Good wide angle lens without breaking the bank

[Turo]

Hi all,

I'm looking for recommendations for a wide angle lens. I'm looking for something between the ranges of 18 to 35mm aproximately. I would prefer a max aperture of close to 2.0 since I tend to take many low-light pictures.

Until now I have been using my 50mm f/1.8 and I absolutely love it, but I find it to be a little too much reach at times on my D50. I would like to find something similar, but with a bit of a wider view. I'd like to stay around (or below) the $300 mark. For now, I've had my eye on the Nikkor 35mm f/2.0 lens which sells for about $300 (link (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/product/92011-GREY/Nikon_1923_Wide_Angle_AF_Nikkor.html)), but I am open to suggestions. I have no preference on prime or not, image quality and price are my top concerns.

[K1W1]

I would look at the Sigma 10-20 or the Tokina 12-24.
Neither are f2 but both a good lenses for the money.

[Rooz]

its gonna have to be a prime cos no WA zoom is gonna be $300 or f2. the fastest aperture for a WA zoom, (apart from nikons new $2000 12-24mm f2.8), is f4.

[Turo]

its gonna have to be a prime cos no WA zoom is gonna be $300 or f2. the fastest aperture for a WA zoom, (apart from nikons new $2000 12-24mm f2.8), is f4.

I was afraid of that, which is why I am considering the 35mm. Not as wide as I had hoped, but its all I can afford right now.


I would look at the Sigma 10-20 or the Tokina 12-24.
Neither are f2 but both a good lenses for the money.

I'll take a look at them, thanks for the tip!

[bauerman]

Here is an option - Sigma 17-35mm f2.8-4 EX DG HSM

You can pick this up from Cameta Camera (recommended reseller) on Amazon.com for $209.00 here:

http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-17-35mm-2-8-4-Aspherical-Cameras/dp/B0001E7PEE/ref=pd_bbs_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1205847675&sr=8-2

This is an EX series Sigma lens meaning it is top of the line from Sigma with great build quality. This lens has a fast aperture at the wide end (2.8) and a decent aperture at the long end (4). It also is an HSM lens - meaning it has the whisper quiet, very accurate HSM focusing.

This looks like it could meet your needs - and at $200 bucks for an EX series lens with HSM - it is a steal of a deal.

[VTEC_EATER]

There is always the Sigma 30/1.4. On the used market these go for about $350. Slightly over your budget, but the speed of the lens is very nice.

[erichlund]

The 24mm f2.8 is $310 and the 28mm f2.8 is $234. That's on stop slower than the 35mm, but both are significantly wider. Remember, wider lenses are less prone to camera shake because of their short focal length, so f2.8 is already very fast.

[Turo]

Well, I've been reading nonstop about lenses ever since I made this thread. I've been thinking, and I think I decided to scrap my initial budget and spend a little more to get a good lens. Right now I am thinking going with the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 HSM Macro (link (http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-50mm-Macro-Lens-Nikon/dp/B000UC5YSQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1205938840&sr=8-2)). I've read many reviews that say the Tamron version may be a slight bit better, but most people in forums disagree. This lens is in the ~$450 range (HSM version). Are there any other WA lenses I should be considering in this price range?

[Bob_Benner]

Well, I've been reading nonstop about lenses ever since I made this thread. I've been thinking, and I think I decided to scrap my initial budget and spend a little more to get a good lens. Right now I am thinking going with the Sigma 18-50 f/2.8 HSM Macro (link (http://www.amazon.com/Sigma-18-50mm-Macro-Lens-Nikon/dp/B000UC5YSQ/ref=pd_bbs_sr_2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1205938840&sr=8-2)). I've read many reviews that say the Tamron version may be a slight bit better, but most people in forums disagree. This lens is in the ~$450 range (HSM version). Are there any other WA lenses I should be considering in this price range?

The Tokina 12-24 is a great lens and gives you true wide angle. 18mm on your D50 won't be that wide. The Tokina sells for $499.00 at most online websites. Look at some reviews on this lens and you will see that it almost matches the Nikon 12-24mm for a lot less money. It is also very well made.

[erichlund]

Wide angle in 35mm parlance is 24mm up to about 35mm (or so). Wider than 24mm is considered super wide. 24mm could be considered either, depending on who you talk to.
So the Tokina 12-24 (18-36 equiv) gives you both super wide and wide. The 16-18mm-whatever lenses give you most of wide to whatever.

Wide angle lenses are fairly easy to frame, as they don't distort much more than a normal lens. It takes a bit of understanding to properly use a super wide lens, as a very small error in shooting angle translates into a very misplaced focal plane. Shooting your shoes is just one of the mistakes that people make with super wides. More egregious errors result in very distorted subjects that may be only partially in focus due to focal plane angles.