Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art Lens

Stimulate the artistic mind! A large-aperture F1.4 APS-C format standard lens to satisfy any photographer.

Placed under the Art category, this large-aperture standard lens with an angle of view equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera is a superb go-to lens for artistic photography on an APS-C format digital SLR. Offering the bright F1.4 aperture and an angle of view extremely close to that of human vision, this lens is ideal for many different types of photography. Equipped with the latest in lens technology, the 30mm 1.4 lens boasts a Hyper Sonic Motor (HSM), Super Multi-Layer Coating and a design featuring Thermally Stable Composite Material (TSC).

The HSM ensures quiet, accurate and high-speed autofocus; the Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting, while the TSC reduces expansion and contraction of the internal lens barrel. A rear focus system prevents focus-dependent variation in aberration, making high-level image quality possible throughout the entire image. With their unchanging barrel length, these lenses also enhance balance and stability for the photographer. An optimized autofocus achieves a smoother focusing.

The 30mm 1.4 has a minimum focusing distance of 11.8in and a maximum magnification ratio of 1:6.8.  A 9 blade rounded diaphragm creates beautiful bokeh. Under the Global Vision standard, every lens will be tested before shipping using the Sigma A1 MTF system to ensure the highest degree of quality possible.

A best-seller made even better.

This large-aperture standard digital SLR camera lens is in APS-C format, making it ideal for many different types of photographic expression.

Offering the highest level of image quality, this large-aperture F1.4 standard lens stimulates the desire to create.

SIGMA pioneered the large-aperture APS-C format standard lens category with its famous 30mm F1.4 lens. Now that we have reorganized all our lenses into three product lines, we are proud to introduce the fully updated 30mm F1.4 DC HSM, which offers an angle of view equivalent to 45mm on a 35mm camera. Offering an angle of view and sense of perspective extremely close to that of human vision, this lens stimulates the desire to create and is ideal for many different types of photographic expression. It is a superb go-to lens for artistic photography. Featuring an advanced design and the latest manufacturing technologies, this lens delivers the highest level of image quality.

The full realization of the Art product concept for you to hold in your own hands and appreciate with your own eyes.

Designed with a focus on sophisticated optical performance and tremendous expressive power, our new Art line of lenses delivers top-level image quality. With unsurpassed expressive performance, these lenses reach the high standards demanded by photographers with an artistic, creative inclination. Along with landscapes, portraits, still-life, close-up and casual snaps, they're perfect for the kind of photography that unleashes the inner artist. Ideal for studio photography, they offer just as much expressive scope when capturing architecture, starry skies, underwater shots and many other scenes.

A large-aperture F1.4 standard lens to please any photographer

A large-aperture lens with minimal optic aberration and superb peripheral resolution.

Lens construction

Putting a large-aperture aspheric lens first in the series of lenses makes possible a slim barrel, while optimized power distribution helps correct various types of optical aberration. These features give this F1.4 large-aperture lens truly optimal image quality.

High resolution and outstanding photographic expression

Minimal aberration combined with beautiful bokeh effects at large-aperture settings.

Thanks to their easy-to-use angle of view, standard lenses allow photographers to express themselves fully. The 30mm F1.4 DC HSM leverages superior optical performance to offer outstanding expressive power at a wide range of focusing distances. Optimized power distribution minimizes curvature of field, thereby preventing a loss of image quality at the edges of photographs. The use of a double aspheric lens minimizes spherical distortion, astigmatism and coma. Coma of point light sources is minimized near the edge of the image, and an attractive round bokeh effect is produced at large-aperture settings.

Rounded diaphragm

When photographing with point light sources such as electric lights or reflections on a body of water in the background, the rounded 9-blade diaphragm helps produce an attractive bokeh effect—even at large-aperture settings.

An all-new, all-premium lineup

Superior functionality across the lineup, thanks to SIGMA's proprietary new A1 MTF measuring system.

There are three requirements for outstanding lenses: fine design, precise manufacturing and inspection that ensures compliance with all specifications. SIGMA lenses are born of well-thought-out design concepts and sophisticated, advanced Japanese manufacturing technology; the final clincher is our lens performance evaluation. We used to measure lens performance using conventional sensors. However, we've now developed our own A1* proprietary MTF (modulation transfer function) measuring system using 46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensors. Applying this system, we check each lens in our new lines at our Aizu factory, our sole production site. Even previously undetectable high-frequency details are now within the scope of our quality control inspections, allowing us to deliver consistently high lens performance.

