Sigma 30mm f1.4 REVIEW for Fujifilm X vs XF 33mm 1.4 

Thanks, glad you enjoy them!

You're welcome!

good observation

You're welcome!

IMO unless the sigma wins by considerable margin, its better to go for Fuji option to have a seamless tactile shooting experience.

@@nhancao4790 that's what I'm thinking too, plus I prefer that the Fuji is a bang on 50mm equivent as 50 is my most used and preferred focal length. If I can get lucky and snag a 33mm 1.4 second hand at some point I absolutely will do

If you can afford the Fujifilm 33, go for it - the results here should absolutely convince you. Only go for the Sigma 30 if your budget is lower. As for the 56 though, it's really close as you'll see in my next review on Friday.

@@nhancao4790 *if price is no object, remember that the fuji lens is double the price of this one

How do I understand firmware update? There is no software in the lens right?

@@mathisvorndran8328 you would download the updated software from the manufacturer's site, put it on an SD card and while your camera is off, press and hold the back button while turning it on to start the firmware update for either the camera body or the lens.

@Virgine Hlalia Sigma 30 for sure, image quality is superior and autofocus is probably just a hair better

Which camera body are you using it with?

XF 50mm f/2?

@@quikee9195 I temporarily forgot about the 50 f/2 😀

It's definitely the weakest of the three, but still tremendous value. But if you can afford it, the XF 33 is amazing.

Samyang refuse to send me lenses to test.

@@cameralabs wow! Didn’t know that. I’m having problems with my lens and camera ibis. And I found out, that many other people are experiencing the same thing.

@@Mathew-vlogs I'll see if I can find anything out, but I doubt it as I have no communications with Samyang.

@@cameralabs thank you. I know that there is not much you can do, but I appreciate you responding and trying to help.

If you look at my latest review of the XF 33 1.4, there's lots of comparisons with the Fujfilm 35 f2 which you could use for comparing against the Sigma here.

I agree, but obviously they were limited to reusing a barrel design from several years ago. If it were a new Sigma lens today, like the i series, then it would have an aperture ring.

It's not a failure. These lenses weren't designed for X-mount, they just adapted the E-mount version. I think it's unfair to complain about the lack of the aperture ring when the alternative would've been A) to redesign the housing and significantly increase the price so it can't compete with Fuji's offerings or B) just keep them off X-mount. Fuji also offers lenses without a control ring, where you'd change them through the control dials - you don't have to go into a menu.

@@cameralabs How does the Sigma compare with Fuji 35mm f2?

This is not a deal breaker. The Sigma lens have received stellar reviews for years'. The aperture can be adjusted in camera. Just pay a very modest amount and enjoy using very high quality glass, at the very least, try out the Sigma 56 1.4- you will be very surprised.

@@robertcudlipp3426 I understand the aperture can be adjusted in camera, but for me not having a dedicated aperture ring is a deal breaker. When I switched to Fujifilm from Canon one of the reasons was because of the more analog feel to the cameras and this lens doesn’t have that. I have used several Sigma Art lenses when I shot Canon and they were wonderful, but this also is not an Art lenses. Fujifilm makes some of the best lenses I’ve ever used, and the new 33 1.4 is no exception. I will stick with My Fuji lenses. Now if Sigma makes an Art level lenses with aperture ring and WR then I will be interested.

It's a nicer looking lens too, but the quality is beaten by the new version.

I can't recall if either of these breathed badly or not - I don't think i was including this test at the time I made this video. But otherwise the focal length and spec are fine for talking heads. Maybe a slightly wider, like a 23 or 24 for more of the surroundings.

