Wide Angle Lens Recs

[nat8199]

I know I just posted about not being sure of my DSLR just the other day, but now I am looking for a lens rec anyways! Looking back at my frustrations at Disney and at my boys' bday party the other day, I think that part of my problems is trying to get everyone in the picture when I don't have a lot of space. The lens I typically would use in these situations is the Canon 28mm f/1.8, which I LOVE. However, if I am going to be using a flash in these settings, then I don't need the f/1.8, but do need a wider angle.

I have been poking around and am currently looking at the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6. It has a great price point, and is nice an wide.

What do you guys think? Would this be a good lens for character breakfasts and birthday parties? Will I be disappointed with the higher f-stop?

Or would I be happier with something like the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 for twice the price?

Or should I go back to using the kit lens, the 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6, which I don't think I have touched since I got my 28mm?

 

[mom2rtk]

Why don't you try the kit lens again with the flash?

Are you looking for something wider than 18? That's quite a bit wider than 28.

If you are thinking ultra wide angle, keep in mind there's a lot of distortion. It's about more than just getting more into the frame.

That said, if you want to go UWA, you can't beat the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8. Sharp as a tack plus a wide aperture.

If I was going to invest in a lens in your position, I would consider upgrading your kit lens to a faster mid-range zoom. The gold standard is the Canon 17-55 f/2.8. Great IQ, super sharp.

 

[nat8199]

Thank you! For some reason I really like Prime lenses rather than zooms. I wish there was an ultra wide prime, but I haven't found one. The Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 looks really great.

I am going to bust out my kit lens and see how I feel about it when it is set to 18mm and judge if I want any wider from there.

 

[nat8199]

Oh! I also prefer not to use a flash. I was just thinking that in the case of Character breakfasts there isn't really a choice but to use one.

 

[mom2rtk]

I always use a flash indoors at the character meals, mostly because I can't control the lighting and don't like shadows on faces.

But I also like to take shots indoors without a flash in other situations. That's why I prefer the fast lenses when possible, so I'm covered for most situations.

I like your idea of trying the kit lens at 18 for a while.

 

[havoc315]

Ultrawide -- like the 10-18 -- are not really meant for people-pictures. As mentioned, they create a lot of distortion. If you are taking a group shot of 20 people, you might need to go that wide. But for your typical family shot, there is never a need to go that wide. Your 18-55 kit lens should perfectly adequately cover shots like that.

This shot was taken with an effective focal length of 35mm -- Basically the same as 22mm when using your 18-55:

blackbelt-488.jpg by Havoc315, on Flickr

So this is what 22mm would look like on your camera.

 

[SkaGoat]

The Canon EF-S 10-18mm is a good lens for the money, don't forget that it's got IS which the Canon 10-22, and the Tokina 11-16mm don't have. Also Ultra-Wide is not good for portraits.

 

[mom2rtk]

The Canon EF-S 10-18mm is a good lens for the money, don't forget that it's got IS which the Canon 10-22, and the Tokina 11-16mm don't have. Also Ultra-Wide is not good for portraits.

You know, I'm one who loves IS. I go out of my way to find lenses with IS. I always do much better with IS, probably because my hands are so unsteady. But I have to say I have never missed it on that Tokina lens.

 

[havoc315]

You know, I'm one who loves IS. I go out of my way to find lenses with IS. I always do much better with IS, probably because my hands are so unsteady. But I have to say I have never missed it on that Tokina lens.

I prefer IS. But it really isn't critical on super wide angle. The rule of thumb, is you want to be at 1/effective focal length. So at 10mm... Even without IS, on a crop body, you should be able to get sharp images at 1/15 shutter speed. I find I have shaky hands, and I need to be slightly faster than 1/focal length... so 1/25 for me, without stabilization. How often is light so low, that I really need to go slower than 1/25? In those extreme cases, I'm more likely to use a tripod anyway.

 

[TheBigE]

I would definitely give the 18mm a try, once you starting playing with UWA things change. You can get more in the frame for sure, but you starting having different distortions and presentations of the photo. I do no think it would work well with the subjects you are trying to photograph. Give 18mm a go and if needed, stand back.

 

[nat8199]

I put on the the kit lens at 18mm and can see quite a difference. It doesn't feel as nice as my 28mm, but it does give a lot more room. Considering the context of where I am frustrated with limitations, I don't think that I need to invest in a wide angle for Disney. I do love the idea of one, but will probably wait for another trip where it makes more sense.

 

[sharona]

I have the Tokina 11-16 for Nikon and I do not get as much use out of it as I expected to. I really thought I would love it for landscapes and I don't (things are too distant for my taste). I'm going to bring it on my upcoming trip and see if I can get some inspiration to use it for some interesting angles.

 

[SrisonS]

I love my Canon 10-22. But like others have said, it's not the best option for family shots. I'd suggest going with your kit lens.

Also, what type of flash are you using??? Are you using the on-camera one, or an external version??? The reason I ask is because if you can bounce the flash off the ceiling, the pictures will look better, IMHO. I tend to not use a flash that often, except for family shots. And being able to bounce the flash in many Disney locations has worked out well.

 

[SplashMo]

Tokina 11-16 is great with the 2.8 aperture. Distortion is based on distance to subject and subjects distance from border of image. Stand further away and place folks in center. Ideal foal length for group photos on an APS-C camera is 20mm... This is equivalent to a 35mm lens on a full frame camera.

 

[nat8199]

Thank you all, once again! I will be bringing an external flash this next trip. I have been practicing using it/bouncing it in my house this past week. I think it will make a big difference when I am trying to take pictures inside.

The more I research wide angles, the more I want one! Not necessarily for my original purpose, just because I love the images I see taken with them. I am putting the Tokina 11-16 on my wish list. If I can keep up with practicing and studying my photography (and save up for one), then I think I will reward myself with one in a few months.

On a side note, I had just planned on taking 2 lenses, maybe 3 to Disney, but now it is looking like I will be taking 4-5! I will leave some in my room each day, but oops!

 

[havoc315]

Thank you all, once again! I will be bringing an external flash this next trip. I have been practicing using it/bouncing it in my house this past week. I think it will make a big difference when I am trying to take pictures inside.

The more I research wide angles, the more I want one! Not necessarily for my original purpose, just because I love the images I see taken with them. I am putting the Tokina 11-16 on my wish list. If I can keep up with practicing and studying my photography (and save up for one), then I think I will reward myself with one in a few months.

On a side note, I had just planned on taking 2 lenses, maybe 3 to Disney, but now it is looking like I will be taking 4-5! I will leave some in my room each day, but oops!

3-4 lenses is basically my minimum for any vacation. This summer, it's a Disney Alaska cruise.... I'll bring my ultra wide, rent/buy the new Nikon 300, 2 teleconverters... Leaving just enough room in my bag for 1 more lens. Decisions decisions. Do I bring my regular kit, do I bring my 70-200/4, do I go light and bring my nifty fifty. Guess I won't bring my macro. Hmm.