*A1：Aizu １

46-megapixel Foveon direct image sensor

The 46 effective megapixel (4,800 × 3,200 × 3 layers) and 44 recording megapixel (4,704 × 3,136 × 3 layers) 23.5 × 15.7mm APS-C X3 direct image sensor captures all primary RGB colors at each and every pixel location, ensuring the capture of full and complete color. Using three silicon-embedded layers of photo detectors, stacked vertically to take advantage of silicon's ability to absorb red, green and blue light at different respective depths, it efficiently reproduces color more accurately, and offers sharper resolution, pixel for pixel, than any conventional image sensor. Since color moiré is not generated, the use of a low-pass filter is not required, meaning light and color, generated by the 46-megapixel APS-C X3 direct image sensor is captured with a three-dimensional feel.
 

Ultra-high precision and quality—all made in Japan

All SIGMA's manufacturing – right down to the molds and parts – is carried out under an integrated production system, entirely in Japan. We are now one of the very few manufacturers whose products are solely "made in Japan". We like to think our products are somehow imbued with the essence of our homeland, blessed as it is with clean air and water, and focused hard-working people. We pride ourselves on the authentic quality of SIGMA products, born of a marriage between highly attuned expertise and intelligent, advanced technology. Our sophisticated products have satisfied professionals and lovers of photography all over the world, because our manufacturing is based on genuine craftsmanship, underpinned by the passion and pride of our experts.

The finest in materials, usability and functionality

A refined, integrated design made with the photographer in mind.

All lenses in SIGMA’s new Art line come with a hood with a high-quality rubberized connector and feature a newly designed lens cap and AF/MF switch, and are designed for intuitive use and superior functionality. Inside, HSM (hypersonic motor) delivers high AF speed and extremely quiet performance. An enhanced algorithm offers even smoother automatic focusing. Full-time manual focus override is another key feature that leaves the artistic touches in the photographer’s hands. The brass mount combines high precision with rugged construction. Its treated surfaces and enhanced strength contribute to the exceptional durability of the lens. In both the external and internal parts, the optimized use of TSC (Thermally Stable Composite), an excellent match for metal parts, further contributes to the high-precision construction of the lens.

HSM (hypersonic motor)

HSM (hypersonic motor) delivers high AF speed and extremely quiet performance. An optimized algorithm offers even smoother automatic focusing, and full-time manual focus override is another key feature.

Incorporating a Rear Focus system

The lens incorporates a rear focus system that prevents focus-dependent variation in aberration, making high-level image quality possible throughout the entire image. With their unchanging barrel length, these lenses also enhance balance and stability for the photographer. Furthermore, since the front of the lens does not rotate, polarizing filters can be used with extra convenience.

TSC (Thermally Stable Composite)

A first for the industry, the barrel of the lens features a new TSC (Thermally Stable Composite) that offers minimal thermal shrinkage combined with exceptional hardness. It also offers 25% greater elasticity than polycarbonate. Since its thermal shrinkage is low, TSC matches well with metal parts, further contributing to the high-precision construction of the lens. TSC also makes possible slimmer forms for parts like zoom rings and scaling rings.

Flare and ghosting reduction

From an early stage in the lens design process, flare and ghosting have been measured to establish an optical design resistant to strong incident light sources such as backlighting. SIGMA's Super Multi-Layer Coating reduces flare and ghosting to help photographers produce sharp and high contrast images even in backlit conditions. The included lens hood can be attached to block out extraneous light, which can have a negative effect on rendering performance.

A lens customizable to your needs

New exclusive software and SIGMA USB DOCK make customization simple.

For our new product lines, we have developed exclusive SIGMA Optimization Pro software that allows the user to update the lens firmware and adjust focus position and other parameters. The user will be able to connect the lens to a computer with a special SIGMA USB DOCK and use easy-to-operate on-screen controls to create personal lens specifications.

Performance Data

What's in the box:

• Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC HSM Lens
• Case
• Front Cap LCF III 62mm
• Rear Cap LCR II
• Lens Hood LH686-01