Camera experts...Canon compatible wide angle lens recommendations

[S.F.W.]

I currently have a Canon T1i, with the 18-55 kit lens. I have been using the camera for about ten months now. I am interested in picking up an ultra wide angle zoom lens, and am hoping folks on here can provide guidance.

The four I have been looking at are:
Tokina 12-24mm f/4 AT-X 124AF Pro DX II
Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X 116 Pro DX
Sigma Zoom Super Wide Angle 10-20mm f/4-5.6
Tamron SP AF 10-24mm f / 3.5-4.5 DI II

Originally I was leaning towards the Tokina 12-24, however some of the reviews I read suggested a 10-20 would be more useful.

Thoughts, Suggestions?

[S.F.W.]

I think right now I am leaning towards the Tamron 10-24 because of the flexibility.

[Dave_The_BMXER]

I'll bug my gf for you :P

[kid_icarus]

hey ami!

i'm actually selling my sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 wide angle lens.

if you're interested let me know
http://forums.redflagdeals.com/fs-sigma-af-10-20mm-f3-5-ex-dc-hsm-lens-wide-angle-lens-102-2-degrees-952215/

check out some reviews if you have time :)

http://www.digital-photography-school.com/sigma-10-20mm-f35-ex-dc-hsm-lens-review

some pics: pls don't judge lol. i'm pretty amateur but was using this lens when i was on my honeymoon. pics i had to take off my facebook page cuz i don't have them on me at work so the resolution is no good

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z164/kid_icarus82/25447_735925068827_72606692_42964732_3673307_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z164/kid_icarus82/26888_735616881437_72606692_42950970_4047331_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z164/kid_icarus82/26888_735619436317_72606692_42951037_711647_n.jpg

http://i192.photobucket.com/albums/z164/kid_icarus82/26888_735619471247_72606692_42951043_153032_n.jpg

[optiklenz13]

Ami, what's the need for the ultra wide angle lens?

Are you going to be shooting landscapes? If so, you have a 1.6 crop sensor camera, I'd go with the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8.

But pretty much, your 18-55 Kit Lens covers this if you intend to do landscapes.

These aren't my pictures but most of these were taken with 18-55 kit lens. :)

http://robertmekis.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured--3

But then again, back to the original question, what will you be shooting with ultra wide angle lens?

[S.F.W.]

Ami, what's the need for the ultra wide angle lens?

Are you going to be shooting landscapes? If so, you have a 1.6 crop sensor camera, I'd go with the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8.

But pretty much, your 18-55 Kit Lens covers this if you intend to do landscapes.

These aren't my pictures but most of these were taken with 18-55 kit lens. :)

http://robertmekis.deviantart.com/gallery/#_featured--3

But then again, back to the original question, what will you be shooting with ultra wide angle lens?

I will be shooting a number of landscapes, and a few other items that need the wide angle. My grandparents have a house in Nova Scotia on the water that will be leaving the family soon, so I want to get a number of shots of the entire property while we still have possession. As well, I will be doing some travelling in the near future, Chicago, Pittsburgh, and Las Vegas, and want to get some wide city scape shots.

[S.F.W.]

I'll bug my gf for you :P

Dave - that would be awesome, thanks.

[optiklenz13]

I'd stick with the 11-16f/2.8 then since I saw Vegas on your post.

My initial thought was you'll be shooting the scene at night and the F/2.8 will help. :)

[bhrm]

The Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 is contrasty and sharp.

If you want more low light, the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 is great.

[Kevin@nextmod]

I vote for the 2.8. It'll be much more useful during dimmer areas and indoor.

[aZuMi]

I have the Sigma 10-20mm and I have no complaints. I shot my car with it and it looks perfect "un post-processed". You can check it out in my car's page.

However, if you want fast lens - go with the 2.8 as mentioned above.

[kLuMzi]

tokina 11-16/2.8 hands down

[kLuMzi]

the fast 2.8 will come handy for indoors like carshow

[ds2chan]

The Sigma comes in a 10-20 f/3.5 edition which is what kid_icarus is selling. My friend has this version and it works great. But if you really want the higher aperture then I read that you cannot go wrong with the Tokina lens. Mind you that I always see that the Tokina lens is on backorder so even if you wanted it it might be difficult to find one. Amazon.com perhaps??

[kid_icarus]

Just as a heads up, mines was purchased July 2009.
I have all the warranty papers available still as well.

I would've posted it for sale here but I've been too lazy to take a pic and post it up here. :give beer

[optiklenz13]

there's one on sale on kijiji.

http://toronto.kijiji.ca/c-buy-and-sell-cameras-camcorders-fs-Mint-Tokina-11-16mm-f-2-8-Ultra-Wide-Angle-Lens-for-Canon-Ma-W0QQAdIdZ228525517

:P

[gotak]

I have the tokina 11-16. I chose it because one of the big use for a UWA is those interior shots when you travel and in that case the f2.8 is helpful.

The weakness in the tokina is chromatic aberration which isn't a real problem since correction in post processing is easy. The other it that it'll feel like a prime lens due to it's small zoom range. Otherwise it's a great lens and my first choice. The 8-16 Sigma is also interesting but that's a variable aperture lens and I dont like or have any of those.

Also if all you want to do is take photos of landscape nothing really beats using a panorama stitcher for low cost plus you just can't get that sort of view using any lens.

Example:
http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1339/4726745772_d0968a98fc_o.jpg

[MSMitch]

My vote: Tokina 2.8
I have the Sigma 10-20- really like it - there are some inconsistencies in the lenses, so try it out first - some do not seem to focus sharply no matter what you do!
Given the option now, and if I had the extra $$, I'd go for the Tokina 2.8 as there are TONS of times I would have loved to have the extra wide angle lens for indoor shots!
Outside, can't go wrong with the Sigma though.
For lens quality overall, the Canon 10-20 is VERY nice too.

[S.F.W.]

I am probably going to pickup the Sigma 10-20 F 3.5 from Kid Icarus, we've been able to find a mutually agreeable price, and I read good things about the lens. Just doing some additional reading..
It should serve me well as a wide angle lens, and with the F3.5 also be useful in lower light situations.

[gotak]

I am probably going to pickup the Sigma 10-20 F 3.5 from Kid Icarus, we've been able to find a mutually agreeable price, and I read good things about the lens. Just doing some additional reading..
It should serve me well as a wide angle lens, and with the F3.5 also be useful in lower light situations.

It's a good lens. Just be careful with the front coating it scratches easily.

[cereal83]

Well with landscape type photos and night, you can always do a longer exposure but for like a car show, your gonna need a flash or that lens will be pretty useless as it's not fast enough @ 3.5.

[S.F.W.]

Well with landscape type photos and night, you can always do a longer exposure but for like a car show, your gonna need a flash or that lens will be pretty useless as it's not fast enough @ 3.5.

no doubt, a flash upgrade is on the list for later this year.

[cereal83]

Then your all good to go! Enjoy the new lens.

[Skip]

Ami, you will love the 10-20..the fixed 3.5 is a bonus. I had the older 10-20 on my last trip to vegas and I fell in love with that lens, it's so wide you might even get your feet in a photo by accident. I found the lens to be very sharp and quick. Heres a photo I took there

http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2581/3730992765_75c4d11b06_b.jpg