17mm isn't quite wide enough for me. so i went with 15mm. 9mm-11mm is too wide for me. i'm not sure what 15mm and above means in the poll as i like 15 but want wider than 17.
What did you think of the several responses people posted in your original post? You didn’t respond in that thread.
I predict that 99% of people in this poll will choose 15mm +. Like I and others said in your other thread, Ultra wide angles are to be used sparingly. You don’t want to sell your 17-28 for one. Adding one to your arsenal is fine, but not if it’s going to be your only wide option.
I don't shoot a lot of ultrawide, so listen to others with more experience. I have the Sony 12-24 f/4 G. In my opinion a zoom is very useful for the ultrawide range. As you get wider and wider each mm gets dramatically wider. So a zoom allows you to change composition easily. My personal comfort zone for wideness is around 16mm+. I don't think I would have much interest in the 9mm-11mm range, it's just too wide for me.
The usefulness of extreme focal lengths entirely depends on what subjects you shoot. For architecture and especially interiors, ultra wides can be the only way to achieve what you need in a single image. Of course you can use pano stitching techniques but that comes with its own set of issues and limitations.
Maybe rent the Sony 12-24 f4 for a few days and do some shooting? My UWA is the Sigma 14-24, and I'm pretty happy with 14 being my widest. But I know some people really like having the option to 12mm. If that isn't wide enough, then I guess you're in the 9/10mm range.
The wider the lens, the more challenging it can become to compose and create a meaningful shot. You have to start making sure your tripod legs aren't in the frame (more if composing portrait orientation), or even your feet if they are large.
My main wide lenses for landscape / city scape and architecture are the Zeiss Loxia 21 and Sony 16-35 G PZ, but I often find use for wider lenses. I often photograph narrow forests with falling trees, where I like using the Laowa 9mm f/5.6 RL. Sometimes, I use it for architecture as well. But the scenes and compositions have to be cherry-picked to actually work. I use the Sony 14 GM and Sony 24 GM as well when I need the speed. Some choose 12/14-24 over 16-35, but I rather go for the widest and then add a 16-35. I would consider the Laowa 11mm f/4.5 if you want to use circular filters. I don't use filters enough and wanted even wider, so I went for the 9mm. 11mm pairs nicely with 16/17.
Nobody can tell you what focal length you like to shoot, it’s too personal a thing,
One thing you can do is search sites like flicker with the focal lengths (or lenses) you are considering, have a look at the images you think suit your type of photography and you will have the opportunity to shoot and make a decision from there,
Do you use filters? Filters for wider than 16mm can be problematic.
jeffbuzz wrote:
The usefulness of extreme focal lengths entirely depends on what subjects you shoot. For architecture and especially interiors, ultra wides can be the only way to achieve what you need in a single image. Of course you can use pano stitching techniques but that comes with its own set of issues and limitations.
And for deliberately distorting the scene to emphasis one aspect or another. Exactly what I use the Laowa 12mm for (I love that lens but it is really a beast - nearly 1 kg with the Shift Adapter, which makes it a 17mm). It's brilliant for Shanghai's wacky flyovers
In general use 15mm is plenty and I do use it a lot.
Frogfish wrote:
And for deliberately distorting the scene to emphasis one aspect or another. Exactly what I use the Laowa 12mm for (I love that lens but it is really a beast - nearly 1 kg with the Shift Adapter, which makes it a 17mm). It's brilliant for Shanghai's wacky flyovers
In general use 15mm is plenty and I do use it a lot.
Yes, it is funny how super wide lenses can be used for totally opposite effect. Anything in the 12mm range definitely takes extra care in framing to be sure you have the effect you really want. I've accidentally included my own feet on a number of occasions.
Had the Laowa 9mm. It was great for taking interior photos of my rental property for a listing. Thats about it, though. It made the house seem like it was twice the size that it actually was, haha.
Sold it, and bought the 15mm. I take the 15mm on vacation, shoot it 75% of the time in crop mode. But am thankful I have the 15 for those special situations.
