Wide angle lens for Nikon FX

Rocket

Rocket

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Tony
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Any one offer some recommendations for a good wide angle lens for a Nikon full frame.
Have considered the Sigma 17-35 or Nikon 18-35mm f3.5-4.5G AF-S ED or a Nikon 16-35....Looking for a budget lens rather than expensive.
 
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The latest Nikon 18-35 is very good (I have one ;)) even on a D810. The previous versions left a bit to be desired imo/e. Not tried the siggy so can't comment on that. Have used a Tokina 16-28mm f2.8 and that was excellent, but getting filters is somewhat of a challenge (as in very expensive - needs the Lee 150mm).

ETA: the Lee 150 system needs "adapting" to fit the tokina btw ... more trouble than it's worth imo, hence why I now have the Nikon, but IQ is very good.
 
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How wide? The Sigma 12-24 is about as wide as you can go on FF and keep lines straight. There are a few 14mm f/2.8 primes, with the Samyang being cheapest (but MF) and Tamron/?Sigma being AF but only available 2nd hand IIRC. Keeping the budget low, there are several 19-35 zooms from the likes of Cosina, Vivitar et alia - basically the same lens with different badges. Distorts a bit but is plenty wide enough for most uses and is cheap!
 
I had the samyang 14mm! Brilliant sharp lens
 
I got myself the Sigma 15-30, can be got for around £150 s/h, I am very happy with it.

Another option would be the Vivitar 19-35 if you are on a budget, not a bad lens for around £50 or so s/h
 
Budget goes out the window with full frame!
 
Thanks guys, may well go along to WEX and try a few S/H ones out...
How would one know the difference from the older Nikon 18-35 with the newer 18-35 as Paul suggested above..
 
Rocket said:
Thanks guys, may well go along to WEX and try a few S/H ones out...
How would one know the difference from the older Nikon 18-35 with the newer 18-35 as Paul suggested above..
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The older one has an aperture ring.
 
How different are the 2 versions of the Nikkor 18-35 optically? I'm guessing that the older one might be screw driven rather than AF-S but IIRC all Nikon full frame bodies (so far) have in body motors (and IME, AF isn't that much slower using the screw compared to AF-S.)
 
Nod said:
How different are the 2 versions of the Nikkor 18-35 optically? I'm guessing that the older one might be screw driven rather than AF-S but IIRC all Nikon full frame bodies (so far) have in body motors (and IME, AF isn't that much slower using the screw compared to AF-S.)
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Very different imo. The old one suffers with moustache distortion, very poor edge to edge sharpness, never gets sharp in the corners (and quite a way in too) as well as still vignetting at f8 ... add in fairly heavy CA (but not untypical for a wide angle ime) and it just plain stinks imo ... the new one is much better, it still has noticeable distortion but it is uniform, way better edge to edge and corner sharpness, much improved vignetting and better CA handling.
 
Thanks all.
Thanks Ed, I can see the difference now..
Wide angle will only get little use as I have a small amount of various in property projects I have been asked to do. However it may well come in for some landscape shots as well..
 
FWIW, if you stand back in a corner of a rectangular room, the Sigma 12-24mm will get pretty much the whole room in. Little or no rectilinear distortion but the perspective is quite exaggerated!
 
I have the 18-35mm G and can't fault it tbh. Nice and sharp, plus lightweight so nice to carry around as a walkabout lens.
 
Nod said:
FWIW, if you stand back in a corner of a rectangular room, the Sigma 12-24mm will get pretty much the whole room in. Little or no rectilinear distortion but the perspective is quite exaggerated!
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I am confused - isn't the Sigma 12-24 for the crop sensor bodies ?
 
No. The Nikkor 12-24 IS a Dx lens but the Sigma 12-24 is one of their DG (FF) range rather than DC (crop). The Sigma 10-20 is a DC lens though.
 
Sorry if it sounded abrupt, doorbell went before I added the intended :)
 
I use a Sigma 12-24 on Nikon FF and very happy with it. Would certainly recomend it for interior property shots, but you should also use a tripod and remote shutter. That way you can take the whole room in one shot by putting the camera tight into the corner.
 
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