Will Power Crumbles - Must Acquire UWA Lens!

[cpbjgc]

As the last of my will power crumbles away like dust, I now know that I don't want a UWA lens, but rather I NEED a UWA lens for my Canon 50D. In looking at the great pictures here and elsewhere, and reading various reviews, I thought I had narrowed myself down to the Tokina 11-16 F2.8. Not only was it wide angle, but I love shooting with just available light as opposed to flash, so this seemed to cover the bases.

But then, what should turn my head but the new Sigma 8-16 mm . I see 8 mm (12.8mm on my DSLR) and say to myself "Self, can you ever get too wide? NEVER!"

So here is my quandry - I cannot find much of anything I consider to be reliable or objective reviews of the Sigma 8-16, which I do believe is shipping. All that I have seen is basically the Sigma promotional blurb. So I thought I would see if anyone here either has the lens or has tried it and has an opinion on it, or else point me to a any reviews you might consider to be credible and objective.

So please, DIS friends, help me through this pain of indecision if you can!

 

[Code]

All I've seen on the 8-16mm so far is a few flickr shots of people that have them, no reviews yet.

edit: nevermind, here's a review.. seems pretty favorable.

 

[Uncle Greg]

"Self, can you ever get too wide? NEVER!"

Sounds like you're a candidate for a fish. Being a Nikon guy Im not sure of the Canon offerings for fisheyes though.

Otherwise, geez 8mm sounds nice, but f/4.5-5/6 ? I think I'd want the 2.8 speed too.

 

[C&B Young]

It looks like the only Canadian store I can find that even has the Sigma 8-16 listed is Henry's, and they're asking $899 for it (and it's a "special order"). I picked up the Tokina 11-16 from Adorama and love it. The Camera Store in Alberta has it in stock for $750 which is a pretty good price.

 

[WDWFigment]

I am really awaiting some reviews on this Sigma (read the photozone one a week or so ago, I'd like to see a couple more reviews). It sounds really great in theory, although the slowness is a major problem for me. I will either probably try to get one prior to mid-June so I can use it for our honeymoon, or just hold out until December when there's a better resale market. I really hate paying a premium for new photo equipment.

 

[mom2rtk]

I'm starting a pool on how long Tom holds out on this one.....

Anyone want in?????

 

[WDWFigment]

To make it a reality two things need to happen: 1) I need to sell this iPad (by the way...anyone want to buy a 16GB wi-fi iPad? ****, shouldn't say that, the forum police will give me another warning for posts that violate the rules!) that I won to have the money to cover the difference between what I'll make off the Tokina and the Sigma, and 2) I will have to find a copy of the Sigma on eBay, as I'm not willing to buy new.

Oh, and I'll have to read favorable reviews. Ideally, I will take both the Sigma and the Tokina UWAs and sell whichever I like less after the trip. Not like I'll have any trouble getting rid of the Tokina...

 

[annnewjerz]

(by the way...anyone want to buy a 16GB wi-fi iPad?)

 

[cpbjgc]

I pulled the trigger and got the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 yesterday. I made the purchase in time to use the lens during a field trip for my photography class. I am very happy with the sharpness and colour - great IQ! The shots show a little banding in the sky from resizing - so please forgive the jaggies!

Here are a couple shots from the class:

This last one was shot to be a building skyline silhouette using a strong ND filter at a high F stop and shutter speed - so a little on the fuzzy side.

Thanks for the input!

 

[C&B Young]

Glad to hear you went with the 11-16, I'm sure you'll enjoy it. I can't wait to get it down to Disney myself!