help with wide angle!

[kimbie05]

Hey everyone,

It's been ages since I've posted on here, but you guys are always so helpful and I appreciate ANY input. I tried searching back as not to repeat a previous thread, so sorry if this has been asked...

I am looking for a wide WIDE angle lens that's no more than $500, some distortion is completely fine, and preferably an aperture that opens more than 4.5 (as I'll be shooting in low light situations without a flash at times...dragging the shutter). Is this possible? I shoot with a Nikon D200.

I need it for exterior building shots (I freelance for a real estate company) and some fun, big, wide group/dancing shots at weddings (I freelance these as well) - just one lens for both of these! I just recently bought a Nikkor 20mm/2.8 on a whim because I had read great, great reviews about the "wide-angle" factor. However, I was so sad and disappointed when I got it in the mail today and it's no wider than my standard 18-70 that came with my camera! I should have researched more, I suppose.

Any suggestions/links would be greatly appreciated! Thanks, guys.

 

[DSLR noob]

Sigma 8mm wide angle circular fisheye. Rediculously wide lens.

 

[kimbie05]

Sigma 8mm wide angle circular fisheye. Rediculously wide lens.

Thanks so much, but I was hoping to stay away from the fisheye... I was looking for just, really, really...wide. I'm not a huge fan of fisheyes, but I really appreciate the input!

 

[Sw1tchFX]

Sigma 8mm wide angle circular fisheye. Rediculously wide lens.

You don't want to use a fisheye for real estate.

If you need to go wider than 18mm and still need it to be rectilinear, you need the Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 DX. The only off brand that I would even consider is maybe Tokina. They also make a 12-24 f/4. with those, verticals still stay straight, and 10mm gives off 180 degrees worth of viewing angle on digital Nikons, so you can imagine how wide 12mm is.

 

[DSLR noob]

Oh sorry, yeah not too many people want to buy a house where the foundation can be bent in a rainbow like arch. I know sigma also makes a 10-22 or something of the sort.

 

[kimbie05]

Thanks, sw1tch. You know, I was borrowing my friend's Tokina 12-24 that you suggested for a while, I don't know why I didn't think to look into the Nikkor version.

What about the Sigma 10-20... I've never used a Sigma. Thoughts/feedback??