new wide-angle zoom

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Josstover
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p.1 #1 · new wide-angle zoom

Hi,

I'm not at all satisfied with my Nikon Kit lense. It's just too soft. Im making pictures of architeçture most of the time, so I need very sharp results. I'm thinking of buying a new zoom lense but can't afford Nikon stuff. I am thinking of purchasing the 17-35 mm 2.8-4 Tamron lense of which I read good reviews on this site. Is there anybody who has experiences with this lense or any alternative. Will it be better dan the Nikon kitlens (which costs about the same?)

Jos

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 29, 2005 at 09:09 PM

mkonik
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p.1 #2 · new wide-angle zoom

If you want sharp why not a used prime lens?

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 29, 2005 at 09:56 PM

chemprof
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p.1 #3 · new wide-angle zoom

Josstover wrote:
Hi,

I'm not at all satisfied with my Nikon Kit lense. It's just too soft. Im making pictures of architeçture most of the time, so I need very sharp results. I'm thinking of buying a new zoom lense but can't afford Nikon stuff. I am thinking of purchasing the 17-35 mm 2.8-4 Tamron lense of which I read good reviews on this site. Is there anybody who has experiences with this lense or any alternative. Will it be better dan the Nikon kitlens (which costs about the same?)

Jos

If you're not getting sharp results you may have a bad copy of the kit lens, as it is quite sharp at all focal lengths. For architecture, however, the distortion may be a bit high. The Sigma 12-24 is excellent for architecture, as it has very little distortion even at its widest end. Don't know what you'd use to fill in at the longer end, as I am extremely happy with my kit lens.

Gerald

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 29, 2005 at 10:04 PM

MPerdomo
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p.1 #4 · new wide-angle zoom

Another choice if you are serious about architecture photography is a large format viewcamera.....

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 29, 2005 at 10:18 PM

Fundy
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p.1 #5 · new wide-angle zoom

Jos, remember you always get what you pay for. Tamron is able to sell cheaper becaues the're quality control isn't that great. This means that some of the copies will be great some will be soft. I had a friend who loved his 24-135 Tamron, so I bought one and mine suuuuucked. But his copy was great...

I've gone through enough hassles with cheaper lenses to know that I just buy the Nikon version bite the bullet on the cost and now I'll have it for decades to use.

Andrew

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 30, 2005 at 12:40 AM

Keaka
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p.1 #6 · new wide-angle zoom

I hear rave reviews for the Sigma 10-20 that recently came out.. and from the samples it looks like a good performer..that might be a way to go.

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 30, 2005 at 01:15 AM

psystudios
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p.1 #7 · new wide-angle zoom

Sigma 12-24 i will vouch for, as well as the 20mm Nikkor

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 30, 2005 at 01:24 AM

rhyder
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p.1 #8 · new wide-angle zoom

Sep 30, 2005 at 02:06 AM

the chemist
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p.1 #9 · new wide-angle zoom

I think a prime is going to be your best bet as well. if you have the money the 14mm is the best route IMO

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 30, 2005 at 02:30 AM

papageno
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p.1 #10 · new wide-angle zoom

You should look into ptlens, which corrects distortion. It's free and works well.....

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 30, 2005 at 03:49 AM

ajacobs2
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p.1 #11 · new wide-angle zoom

Another choice if you are serious about architecture photography is a large format viewcamera.....

Ah, swings and tilts, large image to look at, the ability to change what you don't like seeing to what you do like.. priceless...well maybe a little more reasonable on the market now with a digital back.. or maybe a Hasselblad wide with the digital back.............

Edited on Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM

Sep 30, 2005 at 04:27 AM

Art Gentile
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p.1 #12 · new wide-angle zoom

I love shooting 4X5 chromes. Used to schlep a Synar P expert kit when I was a staffer. Great in the studio but a hoss in the field. The Tachihara is a beautiful wooden folder. Only problem is my customers don't want to pay for 4X5 anymore. I am hoding out for an affordable, full frame digital 4X5 back. I am guessing 5 years.

Sep 30, 2005 at 06:35 AM


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