Chosing a Canon Ultra-wide Lens on Cropped Frame

[jedinite]

So here's my dilemma, I want to get a wider angle lens to do landscapes, architectural shots and indoor wide-angle shots.

I'm shooting with the 50D and I have an EF 24-70mm 2.8L lens now.

So on a cropped framed sensor I need opinions about a few lenses:

EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM ~$660USD
EF 17-40mm f4L USM ~$600USD
EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM ~$1350USD

Since I have an EF L series lens already I'm set for going full frame in the future, but with the EF lenses I don't get nearly as much wide-angle as the EF-S lens. The 16-35mm lens seems a bit excessive on the price side of things and I'm not sure the faster lens is going to be worth the cost differnce. The 17-40 seems like a good compromise and I did check out the 17-40mm vs the 10-22mm in the store on another 50D and you can definitely tell that the 10-22 has a lot futher reach on the wide-end. But it also comes with some distortion when people get in the shot, not good if taking indoor wide-angles at places where you can't help there being a lot of people (ie. tours through old Cathedrals).

At the moment I'm leaning towards the 17-40 since it is an L series lens and it's less expensive than a cropped frame only 10-22mm lens. But I wanted some opinions from people that own or have owned any of the above lenses.

Thanks.

[cdifoto]

They're all good.

Consider Sigma 10-20mm, Tokina 12-24mm, and Tokina 11-16mm as well.

[zmikers]

They're all good.

Consider Sigma 10-20mm, Tokina 12-24mm, and Tokina 11-16mm as well.

I've got the sigma and couldn't be happier with it.

[Rooz]

So here's my dilemma, I want to get a wider angle lens to do landscapes, architectural shots and indoor wide-angle shots.

I'm shooting with the 50D and I have an EF 24-70mm 2.8L lens now.

So on a cropped framed sensor I need opinions about a few lenses:

EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM ~$660USD
EF 17-40mm f4L USM ~$600USD
EF 16-35mm f2.8L USM ~$1350USD

Since I have an EF L series lens already I'm set for going full frame in the future, but with the EF lenses I don't get nearly as much wide-angle as the EF-S lens. The 16-35mm lens seems a bit excessive on the price side of things and I'm not sure the faster lens is going to be worth the cost differnce. The 17-40 seems like a good compromise and I did check out the 17-40mm vs the 10-22mm in the store on another 50D and you can definitely tell that the 10-22 has a lot futher reach on the wide-end. But it also comes with some distortion when people get in the shot, not good if taking indoor wide-angles at places where you can't help there being a lot of people (ie. tours through old Cathedrals).

At the moment I'm leaning towards the 17-40 since it is an L series lens and it's less expensive than a cropped frame only 10-22mm lens. But I wanted some opinions from people that own or have owned any of the above lenses.

Thanks.

17mm isnt really that wide on a crop camera and for the application you are talking about, (cathedrals), then i dont think the 17-40 is the best choice. theres also a fair amount of overlap with your existing lens. the tokina 12-24 has very good control over distortion. the 11-16 is similar in that regard and its also a 2.8 aperture lens so in dark-ish cathedrals, that extra stop could be very valuable. its also extremely sharp.

if by "in the future i will go to FF" means within the next say 12 months then i'd stick with a FF lens, but any longer than that i wouldnt worry about buying a crop lens. consider it a cheap rental for 18months and then sell it.

[Gintaras]

i read it Tokina 11-16/2.8 is a best fastest ultra wide for a cropped Canon sensor, sharp and else. take a look at photozone.de and also i read a few opinions on the web people liking new tokina. i also heard complaints about Canon 10-22 being not sharp enough.

[D Thompson]

I have the 24-70 f2.8L as well. When I need wider I put on the Canon ef-s 10-22 and IMO there isn't a better lens in that range. Never had a problem not being sharp enough. If and when you go to FF I'd say the 10-22 would net most of your cost. If it wasn't for a crop body it would have the L designation on it.

Lots of samples here to judge - http://www.pbase.com/cameras/canon/ef_s_10-22_35-45_usm

Lots of other users opinions - http://www.fredmiranda.com/reviews/showproduct.php?product=221&sort=7&cat=27&page=3

[TenD]

I used to own the Tokina 12-24, it is sharp, contrasty, and has great color. The build is up to L standards. I was very impressed with the lens. I no longer own it because I bought a 5D and no longer needed that focal length, my 17-40 covers it on the 5D.

[Nickcanada]

Yeah, if you need the speed I'd go with the Tokina 11-16mm 2.8 over the Canon 16-35mm 2.8. It's a hell of a lot cheaper and it would be wider on you crop sensor. The only down side would be it's not FF compatible... I would strongly recommend you NOT make your decision on the assumption that you will go FF. I've been telling myself that for 2 years and I'm still on a cropper and that seems to be the way 90% of people work. The great thing about good lenses is that they keep their value well so if you do go FF you can easily sell the lens with little money loss. Just think of the money you lost as a rental fee!


If you don't need the speed then you could probably close your eyes and randomly pick one and be satisfied. Even the best wide angle lens will have some distortion near the edge of the frame. People will get stretched, especially if your camera is not level. if you keep the lens level to the horizon then you will reduce distortion.

Another option for you that doesn't require a new lens is photostiching. Take a bunch of photos and then stitch them together to get one larger photo. Works best with a tripod though.

[jedinite]

if by "in the future i will go to FF" means within the next say 12 months then i'd stick with a FF lens, but any longer than that i wouldnt worry about buying a crop lens. consider it a cheap rental for 18months and then sell it.

Good advice Rooz, I won't be upgrading to a FF sensor for at least a few years. I just want the upgradability to not have to reinvest in lenses. I suppose keeping your recommended lens on my CF sensor is another alternative. How are the optics compared to the Canon lenses? Would you get it over the EF-S 10-22?