Best superwide prime for 1.6 crops...

Plasmodium

I've read Andy's recs about the 5D/Zeiss 21 combo for landscapes. What about for 1.6 crops? Over the next year or so I'll probably decide between the 5D and the 20D's successor, and the one thing I really like about the 1.6 crop effect is that it avoids the light fall-off and edge softness that one can see on 35mm and full frame. So if I go for the 20D's successor, what would you suggest as the best prime out there that is wider than, say, 18mm? My Tokina 12-24 is fine, but I'd love some unimpeachable prime at the wider end of that. Thanks!

gtc

me too!
so many varying reports about the super wide zooms such as the tamron and sigmas-i want a superwide prime ,say 10 or 15mm but all that seems to be out there at that focal length are fisheyes,not rectalinear primes.if anyone can point us in the right direction i would be happy

Plasmodium wrote:

I've read Andy's recs about the 5D/Zeiss 21 combo for landscapes. What about for 1.6 crops? Over the next year or so I'll probably decide between the 5D and the 20D's successor, and the one thing I really like about the 1.6 crop effect is that it avoids the light fall-off and edge softness that one can see on 35mm and full frame. So if I go for the 20D's successor, what would you suggest as the best prime out there that is wider than, say, 18mm? My Tokina 12-24 is fine, but I'd love some unimpeachable prime at the wider end of that. Thanks!

Plasmodium

Yeah, Canon makes a $1700 14mm f/2.8L prime, but I haven't read the most glowing things about it. I think the hordes of L-groupies over on FM forums expect a superwide prime to perform as well corner to corner as the longer primes.

Osprey Whisperer

I know a fellow shooter (Nikonian type) that swears by his Sigma 14mm f/3.5. (it's no longer made...so you'll have to pick one up used). Sigma's 14mm f/2.8 is the current version and supposedly the same quality lens but faster This guy says his lens is tack sharp and little to no CA/flair/very little linear distortion. I've hear this lens has very minor softness wide open at extreme edges though. Lens supposedly has good color/contrast also (take with several grains of salt...as I'm sure it has it's flaws like all lenses) Might do a google search for reviews. I have not looked into this lens too deeply , yet. I wish Canon had a nice ultra wide prime that kicked butt for a decent price.


MM