4 Lense Strategy

[MassJester]

I have purchased a 400D with 50mm f/1.8 lense. I am looking to add the following three lenses:

Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS ($1,000)
Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX ($490)
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG ($850)

I'm hoping this will provide me with an adequate compliment, and that these are good selections, but I am very much open to feedback.

My photo taking will include indoor environments (various ligthing situations) of people typically within 20' and a fair amount of outdoor landscape.

 

[YEKCIM]

I have purchased a 400D with 50mm f/1.8 lense. I am looking to add the following three lenses:

Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 USM IS ($1,000)
Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX ($490)
Sigma 70-200mm f/2.8 EX APO HSM DG ($850)

I'm hoping this will provide me with an adequate compliment, and that these are good selections, but I am very much open to feedback.

My photo taking will include indoor environments (various ligthing situations) of people typically within 20' and a fair amount of outdoor landscape.

Just me, but I'd personally want something with a little more range, for those times I had to choose one "all purpose" lens. In my case, the Nikon 18-135 was bought for that purpose, mainly b/c I'm too cheap to fork out $1K for the 18-200VR that Nikon is rumored to produce.

Otherwise, however, a very nice lineup of glass! "Impressive, most impressive" (as Dark Helmet would say).

~YEKCIM

 

[mabas9395]

Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X Pro DX ($490)

If you are going to go wide, then go all the way. Sigma has a 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens that is about the same price as the Tokina and goes that extra 2mm wider. 2mm doesn't make that much different in the long end, but at the wide end its a world of difference. In relative terms, the 12mm is 20% longer than 10mm. And the Sigma is very highly regarded as being a great lens.

Just something to consider and make the decision even more difficult for you!

 

[alan]

I've just bought the Canon 24-105mm L lens. It doesn't go as wide as I'd like, but it is outstandingly sharp compared to the other lenses I have tried on my 350D (Rebel XT).

At the risk of being billed an "L" snob, I'd advise you to think carefully about going for "L" glass...

regards,
/alan

 

[handicap18]

Thats a pretty good affordable lineup of glass. I too would consider the Sigma 10-20 over the Tokina. I like that the Tokina is f/4 throughout, however if your doing landscape stuff then your going to be using a tripod anyway so it wont necessarily matter.

I like that Sigma 70-200 f/2.8. I have that on my list if I can't come up with the extra money for the Nikkor 80-200 f/2.8 AF-S or the Nikkor 70-200 f/2.8 VR.

Personally I like the longer stuff as well, thus I have a 70-300 with VR. I belive Sigma has a 100-300 f/4 that is nice, the mother load would be a 200-400 f/4, but thats a lottery winning lens (goes for upwards of $5K)

Based on what you said your interests are, you really can't go wrong with your options.

Another prime to consider is the 85mm f/1.8 or the Canon 100mm f/2.8 or Sigma 105mm f/2.8, the last 2 are both Macro lenses and also good in low light with the f/2.8.

Good luck with your shopping.

 

[MassJester]

I think I've been talked out of the Tokina in favor of the 10-22mm F/3.5-4.5 USM (Canon). The extra wide angle, and good reviews seem to make it worth the additional $150ish.

I've seen the reviews of the Canon 70-200mm L and the Sigma I listed, and I don't see Canon coming up with the win on that one -- is there other information I should consider?

 

[jann1033]

If you are going to go wide, then go all the way. Sigma has a 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM lens that is about the same price as the Tokina and goes that extra 2mm wider. 2mm doesn't make that much different in the long end, but at the wide end its a world of difference. In relative terms, the 12mm is 20% longer than 10mm. And the Sigma is very highly regarded as being a great lens.

Just something to consider and make the decision even more difficult for you!

looking at the same basic wider angles and i was also leaning toward the tokina mainly as the f is better imo..any opinions on the f stop between the sigma and tokina?

 

[handicap18]

Its 1 stop different at the long end, the same at the wide end (though Sigma goes wider) and 1/3 to 2/3's stop difference inbetween.

 

[jann1033]

Its 1 stop different at the long end, the same at the wide end (though Sigma goes wider) and 1/3 to 2/3's stop difference inbetween.

sorry didn't see your first post before i posted

 

[Groucho]

FWIW, the Pentax 12-24mm has the same optics as the Tokina 12-24mm (Tokina designed the lens, Pentax designed their own barrel - similar to the Tokina 10-17mm fisheye, but in that case, Pentax did the opticals), so if you can find a review of that lens, it should perform pretty much the same as the Tokina one.

I suspect any difference in optical quality will be very slight. A cursory glance indicates that the Tokina/Pentax 12-24mm is certainly very good - maybe not the best in the world, but certainly competent.

Another thing to consider is that, if you're not a fan of switching lenses, those extra 4mm on the long side will mean less times where you're swapping lenses... and F5.6 at 20mm does seem awfully slow, that's what my 400mm lens is!

But if you're after really wide, the 10-20mm might be the way to go. Me, I'd go for the 10-17mm fisheye.