DPChallenge: A Digital Photography Contest You are not logged in. (log in or register
 

DPChallenge Forums >> Hardware and Software >> wide-angle lens
Pages:  
Showing posts 1 - 12 of 12, (reverse)
AuthorThread
05/17/2008 05:33:49 PM · #1
Hi guys, I wanted to get the community's opinion.

I'm looking to buy a super wide-angle lens for under $400. I mostly want it to take pictures of landscapes and as a walk-around lens in the city. Note: I currently have a Tamron 28-75, Sigma 70-300mm, and Canon 50mm.

I'm considering:
[$288] Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4
[$335] Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC
[$364] Tamron Wide Zoom SP AF XR Di II LD 17-50 Lens For Canon
[$440] Sigma Ultra-Wide Zoom EX DC HSM 10-20mm Lens For Canon

What do you guys recommend? Also, will 17mm be wide enough for landscape photography? Because that's principally what I'm lacking now - my widest lens starts at 28mm. I have a hard time deciding what focal range I need.
05/17/2008 05:40:22 PM · #2
You have the 20D and that has a sensor of something like 1:6, so even if you get a 17mm, it's going to be bumped up to about 23mm. (I'm horrible at math) So the wider lens the better, since your camera is going to take away a few mm's. I would go with the sigma 10-20mm because it will give you the widest view out of the bunch. You should also look these lenses up on DPC and see what photos have been shot with them. That always helps me!
05/17/2008 05:54:06 PM · #3
The only one of those listed that's *truly* WA for 20D is the Sigma 10-20mm. If it were up to me, I'd go the extra bucks and get the Canon 10-22mm, a truly exceptional performer that holds its resale value...

R.
05/17/2008 06:14:48 PM · #4
I'll second bears motion---good stuff
05/17/2008 07:00:25 PM · #5
I have both the Tamron 17-35mm & Canon 10-22.

I had the Tamron first, as my budget was tight and I loved it within an inch of it's life - GRIN!

It was a wonderful lens - for the time I used it.

Admittedly since receiving the 10-22 last August my Tamron 17-35 has done nothing but become an expensive paper weight!

The Canon 10-22 is YUMMY! Don't know anything about the Sigma - but I'd buy the Canon again and again - GRIN!

Message edited by author 2008-05-17 19:01:08.
05/17/2008 09:53:44 PM · #6
I'm waiting for the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8.

Up until now every UWA has been a severe disappointment.

bazz.
05/18/2008 12:44:14 AM · #7
super wides (10-22, 12024 tokina, etc) are lousy landscape lenses - too much distortion and not pin sharp across the field of view (really noticeable if you take night shots of a city)

So I'd suggest something in the 17 or 24 to something range. Since you'll be shooting at 5.6 or better you don't need a fast lens.
So....Tamron 24-135 SP. Under $400, super sharp and it's parfocal - meaning you can zoom in and focus, zoom out and it holds the focus point - great for night shooting!
05/18/2008 12:55:11 AM · #8
Then why are you trying to sell yours? :-)

(I'm referring to the Tamron 24-135)
05/18/2008 01:15:14 AM · #9
Originally posted by heatherd:

Then why are you trying to sell yours? :-)

(I'm referring to the Tamron 24-135)


I don't do landscapes any more. It's a great lens, but doesn't fit my shooting needs anymore. I more or less replaced it with the canon 28-135 that came with my 40D as the kit lens, but i'm even selling that. I shoot people and like to shoot wide open with fast lenses. Even for studio work I'm not shooting much above F4. And I'm slowly going to all L lenses as well for the look they give an image, for durability and weather sealing when I can get it. Unfortunately no one makes the lens I want so I've come to terms that i'll not have a 'walk around lens' any more.

My assistant just bought a rebel 300 from someone here and he's probably going to take the tamron lens off my hands - it's all for his fiance'.
05/18/2008 02:32:47 AM · #10
Originally posted by jibbyvonjibb:

Hi guys, I wanted to get the community's opinion.

I'm looking to buy a super wide-angle lens for under $400. I mostly want it to take pictures of landscapes and as a walk-around lens in the city. Note: I currently have a Tamron 28-75, Sigma 70-300mm, and Canon 50mm.

I'm considering:
[$288] Tamron Zoom Super Wide Angle SP AF 17-35mm f/2.8-4
[$335] Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle AF 17-70mm f/2.8-4.5 DC
[$364] Tamron Wide Zoom SP AF XR Di II LD 17-50 Lens For Canon
[$440] Sigma Ultra-Wide Zoom EX DC HSM 10-20mm Lens For Canon

What do you guys recommend? Also, will 17mm be wide enough for landscape photography? Because that's principally what I'm lacking now - my widest lens starts at 28mm. I have a hard time deciding what focal range I need.

With the 1.6 crop factor of the 20D, a 17mm lens is actually a 27mm lens. That's very close to the standard focal length for any camera with an APS-C sensor (approx 24mm x 16mm). IOW, a 17mm lens on a 20D isn't wide angle at all.

I suggest the Canon 10-22 lens. My wife has one for her 350XT and it's a very good lens. Not 'L' quality perhaps, but then again it doesn't cost like an 'L' lens either. If you can't stretch your budget that much, then go for the Sigma 10-20.

Mick
05/18/2008 08:01:21 AM · #11
I know it is not on your list, but I would recommend the Tokina 10-17 over all of those.

the 10mm end gives a true fisheye effect while anything from 12-17 will provide true wide angle.

This lens is excellent for sharpness. For the price, there is no better wide angle on the market. Versatile, sharp, good color. I paid around $450 for mine.

I really enjoy mine.
05/18/2008 08:37:17 AM · #12
I'd second recommendations for the wider canon 10-22 or sigma 10-20. Also worth bearing in mind is that two new UWA lenses are soon to be introduced - the Tokia 11-16 f2.8 and the Tamron 10-24mm.
Pages:  
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 02:05:30 AM

Please log in or register to post to the forums.


Home - Challenges - Community - League - Photos - Cameras - Lenses - Learn - Prints! - Help - Terms of Use - Privacy - Top ^
DPChallenge, and website content and design, Copyright © 2001-2024 Challenging Technologies, LLC.
All digital photo copyrights belong to the photographers and may not be used without permission.
Current Server Time: 03/29/2024 02:05:30 AM EDT.