Which wide angle lens? - DPChallenge Forums

07/13/2006 09:37:27 PM · #1

I have a Nikon D50, and the following lenses
Nikon 50mm f1.8
Tamron 28-75mm f2.8
Sigma 105mm f2.8 macro

So, I dont have anything in the wide angle range (below 28mm), nor in the long telephoto range. Now, I really want a nice wide angle lense, for landscapes, architecture, kids shots, etc....Of course, the price counts, but its not the most critical thing.

I've been considering the following -

-Tokina 12-24.....my first choice, but BH Photo are out of stock, just when I wanted to combine the international shipping charges to Australia with my other order I'm making with them.....grr.
-Sigma 10-20......but I hear that some of them are not sharp, depending on what you get. And its a bit more expensive, and a bit slower.
-Nikon 18-200VR.....it would be nice to have telephoto coverage at the same time, although I'd prefer a faster lens than 3.5-5.6. Does that matter, once I have the VR? If I get this, should I sell my Tamron?
-or, should I just get a 2nd hand Nikon 18-70?
-or even splurge, and get a Nikon 12-24? Can I justify it being twice the price of the Tokina?

07/13/2006 09:42:15 PM · #2

Tokina 12 - 24

mmmmm-mmmmmmmm tasty-sweet lens. It has become my standard-carry lens. I love it. I love-love it. I cannot recommend it any more highly.

Of course I've yet to use the others, and that sigma has 2mm on the Tokina - which can be significant.

Still, I Lllllllllllllllllllllllllooooooooooooooovve the Tokina.

The Results

07/13/2006 09:43:41 PM · #3

Also - I got mine from sigma4less.com

I have not had a problem with them, but don't know how they handle international. You could wait a year and lentil could bring one back for you :)

07/13/2006 09:48:04 PM · #4

I tend to agree with you, Alfresco, that's my number one consideration. And I am pleased to hear the Sigma4less recommendation.....I see they have them in stock too.

wavelength

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/13/2006 09:54:16 PM · #5

I have the Sigma 10-20. Pretty sweet lens, and I love the 15mm. Lurve it.

I have heard that the 12-24 is a wee bit better optically though.

07/13/2006 10:00:25 PM · #6

Originally posted by wavelength:

I have the Sigma 10-20. Pretty sweet lens, and I love the 15mm. Lurve it.

I have heard that the 12-24 is a wee bit better optically though.

Last fall I was flipping through the Big Three (Tokina, Sigma, Nikkor) and finally decided on the Tokina. I sometimes pine for those 2mm the Sigma has on it, but that just means the 3rd lens down the road is going to be a wide fisheye :)

trnqlty

Nikon D90

07/13/2006 10:08:08 PM · #7

Originally posted by alfresco:

Couldn't agree more. I recomend it every time I get a chance.

Lytro Illum Light Field Digital

07/13/2006 10:16:30 PM · #8

You guys are making things easier for me, all agreeing on this. See, this is why I like DPC.......thanks!

yakatme

Nikon AF-S Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D IF-ED

07/13/2006 10:45:36 PM · #9

One more vote for the Tokina 12-24. I've had it for about 5 months and I love it.

You also mentioned in your initial post the lack of a long telephoto. I've had the Nikon 70-200 VR for almost a year and it's great too.

I'll let you know about the Nikon 80-400 VR when I get a chance to use it when it stops raining...maybe this weekend.

alanfreed

Nikon Z9

07/13/2006 10:50:52 PM · #10

I just got the Sigma 10-20... very fun lens!

07/13/2006 11:04:48 PM · #11

I see that these two, Tokina 12-24 F4, and Sigma 10-20 f4-5.6, are both the same price, at Sigma4Less.
Soo, the way I see it, I face a tradeoff, between the extra 2mm width of the sigma (fun, but will I really miss it if I dont have it), vs the slightly wider aperture (and better optical quality?), of the tokina.
Is that about right?

07/13/2006 11:07:09 PM · #12

I also liked the constant F/ of the Tokina, but I'm funny that way.

I think, no matter which you get, you're going to love it. And I do pine for those 2mm :\

jbsmithana

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

07/13/2006 11:12:59 PM · #13

I see you have pretty good glass. I would stay with good glass and get the Nikon. The Tokina is not bad and would be my second choice. The Nikon has better build, lightening fast silent focus and is a bit sharper. But of course that comes at a cost.

Just my opinion.

P.S. - the Nikon 18-70 or 18-200 will not substitute for these lenses. And on the long end it is still shorter than you would want if you get into photography that requires long lenses.

Message edited by author 2006-07-13 23:14:30.

wavelength

Nikon AF Nikkor 50mm f/1.8D

07/13/2006 11:13:13 PM · #14

Originally posted by Sinky:

You know, I think I hardly ever use the 10-20 on anything but f/22 and 10mm.

Hmmm, maybe I should try f/5.6 for a change.

Nikon AF Zoom-Nikkor 70-200mm f/2.8 VR DG IF-ED

07/13/2006 11:22:10 PM · #15

Thanks for that JB (and everyone else). I value you telling me that the 18-70, or 18-200 would not quite substitute. This is precisely the advice I've come in search of, and does help me choose.

Yes, I have tried to get good glass, from the outset, even to the point of choosing a more modest camera body (D50) in the beginning. But I'm just not sure that I'd go for the Nikon 12-24, and pay double, for what I think would only be a slight quality gain over the others.

Kronus

Nikon D7000

07/13/2006 11:26:39 PM · #16

got the sigma and i love it

jbsmithana

Nikon AF-S DX Zoom Nikkor 12-24mm f/4.0G IF-ED

07/13/2006 11:27:28 PM · #17

Originally posted by Sinky:

I hear you. It is always a compromise. Like you Tamron, way less ($1,000) than the Nikon version!

robs

Canon EOS R6 Mk II

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

07/14/2006 12:45:13 AM · #18

Tokina for sure on Nikon. I just went thru the same questions and ended up going for the Canon 10-22 but the Tokina was very close and in some ways better then the Canon. If it was as wide as the Canon I would have went with it.

rjkstesch