Which wide angle lens should i choose?

[dipstick]

I'm looking for a wide angle lens to use with my D200. So far I looked at Nikons 12-24mm f4 and Sigmas 10-20mm f4-5.6 and Im tempted to go for the cheaper option and get the Sigma, but the Nikon is also within range if I find thats its worth the extra 400 bucks.

But then I found Tamrons 11-18mm f 4.5-5.6 and Tokinas 12-24mm f4. I have no experience with Tamron and Tokina, so are these lense any good? The Tokina seems interesting after reading some online reviews.

So any opinions on these lenses?

 

[Sw1tchFX]

don't know about the tamron, i've heard the tokina has really awful CA, and i've heard the sigma is ok. If i had the money, i'd get the Nikkor, if you were to sell it it wouldn't depreciate as much for when you sell it back.

 

[Mr_Bester]

I went for the Sigma on my canon and I have no regrets. When looking used, I only saw the sigma for $450 and new was$500. I ended up getting mine much cheaper, so maybe that's why I have no regrets.
Dug

 

[dipstick]

Thanks for your replies,

Although I can afford the Nikon lens, $400 saved, is still $400 towards something else The resell value is a good point, but not really an argument for spending an extra 400 in my opinion. If I beat it up enough, those money are lost anyway

I must admit Im leaning towards the Sigma right now, but I did read somewhere that it is not too sharp on 20mm? Any experience with that?

I tried both the Nikon and the Sigma on a camera in a store, and Nikon seemed to have a little less distortion than the Sigma lens on 12mm. But the Sigma lens seemed surprisingly good for a wide lens at this price.

 

[D-50]

I've been using the Sigma 10-20 on a D200 for about a year now and love it. It prouces nice colors and is sharp. A nikon lens is always going to be better and I have not tried the Nikon 12-24 so I cant compare but in my opinion the sigma is great, good build quality to. As for the 20mm end I think you'll find you rarely use it for anything other than 10mm. If you're going wide you want to go wide. If I was going to shoot at 20 I would use my 18-70mm. Put that 400 towards another flash or an get an SB800 or a couple sb600 and start useing Nikons creative lighting system.

 

[dipstick]

As for the 20mm end I think you'll find you rarely use it for anything other than 10mm. If you're going wide you want to go wide. If I was going to shoot at 20 I would use my 18-70mm. Put that 400 towards another flash or an get an SB800 or a couple sb600 and start useing Nikons creative lighting system.

When I used to work on 35mm, I had an 18mm and a 35mm lens that used to be my favorites for the type of stuff I will use the Sigma for, so although Im getting this for the wide end, using it on 20mm would be nice instead of changing lenses. I do not have a zoom in the 18-xx range that most people seem to have these days, although I used to have an 17-35, but I found myself using it mostly on 17mm and missing a wider lens. So if the Sigma is usable all the way it would be a good choice I think.

Is the Sigma nice and sharp in the corners as well?

Spending what I save will be no problem I'm also considering getting Sigmas 30mm 1.4 or Nikons 50mm 1.4. Always nice to have a fast lens in the bag as I'm not really a flash type of guy.

 

[Mr_Bester]

Here is a review site that probably speaks to the sharpness and such
http://www.photozone.de/8Reviews/index.html
dug

 

[Sideburns]

my uncle has the sigma 10-20 and loves it. I can't say much more than that though...

 

[JerryPH]

I own the 10-20mm ultra wide Sigma. Its not a speed demon, in fact its quite slow, but the focus speed is quick and quality is very good.

I love the pictures it takes.

 

[dipstick]

Ok, after reading some more reviews, I am far from convinced that the Nikon is worth the extra $.

So I went to my local camera store, and they let me borrow the Sigma 10-20 over the weekend. I'll do some test shooting, and if I'm happy with what I see, I'll probably go for it!

 

[jstuedle]

I have the 14mm f/2.8 Nikkor, no regrets.

 

[dipstick]

I have the 14mm f/2.8 Nikkor, no regrets.

I was considering Nikons 12-24mm, without realizing they had the 14mm 2.8!

Thanks, gotta check that one out, it probably makes more sense than a 10-20 zoom anyway!

 

[dipstick]

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I ended up getting Nikons 12-24mm f4. Just if anyone was still wondering

It just felt more sturdy and faster than Sigmas 10-20, and from what I understand the optical quality is a little bit better. The fact that I also got my hands on a used one for a pretty good price made the choice easy.

Thanks for all your help folks!

 

[shivaswrath]

any opinions? pictures? do you have to post-process a lot of your pictures?

 

[dipstick]

So far I'm happy, but although I have brought it with me on a few jobs, I haven't used it extensively yet, so I guess it's a bit early to say.

Do you mean post processing in terms of correcting CA's and distortion?