wide angle lenses

[dr_zero]

I know they have made many new lenses out there but is seems a waste when there are some great lenses that can be had for cheap if you shop around.
Some of the older lenses are better made than the new ones IMHO and its nice to have the flexibilty of using just about all the nikon lenses made.

Check out this chart that shows the lenses and if they AF and meter it pushed me over the top against choosing the D40 I was about to buy.

ftp://VPddC_HW:iDkHJMV_@ftp.nikon-euro.com/Manuals/DrdIaQvRZv/lcm-En_02.pdf

 

[newtodis]

Can anyone post a picture with a "regular" lens and then the same thing with a wide angle lens?? I'm debating about watching for this to go on sale and pick one up in the future (maybe for Christmas).

Also, thank you all so much for such a wonderful board! I've been a happy Nikon owner for a week now and I love it! I would have never been inspired to get a new camera, let alone know what to look for or get, without you guys! I've just been so impressed with how quick it is. If I don't learn anything else at all about this camera, at least I can focus and not miss the shot.

Thanks so much everyone for all of the help and tips! I truly appreciate it! I can't wait to learn so much from everyone here!!

 

[fhirleighinn]

at this site there is a compasison between a couple of wide angles:
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm (I think that the tokina would also be my choice, but I have not put hands on it yet)
Depends on what of a regular lens you want it compared to...

 

[senecabeach]

Well..eating my words about never needing/wanting another lens.

Starting to search for a wide angle lens and leaning towards a zoom telephoto for the flexibility on my D80 and definitely an f2.8.

What experiences have you had with any of your searches and which did you choose/why?? So...is the Zoom WA a good idea??

Do like the Sigma 24-70 mm f/2.8 EX DF Lens for Nikon AF and especially the f2.8 aperture at all focal lengths.

Yes..Nikon has one similar with f2.8 aperture at all focal lengths...of course, 3x the price of the Sigma ( ) :
Zoom Super Wide Angle AF-S Zoom Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D ED-IF Autofocus Lens.

Also..like the extra zoom of the Sigma...but don't want to sacrifice "quality" if the consensus is N over S.

Your thoughts..please...am I missing anything??

 

[NostalgicDad]

I've never used the Sigma 24-70 but I do have and love the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. When I bought that lens, I was concerned about missing the range between 50-70mm. I can honestly say I've never missed it at all.

For me, I would love to buy all Nikon glass. But, with Sigma's higher-end lenses being really good in quality, I can't justify the huge cost difference.

 

[Code]

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 is well reviewed, but if wide is your goal, you can do better than 24mm on the short end and still not break the bank. Consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8, and Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. Or go ultra-wide (ultra-fun!) with the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. I think that covers the third party constant f/2.8 options.

 

[jann1033]

wondering what other lenses you have now...if you have something around 28-??ish i'd go with the 17 for sure since the 24 isn't enough to make that much difference. but if you don't have anything past 50 or so i'd forsake the wideness for more zoom. i use wide angle some but not as much as over 50mm and probably could normally make do with 24 and backing up some if you need a more walk around type lens.

 

[handicap18]

The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 is well reviewed, but if wide is your goal, you can do better than 24mm on the short end and still not break the bank. Consider the Tamron 17-50mm f/2.8, Tokina 16-50mm f/2.8, and Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. Or go ultra-wide (ultra-fun!) with the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8. I think that covers the third party constant f/2.8 options.

This is what I would recommend also.

I do not consider a 24-70mm range zoom a wide angle lens. Thats basically a standard zoom.

Wide on a dSLR (for Nikon anyway) would be a 10-20mm but those aren't f/2.8's. So next option would be those starting in the 16-18mm end like Code has listed. All those options are fine lenses and are a very good choice. Eventually I will be getting one of those, but for now my 18-135mm is good enough. Even with the smaller aperture. I don't do enough low light wide angle stuff to get a new lens in that range at this time. My next lens is going to be the Sigma 10-20mm. Now that is some wide angle fun.

