aperture; semi fast focusing for my needs; sharp

Soft wide open; smallest aperture is f16

The Sigma 30mm F1.4 EX DC HSM ($690 list) is the APS-C version of the classic fast 50mm lens that, before the popularity of zoom lenses, was the standard lens paired with 35mm SLRs.

Fast aperture; Available for many camera systems

Expensive; Soft images; Noticeable distortion