*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 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is another solid entry in Sigma's prestige lens line-not the finest glass the company has to offer, but a marked improvement over the older (if cheaper) 30mm f/1.4.

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

The Sigma 30/1.4 DC HSM is capable of yielding impressive results, as long as focusing is accurate. Center sharpness was good even wide open and vignetting was well controlled. Distortion was low and chromatic aberration, though present, was again well controlled.

This is a great lens, lets get that out there. Someone mentioned that it is a photographer's lens, and I agree wholeheartedly. This lens is PERFECT for indoor shooting, people shots, and as a general walk around lens.

Sharpness where it counts, light weight (this is relative), focusing accuracy on my copy, and great bokeh; If you get a good copy you will love it

None worth complaining about; it vignettes (correctable and typical for this type of lens); has some CAs (shoot RAW if you care about it); and people complain about corner sharpness; but if you are trying to get corner sharpness at f/1.4 your probably just shooting brick walls and test charts

On APS-C digital cameras, things look a bit different though. To achieve the field of view of a normal prime, it takes a lens in the range of 30mm to 35mm, preferably a fast one. Many systems feature a native 35mm f/1.4 lens, however these are usually full frame lenses targeting professional users.