 

[DVC Jen]

I have the Sigma 10-20mm - it is an ultra wide angle though. Not sure you are looking to go that wide - but I love it. It is by far my favorite lens. The one I have is made for a canon mount - but I know the same lens is also made for a nikon mount.

 

[thomas998]

When I was younger I got sucked into to the more zoom is better mindset... thankfully I've learned that I can usually walk closer but sometimes can't get far enough away for a shot... If you don't have a real wide angle lens then I would skip trying to compromise with too much zoom and just go for a good wide angle prime... You've got a 1.5 mag/factor on the D80 so even the 18 of the kit lens is only like a 28mm... you might find you like wider.

 

[jann1033]

When I was younger I got sucked into to the more zoom is better mindset... thankfully I've learned that I can usually walk closer but sometimes can't get far enough away for a shot... If you don't have a real wide angle lens then I would skip trying to compromise with too much zoom and just go for a good wide angle prime... You've got a 1.5 mag/factor on the D80 so even the 18 of the kit lens is only like a 28mm... you might find you like wider.

you must run a lot to make a 50mm = 200mm+

 

[Gdad]

I know it is more expensive but the Nikon 17-55 is amazing. I love mine.

 

[senecabeach]

Hummm.....
Lets see...I now have the kit 18-135, 50 f1.8 and 70-300 and yes looking for wide now.
Many "Thanks" for setting me straight. I appreciate all your thoughts/suggestions. Throwing out the idea of the 24-70 and will look into the 17 range of the models you guys recommended.

 

[AlienBrain]

I love the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8. One word to describe that lens: sharp. It also comes with the benefit of having a pretty solid build IMO. As with all modern Tamron lenses, the hood is included. The 17-50 is the lens that I am usually walking around with on my cropped body.

 

[ABell]

For all you canon fans out there...I have a 20d and was wondering what would be the best wide angle lens to get on a budget?

Thanks in advance.
Andrea

 

[MarkBarbieri]

What budget? How wide? Do you ever want to use it on a non EF-s body (today that is this 5D series or 1D series)? How important is a wide aperture to you? Do you want a zoom or a prime?

 

[ABell]

Wow, I am so new to all of this so I am not sure...
What is the difference between zoom and prime?

At this point I am not sure if we would be moving to the 5D or 1D series...?

 

[MarkBarbieri]

A prime lens is a lens that is a single focal length. It gives you one field of view. A zoom lens allows you to zoom in or out. A prime lens is usually lighter, cheaper, faster (has a wider aperture), and is optically better, but it doesn't zoom.

The 5D series starts at about $2,800 for the camera with no lens. The 1D series is considerably more expensive. These are called "full frame" cameras because their sensor is the same size as a piece of 35mm film. Most DSLRs, like the 20D, use a smaller sensor. Canon's EF-s lenses are designed to work only with their smaller sensors. The EF-s lenses are smaller, lighter, and generally cheaper than their counterparts designed for full frame cameras, but they only work on cameras with smaller sensors. Unless you plan to move up to a 5D or 1D in the not-to-distant future, you can safely buy an EF-s lens. If you change your mind, you can always sell it.

With that said, I don't know much about the EF-s lenses, so I can't really help you. There are others with much more knowledge in that area that will surely come along soon and answer your question.

 

[wdwwishes]

I have a Canon Digital Rebel and wanted a wide angle for our visit to Arizona and the Grand Canyon last year. I opted for a Sigma 12--24 mm wide angle zoom vs. a Canon wide angle. Can't remember why. I like it although it's difficult to use it in settings where a flash is needed. But, Wow! The pictures I took with it during that vacation are terrific. I'd go to a local camera shop with your camera and try out a couple of lens. You could even go so far as to rent the one you're thinking of buying for a little longer time to play with it.

 

[photomama]

The Canon EF 24mm f/1.4 L is the best, not a BUDGET lens though..