Tell me what wide angle to buy

Bigfoot424Bigfoot424 Registered Users Posts: 14 Big grins
edited August 10, 2011 in Accessories
Sorry if this is in the wrong spot. I lost my laptop to a crash sometime back and lost the site and just relocated it. I am not a pro but I do love taking pics. I have a Nikon D 90 and use a Sigma 18-200 lens for everyday use. The wife and I are taking a Cali vacation later this year for the first time and plan on seeing the PCH and Yosemite amongst other sites. I'd like to buy a wide angle lens but don't want to spend top dollar since I am a lousy amateur at best. Is $300 for a used lens workable or am I kidding myself? Any suggestions on what I should be buying?

Thanks

Comments

  • ziggy53ziggy53 Super Moderators Posts: 24,133 moderator
    edited July 2, 2011
    I am very happy using a Sigma 10-20mm, f4-5.6 EX DC HSM for vista landscapes and some architectural images. You should be able to find a good used copy for around your price range.

    Yes, there are better super-wide zooms available for your camera but they would generally cost quite a bit more.
    ziggy53
    Moderator of the Cameras and Accessories forums
  • Bigfoot424Bigfoot424 Registered Users Posts: 14 Big grins
    edited July 3, 2011
    Thanks Ziggy.
  • Matthew SavilleMatthew Saville Registered Users, Retired Mod Posts: 3,352 Major grins
    edited July 6, 2011
    ziggy53 wrote: »
    I am very happy using a Sigma 10-20mm, f4-5.6 EX DC HSM for vista landscapes and some architectural images. You should be able to find a good used copy for around your price range.

    Yes, there are better super-wide zooms available for your camera but they would generally cost quite a bit more.
    I would beg to differ, Ziggy, not with your recommendation of the 10-20 but actually with your statement about there being better super-wides available!

    Especially "for your camera", which in this case is a Nikon D90, a crop sensor camera. ...There ain't many lenses better than the Sigma 10-20 for ultra-wide, stopped-down landscapes on a crop sensor!

    Of course, I know what you mean, a full-frame ultra-wide on a full-frame DSLR body could probably achieve higher acuity, especially in the extreme corners. Honestly though, if I were traveling the country then at least some of the time I would definitely prefer a smaller, lighter setup than for example a D3X and a Nikon 14-24. OUCH I can't imagine lugging that setup down a trail for miles. I'm much more of a Galen Rowell type, packing lightweight-but-sharp equipment and making the most of my location and timing.

    Personally, if I were thinking of the ULTIMATE travel setup, it would probably be not far off from what "Bigfoot" is considering- I'd get a Nikon D7000 and a Tokina 11-16, which is also a crop-sensor setup. (I'd get the Tokina 11-16 only because I like to do star photos at night, otherwise I'd definitely rather have the Sigma 10-20 4.5-5.6 for it's added range and equal sharpness...)

    Good luck deciding what to buy, Bigfoot!
    =Matt=
    “My first thought is always of light.” – Galen Rowell
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  • redleashredleash Registered Users Posts: 3,840 Major grins
    edited July 7, 2011
    I agree on the Sigma 10-20 that Ziggy listed. I use it on my D80 and D300S and it works well. There is noticeable distortion at the widest angle but you just have to watch for that. I think it's an excellent choice for going really wide.

    Lauren
    "But ask the animals, and they will teach you." (Job 12:7)

    Lauren Blackwell
    www.redleashphoto.com
  • Jason HermannJason Hermann Registered Users Posts: 220 Major grins
    edited July 8, 2011
    I have the sigma 10-20mm as well! Killer lens for the money on a crop factor body like yours !

    Best,
    Jay
    SonyAlphaLab.com
    JHPVideoTutorials.com - Free Photography Tutorials


  • Bigfoot424Bigfoot424 Registered Users Posts: 14 Big grins
    edited July 11, 2011
    Thanks all for this info.
  • Manfr3dManfr3d Registered Users Posts: 2,008 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2011
    The sigma is good indeed but starts to shine at f/8 really.
    “To consult the rules of composition before making a picture is a little like consulting the law of gravitation before going for a walk.”
    ― Edward Weston
  • ImageX PhotographyImageX Photography Registered Users Posts: 528 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2011
    I have the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 and I'm quite happy with it. I'd love to check out the Sigma 10-20mm though.... for some reason. headscratch.gif

    I make a lot of money with my Tokina... from real estate shoots.
  • MomaZunkMomaZunk Registered Users Posts: 421 Major grins
    edited July 13, 2011
    Before I purchased my Tokina 11-16 2.8, I rented it for 2 weeks for ~ $100 from Borrowlenses.com.

