Well sort of college budget, i want something in the 15mm to 20mm range for my D30 (also for my A2 because i love the really wide range). I was looking at quite a bit of lenses and was hopeing to get some info on any of these
i really like canons zoom and plus it has USM but i read on the reviews not too many people were happy with it... Any suggestions would help, i have up to 400 to play with and want a "super" wide angle for my digi...
The 17-40 f/4L? Who was not happy with that one? That lens is amazing, and many have argued that it is a better performer than the 16-35 f/2.8L, which is several hundred dollars more expensive.
You can also consider the 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 EX from Sigma. That's a great lens and very wide. These would cost a little more ($600-$700 for either) but you would be happier with the wide. The wides on your list above really are not all that wide on a D30.
The Sigma 12-24mm easily satisfies most wide-angle needs. 12mm on a 1.6x sensor is still not "ultra-wide" by 35mm standards, but the distortion level shown by the Sigma (0.22% at 12mm) is remarkably low, in fact lower than any other ultra-wide I know of - suitable for architectural photography. Edge sharpness is decent when stopped down; you'd be hard-pressed to find an ultra-wide that doesn't go a bit soft towards the edges.
Canon's 17-40mm, which I also own, is an excellent alternative...but I use the Sigma much more often because the thrill of wide-angle photography, to me, is the ability to go ultra-wide.
my budget is about $400 :o( i dont need an ultra wide for my digital if its around 28-30 i would be happy!) thats the reason for singling out some lenses. I was offered the older sigma 17-35 2.8->4 for cheap but after reading so many unhappy reviews im not sure if i should.
I guess the 3 questions to ask are 1) what's your budget (OK, $400ish), 2) how wide do you want to go and 3) how fast does it have to be? I own both a Sigma 20/1.8 and 15/2.8 fish. I like both of them a great deal. The fish is much wider than the 20 but the 20's a bit faster and also rectilinear which means not having to account for or correct distortion. Both the fish and 20 can be had for around $300 as can the Tokina 17/3.5, I think (I found my copy of the Sigma 20 used for $250). All 3 are well within your budget. A good user's review of the Tokina can be found here:
Mr. Mohaupt wrote:
my budget is about $400 :o( i dont need an ultra wide for my digital if its around 28-30 i would be happy!) thats the reason for singling out some lenses. I was offered the older sigma 17-35 2.8->4 for cheap but after reading so many unhappy reviews im not sure if i should.
I'd go with the Sigma 20/1.8 then - stopped down it's as bright as the zooms are wide-open, and sharper.
Have you seen reviews of the Zenitar 16mm fisheye? It's MF, but you do get a very nice 20-22mm wide view after correction to rectilinear. Zero AF-lag - just put to hyperfocal distance, f/16 and shoot I love mine very much..
The Tamron 19-35 lens (your post said 20-35) is an awesome lens for the sub $200 price. If you had $50 more bucks I'd go for the Tamron 17-35 f2.8 DI, but since your in college save the money and get the cheaper lens.
Give serious consideration to the Sigma 15mm f/2.8 rectangular fisheye. The Canon version is my second or third favorite lens -- I use it a LOT more than my 16-35, for example.
I will put up another vote for the Tamron 17-35 2.8-4 Di, just got one and i love it. Great lens for $480, an even though it is out of your budget it should be concidered.
wow thanks everyone
davekone, i think your post was one of the first to to really consider my college budget lol on another forum some was like "just save up for canons L series".... good idea but who can wait?
Nill Toulme thank you so much for the example i love it.
i had someone offer me tamrons 19-35 and think it will be my final choice in the end.
I recently purchased a 20-35 f/3.5-4.5 from an FM member. I read a number of reviewed and played with a few lenses, and I thought this review raised some good points:
All the wide angle shots of ruins were taken with the Tamron 19-35
You can look at the EXIF data, anything in teh 19-35 range was the Tamron, I only had the 19-35 and 70-200 at the time!
For your needs, go with the sigma 15-30 or tokina 17mm prime. These two lenses are sharp (as far as wide angles go) and there is no issue with vignetting on a 1.6x crop factor sensor. The tokina does have some CA at the edges. mark
I love mine very much..
