You've probably heard about the Sigma 30MM f/1.4 Lens already, because I go on about it all the damn time.
I got this lens because every time I liked the way someone filmed a video or took a photograph and found out what lens they used, it was always this one. It's in the description box on every YouTube video, and at the end of every blog post.
But what makes it good - and worth the hefty price tag? Let's talk about why this is such a great investment for bloggers, Instagram users, photographers, and vloggers...
It has the perfect focal length.
Erm.. what does that mean?
You know how the kit lens that came with your DSLR has the numbers 18-55mm on it? That's your focal length, right there. When you zoom out, it's 18mm (which is a wide angle) and when you zoom in it's 55mm (the close-up). The Sigma lens is a fixed focal length lens, which means you can't zoom in and out - but you don't need to, because 30mm is the perfect length. It's wide enough to get decent travel shots, and close enough for portraits. That's how it's become my most used lens!
It has a (really) wide aperture.
Nope. You've lost me.
Aperture is reffering to the number starting with f/ on the lens, which in this case is f/1.4. Most kit lenses are about f/3.5 or f/5.6. Why is this important? Well, the smaller that f/ number, the more blurry the background will be. Most bloggers and vloggers love that classic blurry background, and this is the best lens for the job.
Having a wide aperture also means the camera lets in more light - so basically, it's better for low-light photography. This has really come in handy when I've been trying to take blog photos over winter when it gets dark at 2pm.
Sounds great! Is there anything this lens can't do?
Actually, yes. I've had it for a few months now and for my needs, it's the perfect bit of kit. But not everyone will get along with it, so it's worth thinking about why you need to invest in a lens before you hand over your money.
The auto focus definitely isn't silent, so if you're using this to make YouTube videos, you probably won't want to use the track focusing when you're recording because it'll be very loud. (That means you'll have to focus once, with a remote, and try not to move around too much. It sounds complicated but I promise it isn't, as that's how I film most of my videos.)
You also can't get close-ups with this lens. It'll get close-ish, but if you're trying to photograph a piece of jewellery or a butterfly that's landed on a flower, your best bet is a dedicated macro lens.
It's also a bit heavy and bulky, and not waterproof, so it might not be ideal for some travel photographers. I took this lens to Belgium with me and got some beautiful photographs, but it was very heavy to walk around with all day.
Who would really love this lens?
Bloggers, portrait photographers, vloggers, Instagram addicts, lovers of low light photography; and basically anyone who just wants one good lens with a decent focal length and lots of background blur. I personally use it for all of the above, and over the last few months it's become the only lens I use with my Canon 700D because it does everything I need it to do.
You can get this for Canon, Nikon and Sony DSLR's; as well a micro thirds cameras like the Olympus Pen. Click the links below to buy on Amazon:
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