Best wide angle lens

cgipson1 · May 2, 2012

billbaillie said:
All good info again, many thanks. This is why originally I was happy to stick with my D200 because this has been a great camera and has produced some high end results, using tripod and mirror lock up, etc. I was going to produce top end images of the gardens and discuss stitching images together if necessary. The only concern I had were my lenses, they have done a fine job so far with landscapes but they are mid-range quality lenses. I was looking for something better for this specific job. Now I am not sure! Do I get a good Nikon lens (14-24mm if I can persuade the client) or hire a higher MP camera and lens?

Depends... how much will you use the lens? If not often, I would just rent when needed....

tissa · May 2, 2012

The question is which ones will autofocus on D5100 AND will they also autofocus on FX cameras whenever I decide to switch.

MTVision · May 2, 2012

tissa said:
The question is which ones will autofocus on D5100 AND will they also autofocus on FX cameras whenever I decide to switch.

Af-s lenses will AF with your camera. You'll have to check 3rd party brands for compatibility - like Sigma's lenses that are HSM, I believe, will AF on the d5100. If you plan on upgrading to FX then you should be buying FX lenses.

billbaillie · May 2, 2012

If I could persuade the client to up their budget and add a little of my own money......what about buying the D7000 (higher MP) and the 14-24mm? All in should cost about £1,500 - £2,000.

spacefuzz · May 2, 2012

The D7000 is a fine camera. With the proper upsizing, I am printing 60" wide with its files.

Just remember with the crop sensor the 14-24 would be 21-36 equiv, if thats wide enough.

RichardsTPF · May 2, 2012

Is there anyone have a wide angle prime lens? Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 is not so expensive and has good reviews on B&H. Any reviews here?
Why is 14mm so much more expensive comparing to other prime lens?

zamanakhan · May 2, 2012

RichardsTPF said:
Is there anyone have a wide angle prime lens? Nikon 10.5mm f2.8 is not so expensive and has good reviews on B&H. Any reviews here?
Why is 14mm so much more expensive comparing to other prime lens?

the new 28 1.8 coming out looks very promising, there is also the 24 2.8d that gets alot of praise. I dont have any wide angle primes mainly because THERE ARE NO WIDE PRIMES FOR DX!!! there is a nikon 18mm for FX but at that price and F stop i wouldnt bother. The 10.5 is a fisheye and does not have AFS, that means it wont focus on d5100 or d3100 camera lines, but who cares because DOF is HUGE on that lens. So unless you want fisheye write off the 10.5, you can defishye the images with software but you will have SOFT corners and composing will be a pain.

If yo want a prime or tack sharp wide angle for DX get a 11-16 2.8 if you are gonna be shooting f8 and up go for the sigma 10-20. Nothing beats it for value but wide open its no so great, if i convert to FX the fov is what i will miss the most and a nikon 16-35 would be on the top of my list.