Which Wide Angle Lens

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Chris
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I am looking to get a wide angle lens and get conflicting reviews from the many websites. Budget is limited but I could just stretch to the Canon listed below if bought through Kelso but thats the limit. Which of the following do you think would be worth my cash or do you have any other recomendations.

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
Tokina 12-24MM F/4.0 Pro II
Tamron SP 10-24mm f3.5-4.5 Di II
Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM

Thanks again for comments

Chris
 
Me personally i would go for the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 version as i was impressed with the build quality and the focusing is slightly quicker than the other model.

The Canon one is very lovely but IMHO i don't see the extra money giving you a better image. (waiting to be killed now)

The Tamron one i don't really like the build of it, whereas if someone bought me one i would be over the moon.

My old shop where i used to work started stocking Tokina about a week before i went so i don't know where i would put em on my list...

I have the dilema of i want one for my Nikon infrared camera but, as i maybe changing my 1d for a 60d then i would i prefer it there or would i mind spending £150 so i can shoot AF on nikon and MF on canon with one lens...

my money is on the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5
 
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I just ordered the Tokina 12-24mm. From all the reviews I've read it seems to be the least flawed "budget" wide angle lens. Sure its not the widest but its got a very nice range up to 24mm. Dpreview says its sharp until 22mm or so, making it passeable as a walkaround lens if it needs to.
 
Great shouts from everyone thanks, It seems nothing is straight forward with this kit buying lark. All the lenses on my list have been given great reviews on different sites. The Sigma winning on PBase for value but the Canon still given the edge on sharpness. Another site the Tokina scores over the Canon in several areas. I may plump for the Canon as I can stretch the budget and hope the name would be better for resale value when I can finally afford an EOS5D Mk11 and go full frame. Any more comments would be appreciated as I'm still making my mind up

Thanks again
Chris
 
I've got the Tokina 11-16 in Nikon fit and it's spectacular for the money.. constant f2.8, bulletproof build quality etc..
 
The Canon is a nicely built lens, its pretty similar to my 100mm f2.8 L IS Macro. The macro lens is known as a lightweight 'L' lens due to the plastic barrel..it might not be in the same league as other Pro Lenses build-wise.

I opted for it for the overall package, image quality, glare/flare control and distortion handling were the primary reasons based on what I read.

The aperture is middle of the road, not the fastest, not the slowest. It has the best range (10-22) of the top contenders.

I think its the lightest lens from the list, some may see that as a negative re build quality, but presumably a lighter lens for landscapes is a positive considering the typical gear taken, tripod & head, fliters etc.

I believe the Canon DPP software recognises the lens and can auto correct issues within the application - I've not got any other lenses other than Canon so can't confirm truth if this is the case.

There is no pouch/case or hood, again you might end up using square filters for landscapes removing the hood requirement. I don't use any cases/pouches as the lens goes in a bag with some more kit and the body.

It has a closer minimum focus distance and FTM USM compared to the Tokina - these two facts possibly swung it for me over the Tokina. The Sigma was equal with the Canon here, but lost out in other areas.

The other tiny little fact/niggle for me is I prefer my lenses to zoom/wide on the same rotational direction of the barrel. I think Canon is the oddity here, most other lenses zoom clockwise whereas Canon is anti-clockwise - very small issue lol.:bonk:
 
The Sigma 10-20mm is good, had it andd really liked using it IMO the Canon is better but not by much in the grand scheme of things, I havn't used any of the others.
 
I've got the Tokina 11-16 in Nikon fit and it's spectacular for the money.. constant f2.8, bulletproof build quality etc..

Likewise :thumbs:. It's expensive though (nearly 500GBP, IIRC), so possibly out of range :shrug:!?
 
Tokina 11-16 :) if not, spend less and go for the sigma
 
If you wanna go crazy wide and don't mind lack of filters, there's the sigma 8-16mm as well.

IQ in on par with the 10-22 according to the reviews I've seen.
 
Thanks to everyone for their comments. I have just ordered the Sigma 10-20mm f3.5 EX DC HSM as it seems to give a good balance between quality and value for money. I hope to get it next week and will try and post some of my better efforts.

Cheers

Chris
 
Hi I used to shoot with the Sigma 10-20. It is a cracking lens for a sensible amount of cash. I'm sure to will enjoy. Happy shooting.
 
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