Photo Sharing: Ultra Wide Angle

[zackiedawg]

I do believe I've neglected this thread for a while! I had postde some night shots with UWA when I first got back from Disney in February, but I don't think I've posted anything since. It seems like this is almost the UWA/HDR thread lately (I'm also guilty having posted some night HDRs too)...so I'm going to go against the trend and put up some non-HDR UWA shots:

 

[Jamian]

"Quality Beverages" at the Yak & Yeti:

 

[Sleepymel]

Ok, so this may be a stupid question, but I got myself a Nikon D5000 in January and I've loved playing around with it so far. After seeing all the amazing pictures in this thread, I've decided what my next type of lens purchase will be! What I'm wondering, though, (and here's where the possibly stupid question comes in) is if the Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20 (the Nikon lens would be way out my price range) would work with my camera, as I've noticed a lot of people mentioning more advanced models than my own as their bases. If so, which might be best for me? I'm definitely still in the learning process, though I'd hopefully be a bit further along by the time I save up for this new lens. Thanks!

 

[handicap18]

Here is one of DS from the other night when we went to Fenway Park to see the Red Sox vs Yankees.

Taken with my Sigma 10-20mm at 10mm. He was about a foot away from the camera.

 

[zackiedawg]

What I'm wondering, though, (and here's where the possibly stupid question comes in) is if the Tokina 11-16 or Sigma 10-20 (the Nikon lens would be way out my price range) would work with my camera, as I've noticed a lot of people mentioning more advanced models than my own as their bases.

One thing you need to look at for your camera is that the lens is a Nikon mount version...from Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, whomever. They'll all make a Canon mount, Nikon mount, Sony mount, Pentax mount, etc. So just stick to the right mount.

The second thing you need to make sure of is that the lens will autofocus on your D5000. There's a pretty good list you can consult here: http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=312&topic_id=37&mesg_id=37&page= that lets you know which do. Looks like the 11-16 Tokina will not, but the Tokina 12-24, Tamron 10-24, and Sigma 10-20 will.

 

[Sleepymel]

One thing you need to look at for your camera is that the lens is a Nikon mount version...from Sigma, Tokina, Tamron, whomever. They'll all make a Canon mount, Nikon mount, Sony mount, Pentax mount, etc. So just stick to the right mount.

The second thing you need to make sure of is that the lens will autofocus on your D5000. There's a pretty good list you can consult here: http://www.nikonians.org/forums/dcboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=312&topic_id=37&mesg_id=37&page= that lets you know which do. Looks like the 11-16 Tokina will not, but the Tokina 12-24, Tamron 10-24, and Sigma 10-20 will.

Thanks for the info! I haven't heard much said about Tamron in this board. Is it on par with Tokina or Sigma? Also, would a newbie notice a difference between the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 and the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5? Some reviews I was reading said that the edges and colors on the f/3.5 are much better, but is that pro-territory or something I should pay attention to as well?

 

[Suburbanmom]

I took varsity track team photos this afternoon, but by the time I caught this shoot, the giggles had settled in and they were a lost cause.

 

[trickiwoo]

I originally was not planning on bringing my Sigma 10-20 along on my next WDW trip... but this thread is making me reconsider...

 

[zackiedawg]

Thanks for the info! I haven't heard much said about Tamron in this board. Is it on par with Tokina or Sigma? Also, would a newbie notice a difference between the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 and the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5? Some reviews I was reading said that the edges and colors on the f/3.5 are much better, but is that pro-territory or something I should pay attention to as well?

I've had the Tamron 10-24 myself for the past 6 months or so - it's been an excellent lens. I personally was shopping between the Sigma 10-20 F4-5.6 and the Tamron 10-24 F3.5-4.5...the Tokina 11-16 wasn't available in Sony mount at the time. I found both lenses to be quite good, but for me, the Tamron was a little sharper on center, with better distortion control and resistance to flare when wide open, and was a wee bit faster (F3.5 vs 4). Once stopped down a bit, both lenses get much sharper, and corners get sharper too. I think maybe the Sigma was incrementally better at 20mm than the Tamron, whereas the Tamron seemed a little better at the 10mm end. Since I intended to use the wider end more often, I went with the Tamron.

Note some samples I posted above - those are from the Tamron.

As for the Sigma F3.5 vs the F4-5.6 version...I do think that's entering more 'pro' category, certainly in price...the faster Sigma is getting up there in price to the Nikon lens you thought was more expensive...I think honestly your needs will be well served by any of the Sigma/Tamron/Tokina selections.

 

[WDWFigment]

Thanks for the info! I haven't heard much said about Tamron in this board. Is it on par with Tokina or Sigma? Also, would a newbie notice a difference between the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 and the Sigma 10-20 f/3.5? Some reviews I was reading said that the edges and colors on the f/3.5 are much better, but is that pro-territory or something I should pay attention to as well?

Before you rule out the Tokina, you may want to visit a camera shop and get one on your camera and play around with the manual focus. It's extremely easy to manually focus an UWA lens.

I love the Tokina 11-16. I don't have any experience with the others (besides the Nikon 12-24, and I greatly preferred the Tokina), but based on everything I've read, the Tokina is the DX leader.

 

[Code]

 

[Suburbanmom]

I am SO glad I have an ultra-wide angle lens! It has made taking my team pictures so much fun. Here is a Varsity Softball Poster I did using the lens for the team picture.

 

[Todd_H]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/thhphotography/4510612432/][/URL]

 

[mom2rtk]

I am SO glad I have an ultra-wide angle lens! It has made taking my team pictures so much fun. Here is a Varsity Softball Poster I did using the lens for the team picture.

So how PERFECT is that?

You're putting it to great use!

 

[tlcmommyx4]

[url=http://www.flickr.com/photos/thhphotography/4510612432/][/URL]

This is an amazing shot.

 

[Code]

I am SO glad I have an ultra-wide angle lens! It has made taking my team pictures so much fun. Here is a Varsity Softball Poster I did using the lens for the team picture.

Why UWA here rather than just backing up and zooming in? The perspective distortion is not very kind to the people at the edge of the frame.

 

[Code]

Hang on to your hats and glasses...

 

[mom2rtk]

Hang on to your hats and glasses...

I LOVE THIS!

These UWA's are putting me right into those rides unlike anything I've ever seen!

 

[Suburbanmom]

Why UWA here rather than just backing up and zooming in? The perspective distortion is not very kind to the people at the edge of the frame.

I didn't back up because the other team was already warming up on the infield. High school sports don't always lend ideal shooting conditions. I only had about 7 feet to work with and wanted to get out of the way of the throw to first.

Incidentally, I think you are right about the distortion and have done more post processing on the photo. I think this is an improvement and will not upset the girls.

 

[BorisMD]

I didn't back up because the other team was already warming up on the infield. High school sports don't always lend ideal shooting conditions. I only had about 7 feet to work with and wanted to get out of the way of the throw to first.

Incidentally, I think you are right about the distortion and have done more post processing on the photo. I think this is an improvement and will not upset the girls.

I think you've got it now. Very nice.

Boris