How much do you guys use your Ultra Wide Angle lenses? I am getting bored of mine..

[Nikon_Josh]

I used to be an ultra wide angle lens junkie but in recent times I am starting to become irritated by the distortion that I used to love. It is starting to look as cliche and as special effect to me as overcooked HDR's do. It may just be one of my phases! I am finding I am getting much more desirable effects using my 18-55 VR. Don't get me wrong I like going wide still and love landscape photography but my Sigma 10-20 is starting to take a back seat in my camera bag due to the fact I am finding 10-15mm is only of use under special circumstances i.e. when you have a foreground worth emphasising.

Maybe I have also seen too many sample UWA images from people who claim their work is effective due to the bulging distortion visable.

So I thought I'd begin a little debate.. How often do you guys use your UWA lenses? And is it just me that is starting to find the 'UWA crazy distortion' look a bit cliche in the same way overcooked HDR images have become a bit tedious?

I know this may be quite a controversial question to ask as I know most of TPF's members love their UWA lenses. *hides*

 

[480sparky]

I use mine quite often, but routinely 'correct' much of the distortion in post.

 

[Buckster]

I try to use my lenses appropriately. I use my 10-22mm when I need to be in the range of 10-22mm in order to get all of something in the frame, or if I want to accent something with the distortion that lens can provide if used for that purpose. Byond that, I don't really get the question.

 

[TheBiles]

Ultra-wide is not something I'd keep on my camera all day, but it isn't something I'd want to be without when the situation calls for (if that makes sense). I love my 16-35 because it allows me to get those shots that would have been impossible otherwise, and the perspective distortion can lead to a more intestesting composition that you have to work for. It will definitely be in my travel bag at all times.

 

[2WheelPhoto]

Sold my Tokin a 11-16 when i went full frame. However I did a photo-session with a lady and her new BMW and it was the 1st time in ages I wished I had something wider than my 24-70 for the effect.

Usually I shoot the ladies without their BMW's and don't see me replacing it =)

 

[DorkSterr]

My 14-24mm f/2.8 almost never comes off my camera. Well that's because my 24-70 is has been in repair for 1 month now.

 

[cgipson1]

I used my 10-24 primarily for landscapes.... so never really had issues like you mention. My 14-24 is sitting at home right now in it's box unopened while I am on the road for the company. I can't wait to use it on my D800!

But like Buckster said above, I only use UWA when I need it.. and distortion usually is not an issue with the shots I do.

 

[kundalini]

This reminds me I should probably sell my Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 because I never use it anymore.

This reminds me I should probably take my Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 out for a spin because I haven't used it in a while.

 

[Nikon_Josh]

This reminds me I should probably sell my Nikkor 12-24mm f/4 because I never use it anymore.

This reminds me I should probably take my Nikkor 14-24mm f/2.8 out for a spin because I haven't used it in a while.

Yes there is a part of me wondering if I should sell my 10-20 and 18-55 VR and use the cash to get me a Sigma 17-50 2.8! I've always wanted to own a fast wide to mid range zoom.

 

[tirediron]

This is why I went with the 16-35 instead of the 14-24; it's not a range I use very often, but it is one that I want to be able to use when I need it. IMO, UWA is today, an essential part of a well rounded kit (as opposed to 25 years ago when 20mm was, "Holy crap, you've got HOW wide????").

 

[Designer]

It seems as if you are looking through the wrong end of the lens, so to speak.

Instead of looking for specific uses for a given lens, why not simply concentrate on the type of photography you want to do, and let the lenses fall where they may?

 

[zcar21]

I don't even have a wide angle less, much less uwa. I'm happy with my 24-85 on crop sensor.

 

[spacefuzz]

I use my UWA lens all the time (14-24 atm). I shoot mostly nature though so the distortion isnt bothersome.

 

[KmH]

I used my wide angle lenses, when I needed to use a wide angle lens.

 

[TheFantasticG]

I don't even have a wide angle less, much less uwa. I'm happy with my 24-85 on crop sensor.

I have to agree. On a recent one week trip to Las Vegas i only used my Nikon 24-120 f4.... But at the Grand canyon I would have liked the ability to down to 16mm... Which is why I'm going to pick up a 16-35L II for my Canon 60D at the end of the year