Wide Lenses and Landscapes

The 732 is looking for longer lenses. I'm looking for wider ones. Here's the issue:

After a long series of shots with the Nikon 18-70 AF-S ED IF (er, kit lens) at 18, Rachel and I returned home and discovered to our horrow that the images were soft at 100%.

Of course, we were using a zoom at the extreme end of the range, so that sort of thing is going to happen. We dropped by the local camera shop to try out a Sigma 12-24. It was UTTER RUBBISH. In the middle of the zoom range (at 18, in fact) and stopped down, it there was less detail than the kit lens at 18.

We'll be up in the rockies this summer, and we take a lot of interior photos. Both of these things make us interested in buying a decent wide angle lens. We'd prefer not to spend more than $2000.

The question is: is there a lens that we can get in the 10-18mm range will give us really sharp images, or should we just buy a view camera for wide-angle outdoors shots?

There is indeed. Tamron just introduced a new 10-18mm DI lens (DI is their digitally enhanced and upper end lens). I don't recall where I read it, or what the price will be, but it's one I would consider. Another option would be one made by Sigma. I don't recall the focal length, but I've seen some images done with it and it looked good. I would think either lens will come in under $1000

Is that lens the one that comes in the kit when you purchase the D70 or the upcoming D70s?

http://www.tamron.com/news/35mm/1118di2.asp

http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all_details.asp?id=3236&navigator=1


Those are the zooms. Of course, there are always the wide angle primes to consider. Sigma has several available ( http://www.sigmaphoto.com/lenses/lenses_all.asp )

Is that lens the one that comes in the kit when you purchase the D70


Yup.

OH: have you checked any of these out by any chance?

Sam, I've used a Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 DI lens and it's very good. I can't speak for the others, sorry.

If you are interested in 12-24, tokina has one
12-24mm f/4 and this is better than nikon 12-24 at half the price. around $500.

I have it. I am very happy with it and soon I will be posting pictures from that lens on my site.

Availability is a little limited on this lens as it sells faster than hot cake. I waited for about a month on back order before getting it.

I forgot about the Tokina line. And here you have some first hand experience! I can give you positive second hand reports on the Sigma, but the Tokina is faster.

Difficult range to fill I know, I'm looking at one as well.

A few of the guys are singing the praises of the 12-24 Nikkor.

The Sigma 12-24 has had both good and bad reviews the recommendation was to opt for the 14mm prime for quality. Sigma is also coming out with a 10-20mm lens next month I think.

The Tokina 12-24 seems to being a good bet and I think it's around the $500 mark.

Tamron is coming out with a 11-18/4.5-5.6.

Decisions decisions. :)

I was/am considering the Sigma 15-30mm, ive heard good things about it but now I want to get my hands on one to do a wide range of tests, hmm. Tobad the camera stores in this area doesnt keep this sort of thing in stock usually. That one is like $580us.

I have the Canon EF 17-40 f/4L and it's great. I'd like to go wider sometimes though because of the 1.6 crop factor in the 10D.

12-24, tokina has one

how much is that one?

Oh and how much is this one "TAMRON INTRODUCES SP AF11-18MM F/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD ASPHERICAL (IF) "

depends on where you buy it, 732....go to b&h and check the prices or do a search on google

Ok, gues I have to do my own research ;)

I've heard good things on the Tokina lenses. They're about a third the cost of other lenses too!

Quote:

12-24, tokina has one


how much is that one?



Street price of tokina 12-24 is 499 USD and till date I have not seen any deals on this glass anywhere.

Popphoto is carrying test results of tokina 12-24 and nikkor 12-24 and the SQF data for tokina is very impressive as compared to nikkor.

It seems like it's got to be one of the Sigma 14mm prime, the Tokina, or the Nikon. I'm hesitant to spring for the Tokina without trying it, despite reviews, because I've seen positive reviews for the Sigma 12-24 and found the copy that I tried patetically, laughably, horribly lacking.

I'm looking forward to seeing some tokina shots nevertheless, particularly if you wouldn't mind providing some 100% crops for sharpness checking purposes...

How does Tokina compare & rank up against Tamron and Sigma?

Has anyone read a review by any of the photo magazines on these lenses?

How does Tokina compare & rank up against Tamron and Sigma?


I think it would be difficult to generalize on the manufacturer as each piece of glass they proiduce would be different.