oh and ziggy, whats ur opinion on the AT-X116PRDXC AT-X PRO DX 11-16mm, i've read a lot of goods and bads about this lense
any input would be great thanx
Both lenses give around twice normal field of view (FOV) at 17mm. Anything wider than this and people will distort noticeably.
The Tokina AT-X116PRDXC AT-X PRO DX 11-16mm, f2.8 is supposed to be a very nice super-wide zoom, mostly used for vista landscapes. It's fairly pricey and I wound up with the Sigma 10-20mm, f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for a bit less. I am pleased with the performance of the Sigma for its intended use.
Frosty, what do you currently have for lenses? Are you shooting portraits, group and non-group, a lot? In a group, how many people are in the group? Studio or candid? Do you have a sampling of your shots that you can post here to give everyone an idea of what you are looking to achieve?
The only additions I have to the list Ziggy gave, are the 35mm f/2 new, or a used Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8D AF Zoom
A tokina 11-16mm is a great lens IMO. I've one for a Canon mount.
However, unless it's a group shot of a lot of people or an environmental portrait where the whole person and the background is included to show the person's background, I wouldn't recommend it for the typical portraits, which tend to be headshots, head and shoulder, and maybe 1/2 body shots.
The lens is very sharp with great colors and a fast aperture. Only downside is that it has poor flare control when shooting into a very bright source like the sun.
I think a 17-50mm zoom would make a better all around lens that you can use for portraits as well. If the Nikon version is expensive, a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 at about $450 maybe a better option. I also had that lens and found it's optics to be stellar.
im also looking to add the tokina 11-16mm aswell as a tamron 90mm di to my lense collection.
i think my 105mm is better suited for portraits rather than macro thus i wanna get the tamron.
the tokina i wanna use to shoot landscapes.
i mostly shoot macro, a little portrait, and a little landscape. would it be wise to own the nikkor 105mm vr aswell as the tamron 90mm Di? is that something ppl would do...
Portraits, I would use the Nikon 50mm f1.8 for 109.95 plus s&h or 85mm f1.8 for $399.95 new.
Inexpensive wide angle for landscapes, you can go with the Nikon 20mm f2.8 for $489.95
I've used these with both a D1h and D50 and get nice results from them, got them used, from several places, and yup, I'm just an amateur too. You should have no trouble with your D80 and these.
Comments
If you are talking about the Tokina AT-X116PRDXC AT-X PRO DX 11-16mm, not for most portrait situations.
For a portrait lens on the D80 (and other crop 1.5x/1.6x cameras) I suggest:
Recommended portrait lenses on (crop 1.5x) Nikon are:
Nikkor 85mm f/1.4D AF IF
Nikkor 85mm f/1.8D AF
Nikkor 50mm f/1.4D AF
Nikon 50mm f/1.8D AF
The 85mm lenses are nice for head-and-shoulders and outdoors or where you have more room.
Other lenses and third party lenses are available, but these are the Nikon brand recommendations.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
what if i wanted to shoot a group photo, what lense is better suited?
thats why i asked about the tokina in the first place.
any input would be great thanx
On a crop Nikon camera I recommend either:
Nikkor 17-55mm, f/2.8G AF-S DX IF-ED
Tamron SP AF 17-50mm, f/2.8 XR DI-II LD Aspherical (IF)
Both lenses give around twice normal field of view (FOV) at 17mm. Anything wider than this and people will distort noticeably.
The Tokina AT-X116PRDXC AT-X PRO DX 11-16mm, f2.8 is supposed to be a very nice super-wide zoom, mostly used for vista landscapes. It's fairly pricey and I wound up with the Sigma 10-20mm, f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM for a bit less. I am pleased with the performance of the Sigma for its intended use.
Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
The only additions I have to the list Ziggy gave, are the 35mm f/2 new, or a used Nikon 35-70mm f/2.8D AF Zoom
However, unless it's a group shot of a lot of people or an environmental portrait where the whole person and the background is included to show the person's background, I wouldn't recommend it for the typical portraits, which tend to be headshots, head and shoulder, and maybe 1/2 body shots.
The lens is very sharp with great colors and a fast aperture. Only downside is that it has poor flare control when shooting into a very bright source like the sun.
I think a 17-50mm zoom would make a better all around lens that you can use for portraits as well. If the Nikon version is expensive, a Tamron 17-50mm f2.8 at about $450 maybe a better option. I also had that lens and found it's optics to be stellar.
i would like to shoot a group photo of maybe 3 or more ppl in it.
i'm just an amature, no studio or anything like that.
i think my 105mm is better suited for portraits rather than macro thus i wanna get the tamron.
the tokina i wanna use to shoot landscapes.
i mostly shoot macro, a little portrait, and a little landscape. would it be wise to own the nikkor 105mm vr aswell as the tamron 90mm Di? is that something ppl would do...
Inexpensive wide angle for landscapes, you can go with the Nikon 20mm f2.8 for $489.95
I've used these with both a D1h and D50 and get nice results from them, got them used, from several places, and yup, I'm just an amateur too. You should have no trouble with your D80 and these.
btw great shots, are these your toys