Wide angle (24 or wider) for DX camera

frons

Now that I have my D200, I'm finding my Nikkor 24, an effective 36, not wide enough for landscapes and interiors. I also want this lens to do double-duty taking photos of my kids indoors, so good AF performance is a must even though it's immaterial for tripod-mounted shooting.

I've been researching current and older lenses to find something suitable, but most don't reach the 24mm equivalent. So far, here's what I'm leaning toward.

Tokina 19-35 3.5-4.5 $135
This is an older lens, but very inexpensive, and may be wide enough for my purposes, as long as AF performance is up to par.

Tamron 17-35 2.8-4 $299
This lens is slightly wider, slightly faster, and new copies are still available, but cost more than twice the Tokina.

Tamron 17-50 2.8 $399
With a faster constant aperture, this Tamron has a wider range and gets good reviews, though it costs one-third more than the 17-35. At this price, I'd really prefer something wider. I have also read enough reports of bad AF performance or unsharpness that finding a good copy may be a challenge.

The Tokina 11-16 is a lens that is on my radar for the future, but is a bit wide for interior shots of kids where a longer focal length would be handy. Price vs performance is important to me, so I'm leaning toward the Tokina unless someone can convince me otherwise.

Is there a lens that I'm missing or that anyone would recommend?

Cygnus Studios

There is a long list, but if I had to narrow down the list, Nikkor 12-24mm, Nikkor 14-24mm, Tamron 17-35mm, Sigma 12-24

ziggy53

Frons,

It sounds like you are looking for a "standard" zoom, as opposed to a "super-wide" zoom.

Of your list the Tamron 17-50mm, f/2.8 XR Di II is a very good performer.

Nikon would rather you purchase the Nikkor 17-55mm, f/2.8G ED-IF AF-S DX and it is a splendid lens, if a bit pricey. The Sigma 18-50mm, f2.8 EX DC Macro is also a pretty good lens (I have the previous version) but I think the Tamron is better.

frons

Cygnus Studios wrote:

There is a long list, but if I had to narrow down the list, Nikkor 12-24mm, Nikkor 14-24mm, Tamron 17-35mm, Sigma 12-24

I'll check some of these out. May have to wait for a tax refund, though.

ziggy53 wrote:

Frons,
It sounds like you are looking for a "standard" zoom, as opposed to a "super-wide" zoom.

Yeah, the standard 24-70 range for ff isn't represented very well in lenses available for dx. I need an AF lens that works well so my wife can use the D200 like an oversized p&s.

Art Scott

Cygnus Studios wrote:

There is a long list, but if I had to narrow down the list, Nikkor 12-24mm, Nikkor 14-24mm, Tamron 17-35mm, Sigma 12-24

Do not forget the siggy 17-70 (25.5 - 105 equiv) f2,8-4.5 .... haven't seen a bad report done yet....................