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Archive 2013 · which wide zoom for $500?

  
 
jeffryscott
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · which wide zoom for $500?


I just came back to Nikon after time away in m43 land as I missed having good long lens choices. I'm quite happy with the 80-200 AF-S I picked up for my D7000, but am perplexed as to what I want for a wide zoom. In the past, I've always used the fast pro zooms (16-35 or 20-35) but don't have the budget for those right now.

Initially I purchased the 18-35 AF-D. I wasn't unhappy with it, but wasn't thrilled with it and sent it back to KEH today for a refund. It just was not quite wide enough and the range is probably my least used (tend to shoot wider or longer than in the middle that this covered).

As stated in the title, I have about $500. I can live with poor cosmetics as long as the glass is clean, which opens up some options for ugly higher end lenses.

I have always preferred to stick with one lens line (Nikkor, Canon, Leica, whatever I'm shooting) as it just seems that there is more consistency in the work flow with color balance, etc ... vs. mixing manufacturers.

So, I'm looking at the Nikkor 12-24, but then am very intrigued by the Tokina 11-16 (the extra stop is nice) The Tokina 12-24 is also of interest, but again, my preference is the Nikkor (but am open to discussion that my thought process is flawed, which I know it is as both the Tokina's have very good reputations). I know none of the lenses listed above are FX, but if I could find an FX lens that fits in the budget that would be best as I'd like to get back to FF at some point.

Are there other lenses I should look at in this price range? There are just so many choices and I've looked at so much information, I just want to hear from people that have maybe gone through similar decisions.

Thanks,

Jeff



Oct 28, 2013 at 04:41 PM
OccAeon
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · which wide zoom for $500?


Maybe you can find a used 18-35G for that? I bet you could get one for $600, considering how inexpensive they are new.

Actually, after reading more, it looks like you are on DX? If so, I was always happy with my Nikon 10-24, which I recently sold for $639. I found that it performed about the same on DX as the 18-35G did on FX, except that it got a bit wider.



Oct 28, 2013 at 06:28 PM
MitchSC
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · which wide zoom for $500?


I have the Tokina 11-16 AF version. It is very good build quality. I've been very happy with it. But it is DX

You also might want to consider an 18-70 AFS also DX to fill the void to your 80-200. It's kind of long in the tooth but IMO it is a great little walk around lens.

Of course neither is FX



Oct 28, 2013 at 06:59 PM
jeffryscott
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · which wide zoom for $500?


Thanks for the suggestions, but as I mentioned 18 isn't wide enough for my preferred shooting style (it would be if I was on FX), which is why I'm looking at the 11-16 or 12-24 .... I initially thought of the 18-35 in case I transitioned to FF sooner than later, but that's not going to happen any time soon.

I may pick up a cheap 18-55 kit lens just to have the midrange covered (which I don't use too often).

Previously when I was working in the photography field (newspapers for 25 years), my most used lenses on digital were the 16/17-35 and 70/80-200. I rarely pulled out the 28-70.



Oct 28, 2013 at 08:00 PM
kcartwright27
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · which wide zoom for $500?


You cannot go wrong with the Tokina 11-16mm pro... It is a great lens and built like a tank.. on the positive side in looking at it for FX.. it works very well on FX at 16mm with no vignetting on my d600.. I like having the constant 2.8 there.. ( think.. low light wide angle shots in churches on interior architectures


Oct 28, 2013 at 08:26 PM
EB-1
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · which wide zoom for $500?


I had the 12-24 Tokina, but then replaced it with the 12-24 Nikkor, which is a better lens. 12mm is not really all that wide on DX (18 mm equivalent). I'd probably get the 10-24 now, but it was not produced back then.

EBH



Oct 28, 2013 at 08:28 PM
glassartist
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · which wide zoom for $500?


EB-1 wrote:
I had the 12-24 Tokina, but then replaced it with the 12-24 Nikkor, which is a better lens. 12mm is not really all that wide on DX (18 mm equivalent). I'd probably get the 10-24 now, but it was not produced back then.

