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DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> Canon, need a sharp wide angle
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Showing posts 1 - 17 of 17, (reverse)
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 01/19/2011 10:28:11 PM · #1
Ok, so I am looking for a really good wide angle that is sharp. I have the Tamron 10-24 but it just isnt sharp. I need it for shooting larger groups and when I dont have the space to use a 50mm or higher.
01/19/2011 10:35:22 PM · #2
I have researched this quite a bit. I compared the Tamron (10-24), Sigma (10-22 and 8-16), Tokina (11-16), and Canon 10-24. I've narrowed it down to either the Tokina or Canon. I haven't owned anything other than Canon lenses, and the USM motor there sounds great (the USM on my 15-85 is unbelievable). But the Tokina sounds like it wins on sharpness and is a straight f/2.8, which is impossible to beat on these ultra-wides.

I know that doesn't give you an answer, but maybe a bit more helpful info.
 01/19/2011 10:36:59 PM · #3
if you are shooting large groups, you should be shooting at F11 or so. Most any decent lens will be sharp at that aperture. What are the settings you are using for your groups that you aren't getting sharp photos.
 01/19/2011 10:49:17 PM · #4
I haven't had any complaints about the sharpness of the 10-24, in fact it's my sharpest lens. It does get a little softer toward the outer edges, but that is normal for any ultra wide.
 01/20/2011 01:46:59 AM · #5
I was thinking of an L series perhaps. And I will definitely start shooting at a higher fstop. I guess I should have tested that aspect out to see what my sharpest setting should be.

I fail as a photog
 01/20/2011 07:41:25 AM · #6
In an L series, your choices are the 16-35 f2.8 or the 17-40 f4. Obviously not as wide as the other lenses being mentioned, but you can't get that wide in an L.

I got the 17-40 for Christmas, but I haven't had much of an opportunity to play with it yet so I can't comment on it's sharpness. Reviews were very good and it is about half the cost of the 16-35.

17-40 Review
16-35 Review
 01/20/2011 09:20:58 AM · #7
if 15mm is wide enough..

Go for the 15-85 EF-S.... Quality is excellent.
 01/20/2011 10:45:03 AM · #8
Canon EF-S 10-22 is a wonderful lens though not an L.
 01/20/2011 11:19:06 AM · #9
I'll second the EF-S 10-22 - beautiful focus range and sharp exposures - though be wary if you plan to upgrade to a 5D or 1Ds later, it is an EF-S lens and wont work on a full frame sensor.
 01/20/2011 12:02:53 PM · #10
Are you sure such a wide lens is going to solve your problems? Shooting groups you are going to have a fair amount of lateral distortion at ultra-wide focal lengths. It will be mitigated some from the crop sensor, but was that your actual issue with the Tamron? Was it only on the sides you were getting softness?
 01/20/2011 12:14:34 PM · #11
thats the other problem is that I get a lot of distortion when I get into the extreme wide angles. So, a wide angle that doesnt have a lot of distortion is what Im looking for. I dont need anything extremely wide like the 10-22 or anything.

What Im thinking of doing is just shooting them with my zoom and then stitching them together in photoshop like you would with a panorama. Ive seen a few people do that before.
 01/20/2011 12:16:25 PM · #12
Originally posted by mgarsteck:
...So, a wide angle that doesnt have a lot of distortion is what Im looking for. ...


You, me, and everybody else. I'm not sure such a critter really exists.
 01/20/2011 12:21:47 PM · #13
so what do you guys do when shooting groups then? I liked my 18-55 but it died on me, it was what I used to use for group stuff.
 01/20/2011 12:50:07 PM · #14
Originally posted by mgarsteck:
so what do you guys do when shooting groups then? I liked my 18-55 but it died on me, it was what I used to use for group stuff.


Back up? :)
 01/20/2011 01:10:48 PM · #15
Originally posted by mgarsteck:
so what do you guys do when shooting groups then? I liked my 18-55 but it died on me, it was what I used to use for group stuff.


The 10-22 is perfectly comfortable at the 15-18mm range, so don't let the so-called "wide angle distortion" put you off; it's nice to have the extra coverage when you absolutely need it.

As just one example, at 10mm the angular coverage on the short dimension is about the same as the angular coverage at 15mm on the wide dimension. So if you find yourself in a position where you're trying to compose a horizontal image at 15mm and having to pint the camera up to get the right framing, thereby giving yourself unacceptable keystoning (converging verticals), then what you do is flip the camera to vertical orientation, zoom out to 10mm, and compose with a massive amount of excess foreground and crop to horizontal in post.

That's the poor man's tilt/shift...

Regarding the so-called "wide angle distortion", it isn't really distortion. "Distortion" is properly used to describe negative optical characteristics like barrel distortion and pincushioning. This effect of having shapes look stretched at the edges of the image is a physical characteristic, it's how a shape renders when viewed obliquely. There's absolutely nothing that can be done about it at the lens-design end, it's immutable. The wider the angle of view, the more stretching there is at the edges of the field of view.

You CAN correct it, up to a point, in post. You can compress the horizontal dimension so the image views at a lower aspect ratio. But when you do that, the things in the center that were normally rendered look too skinny. So it's a balancing act.

Stitching multiple exposures together is REALLY problematical in photography of groups, because invariably there are issues with changing expressions and poses between frames.

R.
 01/20/2011 02:28:20 PM · #16
Originally posted by mgarsteck:
thats the other problem is that I get a lot of distortion when I get into the extreme wide angles. So, a wide angle that doesnt have a lot of distortion is what Im looking for. I dont need anything extremely wide like the 10-22 or anything.

What Im thinking of doing is just shooting them with my zoom and then stitching them together in photoshop like you would with a panorama. Ive seen a few people do that before.


Again, the 15-85 EF-S - excellent optical quality, grand IS, good build, nice value, etc. The ONE bad thing is a somewhat strong vignette...
 01/20/2011 03:12:40 PM · #17
I'm with Cory on this one.
If you have been using the 18-55 previously and were happy with it, go for the 15-85.
Gives you just a bit more wide and some length
An excellent lens.
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