lens buying advice

[thommo]

Currently I have a Nikon D7000 with the standard 18-105mm lens and recently got a Nikkor 50mm af-s 1.4g

Im now looking at wanting to get a smaller length and need some advice on what to buy


I have seen a few different ones:


Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6
Sigma 10-20mm f3.5
Sigma 19mm f2.8
Tokina 11-16mm f2.8
Tokina 12-24mm f4

[thrtytwo]

Just buy the best you can afford that has a constant aperture.
f/2.8 is always the best.
f/4 not too far behind.

Once you have narrowed the list, google a comparison. No doubt someone will have been in your shoes before

[Crispymk2]

Take a look at the Nikon 20mm f2.8 D as well, not really that much more expensive and not trying to be a brand whore but I would rate it over any of those other lenses for sharpness especially wide open and even more so stopped down to f4

[thommo]

My dad had recently got a nikon 35mm f1.8 i think would lower still be better? ie the 20mm. im finding it annoying to have to move back a fair distance from the subject in picture to make it inside the framing :S

[Crispymk2]

Depends on what you are shooting. The issue you are always going to have is the focal length multiplication factor on the crop sensor. Gives you free length at the tele end but makes things tricky wide.

In practical terms the difference between 35mm and 20mm is stepping backwards about 3-5m. Edit: you have the 18-105mm so it wont be as wide as that one for reference but will take a dump from a great height on it in terms of sharpness.

The other thing you can do if landscapes are your thing is obviously stitch shots which effectively widens your field of view. If you are really keen then take a look at the GigaPan system.

I would personally buy a 105mm macro and a gigapan and start creating massive-res panos.

[thommo]

Ive just looked up some galleries on flickr of 105mm macro and you can get a really good range of shots with one of those lens' i think it might be a better option

[Crispymk2]

I love mine! Are you coming on the photowalk? Happy to let you test it out

[thommo]

ill be in hiding in the bushes to rob you of the 105 haha

yep im back on that weekend

[Macca]

save starting up the 400th thread on this. Need to get a zoom lens for my 60D, something the wife can use with little fuss. We are not pro photographers and dont plan on becoming 1. im thinking something with 70-400 {or 300} looked at sigma and tamron, tamron are cheap so would be good place to start im thinking

[thrtytwo]

Look at the tamron 18-270 PZD, supposed to be pretty decent for what it is. Basically won't need t take it off either.

I think its about $600 from HK

[mod]

Currently I have a Nikon D7000 with the standard 18-105mm lens and recently got a Nikkor 50mm af-s 1.4g

Im now looking at wanting to get a smaller length and need some advice on what to buy


I have seen a few different ones:


Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6
Sigma 10-20mm f3.5
Sigma 19mm f2.8
Tokina 11-16mm f2.8
Tokina 12-24mm f4

Tokina 11-16mm f2.8
one of the *best 3rd party wide angle lens

[SEXUAL TYRANNOSAURUS]

Just buy the best you can afford that has a constant aperture.
f/2.8 is always the best.
f/4 not too far behind.

Once you have narrowed the list, google a comparison. No doubt someone will have been in your shoes before

Dude, that's some shit fucking advice.


Currently I have a Nikon D7000 with the standard 18-105mm lens and recently got a Nikkor 50mm af-s 1.4g

Im now looking at wanting to get a smaller length and need some advice on what to buy


I have seen a few different ones:


Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6
Sigma 10-20mm f3.5
Sigma 19mm f2.8
Tokina 11-16mm f2.8
Tokina 12-24mm f4

Bro, Firstly why are you wanting a wider angle lens? Issit for Landscapes, tight area's or just the fact you don't wanna take a couple of steps back?

You've listed all third Party lenses, so im assuming you're on a budget? If so what's your budget? Is it something you need tomorrow (expression) or can it wait whilst you save a little more coin?

Now that I've got the questions out of the way. Have you considered trying to make the best of what you already have... 18mm on a crop sensor is already wide enough for most photographers when they're shooting smart. For instance: Lets say you're shooting something where the object doesn't quite sit nice in the frame and you're unable to move back to get more background in your shot. This is simple, take a panorama, 2 frames overlapping, 3 if 2 doesn't suffice. Doing something like this (if done well) well result in a sharper image as well as having a larger resolution.

Doing what I suggested above isn't always going to work, I know this. But you need to be able to think more creatively when shooting. You're not always going to have all the gear with you (travelling, come across something un-expected and whatnot). Doing so will make you a better photographer all round.

Something for you to think about anyways.


save starting up the 400th thread on this. Need to get a zoom lens for my 60D, something the wife can use with little fuss. We are not pro photographers and dont plan on becoming 1. im thinking something with 70-400 {or 300} looked at sigma and tamron, tamron are cheap so would be good place to start im thinking

Cheap isn't always better. Hobbist or pro.

But you are onto something in regards of focal lengths.
http://www.digitalrev.com/product/canon-ef-70-300mm-f/OTE0

Otherwise look for something allround like Jamie suggested. 18-270mm would mean you would rarely have to change lenses.

[thrtytwo]

Dude, that's some shit fucking advice.


Care to elaborate :P ?

Genuine enquiry, not trying to stir.

[thommo]

Bro, Firstly why are you wanting a wider angle lens? Issit for Landscapes, tight area's or just the fact you don't wanna take a couple of steps back?

You've listed all third Party lenses, so im assuming you're on a budget? If so what's your budget? Is it something you need tomorrow (expression) or can it wait whilst you save a little more coin?

Now that I've got the questions out of the way. Have you considered trying to make the best of what you already have... 18mm on a crop sensor is already wide enough for most photographers when they're shooting smart. For instance: Lets say you're shooting something where the object doesn't quite sit nice in the frame and you're unable to move back to get more background in your shot. This is simple, take a panorama, 2 frames overlapping, 3 if 2 doesn't suffice. Doing something like this (if done well) well result in a sharper image as well as having a larger resolution.

Doing what I suggested above isn't always going to work, I know this. But you need to be able to think more creatively when shooting. You're not always going to have all the gear with you (travelling, come across something un-expected and whatnot). Doing so will make you a better photographer all round.

Something for you to think about anyways.

Thanks, thats some good advice. i do want it more for the landscapes etc. it probably is a better idea to try use what i've got like your saying the 18-105 will give me that closer image.

Im also looking at these because i want to utilise the lower 10-20mm length for getting an underwater housing for the camera. it suggests using a +4 filter on my 18-105mm which i have so maybe i need to step back and look at what i want rather than jumping on the net and buying

[Macca]

cheers corbin. pretty much what i was aiming at

[SEXUAL TYRANNOSAURUS]

Care to elaborate :P ?

Genuine enquiry, not trying to stir.

You said buy the best you can afford - What is the best? The best of what you can afford mighten be the best in the long run. Gear is expensive and so is upgrading to better quality gear. If you're already going to invest in buying something you 'need' maybe you're better of holding out for something that is going to suit your needs for the now and the future.

You also said f/2.8 is always the best - You can't just through an aperture out there and say its the best. With your advice and Thommo's list of lenses. You lead him to believe the Tokina 11-16mm is the best choice because its 2.8. The Canon 10-20mm imo is far better than this lens. (Yes, I have used both) even at f/4-5.6 its much faster than the Tokina.

[thrtytwo]

Yeh all good points. Fair enough :P

I probably should have worded my reply a bit more carefully. I didnt mean to come across as cut and dry about it.

[SEXUAL TYRANNOSAURUS]

No sweat man.

Giving advice on this stuff can be hit and miss without the right info. Obtain that and its pretty straight forward.