Author Topic: Wide(r) lenses? (Read 3929 times)

zpyder · **on:** February 03, 2011, 15:22:09 PM

Wide(r) lenses?

on: February 03, 2011, 15:22:09 PM

So I just had a call from one of the acts that was playing on Sunday and I've been asked if I would be interested in doing more. Which I am. Problem is the zoom lens didn't really cut the mustard indoors, and the 50mm was far too limiting.

I've not been entirely happy with the 17-85mm to be honest so am thinking of selling it and the 70-300mm I have (not worth much)

Question is can anyone recommend a good, fast, and wide lens that would cover the kind of kit-lens range of 17-55mm? I know Binary has a Tamron...?

Mongoose · **Reply #1 on:** February 03, 2011, 17:42:04 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #1 on: February 03, 2011, 17:42:04 PM

The Tamron 28-75 f/2.8 used to have something of a cult following and the 17-50 f/2.8 was built to replace it for APS-C cameras so I'd expect it to be pretty good.

My Dad has a Sigma 24-60 f/2.8 which is very nice, although not quite as wide and a little tricky to come by as they replaced it with a 24-70 which isn't quite as good.

If 24mm is wide enough and you fancy sacreficing versitility for speed, there's always the Sigma Ex 24mm f/1.8

Eggtastico · **Reply #2 on:** February 03, 2011, 17:59:20 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #2 on: February 03, 2011, 17:59:20 PM

Tokina 11-16 2.8 fixed, fast & sharper than anything.. the extra width & distrortion might put you off.. personally, I love the samples.
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=502308
canon 10-22
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=312255
sigma 10-20
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=143064

you might also want to consider a tokina 12-24 = supposedly not as good as the 11-16
http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=160701

I personally want the tokina 11-16. It suits my style more. - Its not suitable for full frame camera's though.
Alternative if money is tight, look at the 18-55 IS kit lens - the IS version is supposedly be really good for the money (less than £100)

Last Edit: February 03, 2011, 18:06:41 PM by Eggtastico #187;

soopahfly · **Reply #3 on:** February 03, 2011, 18:28:00 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #3 on: February 03, 2011, 18:28:00 PM

I've got a Cosina 17:35, no idea what the pictures look like through it though!

Mongoose · **Reply #4 on:** February 03, 2011, 19:10:22 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #4 on: February 03, 2011, 19:10:22 PM

I think one of the problems with the 17-85 that he's already got is that it's not fast enough at f/4-5.6, so I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest that the Sigma 10-20 f/4.5-5.6, Tokina 12-24 f/4, Canon 10-22 f/3.5-5.6 and the Cosina 17-35 f/3.5 are all still going to be too slow.

The Tokina 11-16 is nice though and at f/2.8 is as fast as zooms come.

zpyder · **Reply #5 on:** February 03, 2011, 19:14:31 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #5 on: February 03, 2011, 19:14:31 PM

I'm toying with the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, just curious if there is a better option(s)

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

Mongoose · **Reply #6 on:** February 03, 2011, 19:28:24 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #6 on: February 03, 2011, 19:28:24 PM

in your shoes, that's what I'd get.

Binary Shadow · **Reply #7 on:** February 03, 2011, 19:48:20 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #7 on: February 03, 2011, 19:48:20 PM

Quote from: zpyder on February 03, 2011, 19:14:31 PM

I'm toying with the Tamron 17-50mm f2.8, just curious if there is a better option(s)

Sent from my HTC Desire using Tapatalk

Could try mine before commiting, its got VC as well

zpyder · **Reply #8 on:** February 03, 2011, 20:12:13 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #8 on: February 03, 2011, 20:12:13 PM

I've read that the VC version has worse image quality than the non-VC though, according to "The Digital Picture" Given that it won't help freeze an image of people moving, it's not that important and will save a few ££

zpyder · **Reply #9 on:** February 12, 2011, 19:52:39 PM

Re: Wide(r) lenses?

Reply #9 on: February 12, 2011, 19:52:39 PM

So I've learned a lesson about buying cheap on the internet...beware. I had a bad feeling about simplyelectronics but figured it couldn't be that bad. Keep in mind I ordered a lens nearly 2 weeks ago now, one which was "in stock" and "usually shipped within 2-5 days", and the order hasn't been processed (but card charged).

Kathryns next gig is tomorrow, so I bit the bullet and have started the ball rolling on a refund (I just know that they'll now ship the lens and/or refuse to refund the money) and went and bought the lens from a local camera shop for about £40 more than simply's price.

Took it out today whilst geocaching and took some shots to test it out. It seems pretty good, focus is loud like reported, but because it focuses quickly, in scenarios where the noise is likely to be distracting or noticed it's a non-issue if you roughly manually focus it first.

Clouds whilst out geoaching by Chris_Moody, on Flickr

Car wreck in the forest by Chris_Moody, on Flickr

Mossed by Chris_Moody, on Flickr