So, what is about this lens anyway?

• Large Maximum Aperture of F1.4
• The most appropriate coating for digital SLR cameras
• Two SLD (Special Low Dispersion) glass elements and an hybrid aspherical lens, provides the utmost correction for all types of aberrations
• Equipped with HSM (Hyper Sonic Motor) system. IT WORKS for Nikon D40/D40x/D60 for autofocus

I bought it because i want to have a big aperture lens to shoot in low light. My D40x kit lens (18-55mm) was way out of it. Buying Nikkor 50mm/f1.8 or 1.4 also not an option because it cant do autofocus in my D40x. Well, then I found this Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC.

With 1.5x crop factor sensor of my D40x (now D80), at 30mm it becomes a 45mm lens equivalent. So this lens is perfect to shoot for street photography and general shots. I tried to shot the lens wide open at f/1.4. This lens puts a new spin to street photography at night WITHOUT a tripod. At f/1.4, image quality in very low light conditions with a minimum shutter speed of 1/30 and an ISO setting of 800 or higher – made some pretty nice images.

When you stop down to about f/1.8 to f/2 under low light conditions, the image quality just seems to improve and sharpness and detail improves. Under normal lighting conditions, this lens seems to be sharpest at f/4 – f/5.6.

The bokeh efffect for this lens is remarkable. I didn’t get the same problems/complaints that most of the user reviewers have claimed on reviewing this lens.  I think the only gripe I would have about this lens is that it often at times struggles to focus on a subject or subjects properly. Other than that, this lens is a superb piece of glass and I find it very difficult to take it off my D80 since it’s truly that darn good of a lens. 

Camera: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D40X
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 30mm
Flash Used: No

Camera: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D40X
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/30 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 30mm
Flash Used: No

Camera: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D40X
ISO: 400
Exposure: 1/4000 sec
Aperture: f/2.8
Focal Length: 30mm
Flash Used: No

Camera: NIKON CORPORATION
Model: NIKON D40X
ISO: 800
Exposure: 1/100 sec
Aperture: f/1.8
Focal Length: 30mm
Flash Used: No