Photo Sharing: Ultra Wide Angle

[KarenAylwood]

Originally Posted by Steve's Girl

Take a look at the Tokina 12-24. The older version is $399. As I understand it, the only major difference between the older version and the new version at $499 is a focus motor. So, for Canon the focus motor is a non-issue.

I'm sorry, just to clarify- it doesn't need a focus motor for Canons? I have a Canon Rebel XSi (eventually will upgrade to 40D probably). Why does it not need a focus motor for Canons??

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by KarenAylwood

I'm sorry, just to clarify- it doesn't need a focus motor for Canons? I have a Canon Rebel XSi (eventually will upgrade to 40D probably). Why does it not need a focus motor for Canons??

Canons have a focus motor in the body, therefore it doesn't need to be in the lens. Some dSLRs like the Nikon D40 & D60 don't have a focus motor in the body--so in order for a lens to AF on a D40 or D60, it has to have a focus motor in the lens. Up until recently, this was a common complaint for D40 and D60 owners because the only inexpensive fast prime Nikon offered was the 50mm f/1.8, which wouldn't autofocus with those camera models.

So I'm guessing the newer version of the Tokina 12-24 put a focus motor in the body to make sure that everyone could use it.

[senecabeach]

OK...for 2 days I've been trying to bypass this tempting thread....
Ya got me today...


For months I've been vasilating about getting either this WA or (for fun) a Nikon fisheye this year for my D80. Each time...I slap myself a few times and wind up saying..nah, ya don't need it, your 18-135 is good enough, why spend the $$, la, la, la..
Most of the reviews have been excellent on this lens, though, my lenses are nikon and I do have that fear of going with others and yea, I did look at the widest 2.8 nikon..$$$$.

So...when you guys get your lenses this week, can you post a review and finally help push me over this fence???

BTW.... I also noticed that there are special "Wide Angle Filters" available for this lens. Is this "Special" for WA lenses or can a normal filters work??

[Suburbanmom]

Originally Posted by senecabeach

So...when you guys get your lenses this week, can you post a review and finally help push me over this fence???

I'm sitting on the front curb watching for the brown truck right now.

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by senecabeach

So...when you guys get your lenses this week, can you post a review and finally help push me over this fence???

I got mine yesterday and took a few test shots of a classic car out in the parking lot of my office and I've got to say, they looked pretty nice to me! I'll be testing it out much more this weekend but just from my test shots I'd say this is A. going to be a fun lens B. be a lens that has a real learning curve, I guess you can't just shoot anything with it and C. the pictures looked nice and sharp at f/3.? or whatever I was shooting at, although I haven't done 100$ crop or anything to really check it out.

I really like to buy Nikon lenses, but that being said, I think my Sigma 30 is my favorite lens yet and it's a third-party---so I definitely wouldn't write them off, especially for more of a specialty lens that you won't be shooting with every day.

FWIW, I am borrowing a fellow Photo DISers 10.5 fisheye right now and it's really fun also. I'll try to post some shots from each in the upcoming week or so if I shoot anything of interest. I have been looking on Craig's List in the NJ/Philly area and found a Nikon 10.5 fisheye for $450!! That's a steal (said the lens was in good condition, but I didn't check it out since I don't have $450 right now to spend).

I'll try to give you a more comprehensive review of the UWA after I do more than just parking lot and living room shots with it.

[WDWFigment]

I have already offered my review, and I think my pictures speak for themselves as to the sharpness and quality of the lens, so I assume you're talking to those who recently bought the lens...

Originally Posted by annnewjerz

I got mine yesterday and took a few test shots of a classic car out in the parking lot of my office and I've got to say, they looked pretty nice to me! I'll be testing it out much more this weekend but just from my test shots I'd say this is A. going to be a fun lens B. be a lens that has a real learning curve, I guess you can't just shoot anything with it and C. the pictures looked nice and sharp at f/3.? or whatever I was shooting at, although I haven't done 100$ crop or anything to really check it out.

I really like to buy Nikon lenses, but that being said, I think my Sigma 30 is my favorite lens yet and it's a third-party---so I definitely wouldn't write them off, especially for more of a specialty lens that you won't be shooting with every day.

FWIW, I am borrowing a fellow Photo DISers 10.5 fisheye right now and it's really fun also. I'll try to post some shots from each in the upcoming week or so if I shoot anything of interest. I have been looking on Craig's List in the NJ/Philly area and found a Nikon 10.5 fisheye for $450!! That's a steal (said the lens was in good condition, but I didn't check it out since I don't have $450 right now to spend).

I'll try to give you a more comprehensive review of the UWA after I do more than just parking lot and living room shots with it.

For what it's worth, in my completely unscientific testing, I found that the lens was noticeably sharper at f/8 than at f/2.8. I think f/8-f/9 the lens' sharpest.

[Code]

Two more from last year... I'm running out of UWA shots worth sharing Tomorrow is one year since the start of our last trip.. we know our future trips with our boys will be more awesome than we can even imagine, but man are we having major withdrawals for now!

As always they are taken with Sigma 10-20mm on Sony A700

10mm, f/4, 1/15 sec, ISO 800


10mm, f/10, 1/160 sec, ISO 200

[annnewjerz]

Originally Posted by Code

10mm, f/4, 1/15 sec, ISO 800

Love this shot!

[handicap18]

While the Tokina seems to have gotten a lot of posts recently, I don't know that a lot of people have one. A lot of people seem to want one, either that lens or the Sigma 10-20mm.

I got a lot of cool shots from my Sigma 10-20mm on my last trip:

[handicap18]

[handicap18]

[WDWFigment]

Originally Posted by handicap18

I really like this shot. You're probably one of the last people to get a shot of this scene! RIP Skyway building!

[Suburbanmom]

Originally Posted by handicap18

This is the shot I really wanted last year, but couldn't get because my widest was 24mm on a DX camera. I'll be getting it next time. I really like it.

[annebolyard]

I can't wait to use my new wide angle lens on our next trip in November!

[senecabeach]

Suburbanmom...I'm desperately trying to join the UWA cult. I am pursuing an ad on Craigslist for a Sigma 10-20mm. If the people would ever reply to my queery, I will probably purchase it after a successful tryout.

Amy...

So...did the little brown truck come??

Well....It must be fate...
Went on craigslist (for the 1st time yesterday)... and....you guessed it..

11-16mm Tokina 2.8f Lens for Nikon DSLR bodies in mint condition.

and soooo close to my home and $100. less than the cheapest new ones Ive seen on line.

Oh yea...I sent a queery too!! Ive never used Craigslist...If I get a response..guess we meet..try out the lens..and then the deals done. Hope this is no kind of scam. CL is a bit scarry to me.