    I then purchased it before my next trip.

    You probably will not find the tokina used, and then it would be above your price range ~$600.
    Dee Zunker

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  • ImageX PhotographyImageX Photography Registered Users Posts: 528 Major grins
    edited July 14, 2011
    MomaZunk wrote: »
    Before I purchased my Tokina 11-16 2.8, I rented it for 2 weeks for ~ $100 from Borrowlenses.com.

    I then purchased it before my next trip.

    You probably will not find the tokina used, and then it would be above your price range ~$600.

    You can find them cheaper used. They are $600-650 brand new... not for used. I called my local camera shop to see if they had any new ones or better yet a used one. They didn't have any new ones and I TOTALLY lucked out. A customer just traded one in hours earlier that day. Mint condition $475.
  • rpcrowerpcrowe Registered Users Posts: 733 Major grins
    edited July 16, 2011
    12-24mm f/4 Tokina MkII
    I enjoy the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 MkI on my crop Canon camera (it is also made for Nikon). I have never experienced problems with flare and I like both the build and image quality of this lens. However, some folks have reported flare problems and Tokina introduced the MkII version to remedy this supposed problem.

    I also like the 12-24mm f/4 Tokina because it COULD possibly limp along as a mid-range zoom if my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens went down for some reason.

    The MkII or especially the MkI version can be had used for around $300...
  • Mathieu05Mathieu05 Registered Users Posts: 203 Major grins
    edited August 5, 2011
    I have the Canon EF-s 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM. i really love this one when use with my EOS 50D. this can't be used with a FF camera body coz this is a Short-Back canon lens. but since you are Nikon user, the Sigma and Tokina are really good, considering Tokina Engineers were once Nikon engineers. :)
    Chris Odchigue | Photography

    “There is only you and your camera. The limitations in your photography are in yourself, for what we see is what we are.”
  • time2smiletime2smile Registered Users Posts: 835 Major grins
    edited August 6, 2011
    rpcrowe wrote: »
    I enjoy the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 MkI on my crop Canon camera (it is also made for Nikon). I have never experienced problems with flare and I like both the build and image quality of this lens. However, some folks have reported flare problems and Tokina introduced the MkII version to remedy this supposed problem.

    I also like the 12-24mm f/4 Tokina because it COULD possibly limp along as a mid-range zoom if my 17-55mm f/2.8 IS lens went down for some reason.

    The MkII or especially the MkI version can be had used for around $300...

    I have the 12-24 with a D90, nice choice, and used it will be in your budget, two different versions for Nikon, with HSM and without, i have the without. Built like a tank...
    Ted....
    It's not what you look at that matters: Its what you see!
    Nikon
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  • SequoiaSequoia Registered Users Posts: 20 Big grins
    edited August 7, 2011
    MomaZunk wrote: »
    Before I purchased my Tokina 11-16 2.8, I rented it for 2 weeks for ~ $100 from Borrowlenses.com.

    I then purchased it before my next trip.

    You probably will not find the tokina used, and then it would be above your price range ~$600.

    Just saw one barely used here, for $450 a few days ago. Hard not to buy it, because it's the next one I'm getting for forest tree photos. But the 24-105mm cleaned my photography fund about a month ago.

    The Tokina 12-24mm is more than wide enough, and that's what I have right now. But the 2.8 of the 11-16mm should prove useful. I may keep the 12-24mm even after getting the 11-16mm.
    Trees & Forest

    M. D. Vaden Home & Portland Photographer

  • Tee WhyTee Why Registered Users Posts: 2,390 Major grins
    edited August 10, 2011
    I think $300 is a bit too low for a used ultrawide lens. I like the idea of renting one though.
    As for which one to take, I personally like the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 the best of the one's I've owned/tried (sigma 10-20, canon 10-24, tokina 12-24, and tokina 11-16 for it's superior resolution).
    Good luck.
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