Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C Review

Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN C Handling and Features

The lens was tested with the Sony Alpha A7R II body and it matches it perfectly, giving a compact and well balanced overall package. The E mount is smooth and positive and there is no play when fitted. Being an APS-C format optic, the camera recognises this and switches to an 18MP APS-C mode automatically, assuming that feature is switched on. One advantage of the electronic viewfinder/monitor is that the cropped sensor format is shown full size of the screen with no cropping such as would be seen with an optical system.

Starting at the front of the lens, the bayonet fitting for the provided circular lens hood encloses a 52mm filter thread. The 9 rounded diaphragm blades can be clearly seen, providing an almost perfectly circular aperture. This is always closed down to taking aperture for viewing but briefly opens for focusing before closing down again as the shutter releases. The focusing is very snappy and shows no sign of hunting.

The focus-by-wire manual focusing ring is generously wide and apart from that there is nothing else to disturb the clean lines of the lens. Sadly, there is no weather resistance, so suitable care should be taken in damp weather.

The lens specification is 9 elements in 7 groups, focusing via internal focus down to a nicely close 0.3m (11.8”), giving a maximum magnification of 0.14x or 1:7. This is not a macro lens, but it still focuses usefully close. The lens weighs in at a modest 140g.

The whole package gives an overall impression of being very under-stated and there is little to comment upon. The standard of finish is excellent and the few markings there are crisp and easy to read. The plastics are of good quality and the ergonomics absolutely satisfactory. It simply does what it says on the box, without fuss, and the unobtrusive appearance could well be a benefit in street photography for photographers also wishing to be unobtrusive.

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