@@cameralabs Thank you for taking the time to respond, Gordon! I am running some experiments with my various Fuji lenses now and confirmed 30mm is too long a focal length for my purposes. Funny that I haven't seen a comprehensive review of the different lenses for webcam use at specified distances with photo/video samples - looking for good video topic ideas?? Around 25 turns out to be perfect for me and my desk setup (with down to 18mm being fine for less formal/professional purposes in which greater context is appropriate). Of my available 20 or so lenses I am currently using the 18-55mm at around 25-27mm and it turns out to be darn good - glad I hung onto it! The 27mm f/2.8 and 18mm f/2 primes are too noisy with constant focus chatter, abrupt focus jumps, and obvious breathing. For long-term use I'd prefer a faster prime that could blur my background out a bit more and take pressure off lighting requirements. So a Fuji/Viltrox 23 1.4 may be my best options. Haven't used either lens myself so would need to rent or buy to assess focus, breathing, etc. Fuji is older and was optimized for stills so video focus may not be great. Viltrox sounds like a great option but I am less confident of its durability, warranty support, etc. Guess you get what you pay for. Love your channel and have been a long-time subscriber for the Fuji X content - thanks so much for everything you do! I can only imagine how much work it is to put together your videos.

@@cward2986 thanks for following for so long! I think for closer presentations, you want more like 24 equivalent, so on APSC, 16-18, but only you know you distances and how big you want to be on the frame! As you've said, it's handy to experiment with a zoom to find the ideal focal length.

Thanks!

I'd like to try it sometime

@@cameralabs if you are ever in Wiltshire you're very welcome to borrow mine.

@@meme4one thanks!

I'd get the Fujifilm 35 f2

@@cameralabs thanks! Shame that the 30mm sigma isn't quite as good as their 56 & 16mm

Yes, if you're happy to manually focus, there are more options.

same problem here , difficult to make the choice between sigma 30 & fuji 35 F2. I am not quite sure if sigma can release the new firmware in future since there is no option to upgrade X mount lenses in their website. . Obviously the sigma 30 F1.4 has some autofocus problem within and needs firmware update to prove how far it can go..

same here i still find it difficult which of the two to choose

I certainly agree the native 23 1.4 is both old, very, very noisy ( I purchased a copy 2nd hand) and slow to focus- in relative terms. I do like its light gathering ability's. The new f2 native version is , ok a little slower, but a far more modern lens design, quiter to focus, should that be important. Am not a pixel peeper and it has been well reviewed. That would be my choice is starting afresh, the trio of f2 etc. more modern lens were not available when I purchased my XT20 several years'' ago.

the f/2 is fine as long as you won't be up at the minimum focus distance, if you just do street photography, wider portraits etc. it's good value for money, but yes would definitely be nice to get more competition at the 23mm focal length

Wasn't my verdict that the 35 f2 was better?

Redesigning it for the (smaller) X-mount market would've increased the price significantly - to the point where you might aswell buy Fuji's competitors.

it was a price thing, which is smart imo when they're trying to get a foothold in the fuji x system

So you want to spend twice the money for aesthetics?

Sorry to hear that. Make sure you're subscribed!

Since you keep buying Fuji bodies, it sounds like you're getting on just fine with it. I'm sure their AF is about to take a big leap forward with the upcoming processor and sensor, and even still... our egos will be just fine if we stop viewing camera brands like sports teams.

@@tjkrueger2655 I buy Fujifilm for their approach to camera design and the image quality/lenses. They’re more fun to use than any other digital camera I’ve ever used or owned. But their autofocus is terrible and Fujifilm user appear to be naïve to just significantly better other cameras are in this aspect. Every brand has its strengths and weaknesses and for some reason any criticism to a brand brings out the naysayers. So yes, I capture photos I’m very happy with every time I use any of my Fuji cameras. But I also get extremely frustrated by the number of shots it misses focus on, when it randomly drifts into the background, or when it finds a “face” in a tree. Haha I treat Fuji cameras as digital film cameras; slow, meticulous, and fun. I don’t think there’s a camera out there that even comes close to that experience. They’re a photographer’s camera through and through. But they can’t reliably track a subject to the modern standard of what Canon and Sony are doing or what DSLRs could do.

@@tjkrueger2655 No , fuji AI algorithm not intelligent as sony / cannon/ nikon. its AF system is some kind of hesitant when deciding which subjects to follow...

@@deel7114 and as I mentioned, that algorithm will get an overhaul to pair with the upcoming stacked sensor and more capable processor that's coming very soon.

I don't buy primes for the aperture, I do it for the fixed length, it forces me to move around more.

Yeah it's a shame they don't put them on their apsc lenses

haha , Fuji: leave me some dignity..