EBH

I never understood when people said that. 12mm on DX isn't all that narrow either - it's a 99 degree field of view. The 10-24 offers a 109 degree FOV. The 10.5 Fisheye offers a 180 degree FOV - Now that's wide. Back in the day we used to refer to a "35mm wide angle lens" (that's a 62 degree FOV) but we've certainly got a lot more choices now. I know that the 10.5 measures the 180 FOV across the diagonal - maybe someone else knows how the others are measured.

I had the older 12-24 Tokina on my D70 and thought it performed very well. I have the 12-24 Nikkor that I use on my D7100 and agree that it is a very good lens. But the Tokina is within the OP's budget and I don't remember reading a bad report on it.



Oct 29, 2013 at 08:55 AM
trenchmonkey
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · which wide zoom for $500?


Perhaps look for a "squeaker" AF-S 17-35 f2.8 My buddy picked one up on Craigslist for $475.
It'll make a chirp when 1st fired up BUT goes away soon after. Outstanding IQ and fast!



Oct 29, 2013 at 09:02 AM
jeffryscott
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · which wide zoom for $500?


trenchmonkey wrote:
Perhaps look for a "squeaker" AF-S 17-35 f2.8 My buddy picked one up on Craigslist for $475.
It'll make a chirp when 1st fired up BUT goes away soon after. Outstanding IQ and fast!


That would be perfect ... I've had several squeakers and all have performed well. I know it is a sign the silent wave motor is going, someday, but so many of these squeak from lack of use and are fine once being used.



Oct 29, 2013 at 09:25 AM
Gunzorro
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · which wide zoom for $500?


The Nikon 12-24/4 is an impressive lens. Despite some negative reviews about 12mm not being great, I found it great for me at all focal lengths on a D7000. Fantastic color and consistent exposure.

One of the lenses I really regret selling when I off-loaded my Nikon gear. That, and the 60/2.8D macro lens.

Recently I picked up a D200 and now REALLY miss the 12-24!



Oct 29, 2013 at 09:39 AM
danh920
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · which wide zoom for $500?


I used the sigma 10-20mm when I had a crop sensor and it was great. Otherwise the samyang 14mm is really nice too, especially for the price


Oct 29, 2013 at 09:42 AM
kaplah
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · which wide zoom for $500?


Another vote for the Sigma 10-20mm. Good IQ, decent price. I think a lot of real estate photographers use it, which is where I got the idea from.


Oct 29, 2013 at 04:43 PM
maneatingshark
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · which wide zoom for $500?


You can't go wrong with the Tokinas, the 11-16 is excellent and it works as a 16mm f/2.8 prime on full frame as well. If I remember correctly, the 12-24 works from 18-24mm or so on FX as well. I'd find that if you want an ultrawide for DX, buying an FX wide will simply translate to a wide-normal zoom on your D7000.


Oct 29, 2013 at 07:25 PM
jeffryscott
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · which wide zoom for $500?


Thanks for all the suggestions ...I think though I have decided on the Nikkor 12-24. I'll add a 35 1.8 a bit later. The downside to the Tokina offerings seem to be not only sample variation (though it seems not as common as with other third-party brands) but with the coating. Living in Arizona, we get a wee bit of sunshine and the better flare resistance of the Nikkor is a strong selling point for me.

Thanks again.

EDIT: Payment sent for 12-24 found here.



Oct 30, 2013 at 03:25 PM
2of9
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · which wide zoom for $500?


Nice! I love the wide angles, especially at family events!

I have the Tamron 10-24 and it's VERY soft wide open at f/3.5. I need to push it to at least f/5 to have it somewhat sharp. As for shooting outside, it's an excellent lens. I used both the 11-16 and the 10-24 and the Tokina 11-16 is quite sharp. I've rented the Nikon 12-24 and I really wished I have just saved up the extra money for it. It was sharp!



Oct 31, 2013 at 08:28 AM
saaketham
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · which wide zoom for $500?


Tokina 12-24 f/4 does the trick for me .. as I shoot with the 70-200 almost all the time.
Here's a hand-held one taken after sunset, using a SB-700, on a D-7000
http://fbcdn-sphotos-g-a.akamaihd.net/hphotos-ak-prn1/893531_668872763136648_695198520_o.jpg



Nov 01, 2013 at 07:20 AM





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