Which kit lens it's replacing will depend on your system. And the image quality? It easily outstrips anything you'd get from your average kit zoom lens. It's not a specialist by any means, but it’s useful in just about any scenario, making it an excellent investment for novice photographers who are still figuring out what they like to shoot. It's also workable as a portrait lens in a pinch, especially since its fast f/1.4 max aperture can effectively separate your subject from the background, making faces pop. It's perfect for party shots, street photography, reportage, and even some landscapes. Lucky for you, the one focal length you get is a very useful one, good for a wide variety of subjects. The focus scale is a nice touch, particularly given the new 30mm f/1.4's improved focusing capabilities.

That means you need to 'zoom with your feet,' as the saying goes. And it's a 'prime' because it offers only one focal length. It’s 'normal' because the focal length (on a crop-sensor camera) closely approximates the field of view that your eyes normally take in. It’s “fast” because its unusually wide maximum aperture of f/1.4 lets in lots of light, which lets you use faster shutter speeds in dim lighting. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 lens is what's known as a fast normal prime lens. It also arrives at double the price, but lenses are one category where you generally do get what you pay for. It includes more lens elements, more aperture blades, a closer focusing distance, and superior build quality. If you had previous experience with the older, non-Art version of this lens, know this: The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art is a ground-up redesign. Designed for crop-sensor cameras like Canon’s Rebel lineup and Nikon’s DX cameras, this is an ideal choice for someone who wants an all-purpose lens that’ll get the most out of their sensor without breaking the bank. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC HSM Art (MSRP $499) isn’t quite on par with the best Art-series glass, but it’s nevertheless an excellent sub-$500 option for shooters who need a 'normal' prime lens that produces sharp images and creamy bokeh.

Sigma 30mm 1.4 canon review