What full frame UWA lens to get?

[nerwin]

I think I'm ready to buy a ultra wide angle lens for my D610. While 24mm decently wide, its just not wide enough for everything I want to shoot.

When I had my D7000, I had the Tokina 12-24 f/4 and that was an okay lens. I just did not care for the focus clutch thing.

So I'm going to say my budget is around $500, could be more but depends on the coming weeks.

Anyways, I can't decide if I want a prime or zoom. I thought about getting the Nikon 20 2.8D which can be had for $350 or so on eBay. Someone recommended me the Tokina 17-35 f/4, their 16-28 f2.8 seems interesting but a little high for my budget. But man I just never cared for that focus clutch.

Tokina also made a 17mm f3.5 for full frame and its auto focus but super slow I guess (better than none). I guess it produces decent results.

I know some recommended the old 18-35D which can be had for cheap on eBay but I hear too many bad things about that lens.

What lenses do you recommend me check out with my small budget around $500?

 

[astroNikon]

increase your budget and get the current nikon 18-35 AF-S lens or the 17-35/2.8 lens

 

[goodguy]

Another option is my lens Sigma 12-24mm
Widest full frame zoom lens in the market, it is not fast but you can get it for around 500$ used

 

[tirediron]

increase your budget and get the current nikon 18-35 AF-S lens or the 17-35/2.8 lens

This. seriously. The budget-conscious choice is the Nikkor 16-35 f4, the BEST choice is the Nikkor 14-28 f2,8. You're not going to get them for $500, but when you do get one or the other, your only regret will be that you didn't get them sooner!

 

[nerwin]

increase your budget and get the current nikon 18-35 AF-S lens or the 17-35/2.8 lens

This. seriously. The budget-conscious choice is the Nikkor 16-35 f4, the BEST choice is the Nikkor 14-28 f2,8. You're not going to get them for $500, but when you do get one or the other, your only regret will be that you didn't get them sooner!

I want to increase my budget, but I just don't have the funds to. My only option is to just wait and continue saving. Unfortunately I don't have a steady income right now so it will take a bit longer but by that time, summer will be over!

Anyways...I like the 16-35 but I feel that its just too big and heavy for liking. If its like the 17-55 2.8 I had on DX, I wont enjoy it. But the 18-35G is probably THE best wide angle for me. Other alternative is the Tokina 17-35 f/4.

 

[jsecordphoto]

increase your budget and get the current nikon 18-35 AF-S lens or the 17-35/2.8 lens

This. seriously. The budget-conscious choice is the Nikkor 16-35 f4, the BEST choice is the Nikkor 14-28 f2,8. You're not going to get them for $500, but when you do get one or the other, your only regret will be that you didn't get them sooner!

I've been using the Tamron 15-30 for the last few months and trust me when I say it gives the 14-24 a run for it's money, and is like $1k less. The 16-35, 15-30, and 14-24 are all great options, the 16-35 is great because you can use screw on filters too

 

[nerwin]

increase your budget and get the current nikon 18-35 AF-S lens or the 17-35/2.8 lens

This. seriously. The budget-conscious choice is the Nikkor 16-35 f4, the BEST choice is the Nikkor 14-28 f2,8. You're not going to get them for $500, but when you do get one or the other, your only regret will be that you didn't get them sooner!

I've been using the Tamron 15-30 for the last few months and trust me when I say it gives the 14-24 a run for it's money, and is like $1k less. The 16-35, 15-30, and 14-24 are all great options, the 16-35 is great because you can use screw on filters too

I'm sure it is haha, but not something I can afford or want honestly.

 

[astroNikon]

I'm sure it is haha, but not something I can afford or want honestly.

THen you have the same options mentioned in the other threads
The ones you don't want but are in your budget

 

[nerwin]

I'm sure it is haha, but not something I can afford or want honestly.

THen you have the same options mentioned in the other threads
The ones you don't want but are in your budget

Looks like the 18-35G is going to be the one.

 

[PaulWog]

I think the Nikon 18-35 is a good lens to look at if you're on a budget. However, the Nikon 16-35 would be worth saving for.

I think if you take UWA seriously for landscapes, you'll very likely want ND filters. And filters are bloody EXPENSIVE on the Tamron 15-30, or the Tokina 16-35, or the Nikon 14-24, or the Rokinon 14mm. Think about $350 for a single ND filter and a filter holder.

 

[nerwin]

I think the Nikon 18-35 is a good lens to look at if you're on a budget. However, the Nikon 16-35 would be worth saving for.

I think if you take UWA seriously for landscapes, you'll very likely want ND filters. And filters are bloody EXPENSIVE on the Tamron 15-30, or the Tokina 16-35, or the Nikon 14-24, or the Rokinon 14mm. Think about $350 for a single ND filter and a filter holder.

Honestly I just want a wider angle for all the car shows I go to. I know some say the 18-35g is much sharper than the 16-35.

 

[fmw]

My favorite lens of all time is the Nikkor 18mm f2.8D. It is very wide angle and amazingly well corrected for barrel distortion. You can put a straight line anywhere you want in the frame. But if you are getting the 20 f2.8 then I would suggest the 24 f2.8 or, if you are wealthy, the 24 f1.4.

 

[nerwin]

My favorite lens of all time is the Nikkor 18mm f2.8D. It is very wide angle and amazingly well corrected for barrel distortion. You can put a straight line anywhere you want in the frame. But if you are getting the 20 f2.8 then I would suggest the 24 f2.8 or, if you are wealthy, the 24 f1.4.

I'd love to own the 18 2.8D but its VERY expensive and VERY rare.

 

[fmw]

It is. Even more expensive is the 14 but I never really liked that lens. I wasn't as straight as the 18. I enjoyed the 16 fisheye as well. Barrel distortion to the point of being fun. In the film days I never had a wide angle zoom so I have no experience with them. I have a 12-24 f4 DX zoom for my current system and it is a pretty good performer if you ever use your camera in DX mode. I would imagine the FX equivalent would be another good option.

 

[nerwin]

It is. Even more expensive is the 14 but I never really liked that lens. I wasn't as straight as the 18. I enjoyed the 16 fisheye as well. Barrel distortion to the point of being fun. In the film days I never had a wide angle zoom so I have no experience with them. I have a 12-24 f4 DX zoom for my current system and it is a pretty good performer if you ever use your camera in DX mode. I would imagine the FX equivalent would be another good option.

If I remember right, I think the 18 2.8D was Nikon's first aspherical lens?