Wide angle on full frame Nikon D700 for interiors

Boynielaad

Boynielaad

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Andy
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Looking for some advice please ladies and gentlemen,

I'm of a mind to do some interior photography (looks like I may get the chance to trial for an up-market estate agency)

I know, on DX the choice is Tokina 11-16 or Nikon 12-24 but I'm new to FF so am not aware of which are the best to look at.

May I ask for some suggestions please. Up to £500 I think.
 
For interiors the original Sigma 12-24 is excellent, no distortion at all, straight edges stay straight and there's nothing that goes as wide. Can get a second hand one for £300-350.
 
If you want corner to corner sharpness there is no better lens than the Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8 there is a bit of distortion, but it is easily corrected and once corrected lines are all perfectly straight. The majority of interior work on my site is shot with the 14-24 if yu want to see examples. If you can't stretch to the Nikon the Tokina 16-28 is a very good alternative. Although the loss of 2mm at the wide end makes a lot of difference in domestic sized rooms.
 
the nikon 14-24 on a D700 is a great collaboration
 
It rarely gets a mention but the Nikon 14mm AFD is well worth a look. I had a one a while ago that I sold for less than £500 (was a bit shabby externally). That's at least 50% less than a 14-24 yet optically it is a match for the zoom. It's also usefully more portable. If you are always going to be operating at the wider end of the spectrum, it's well worth a look.
 
I ended up plumping for the 16-35 and mine is razor sharp all the way across the frame, distortion is a bit much at 16mm but otherwise I'd say it's perfect. However, with £500 you won't get one, nor the 14-24.

You could get a Nikon 18-35 but the distortion on that is complicated so maybe not the best for architecture.

That leaves you with the 3rd party lenses which I don't know too much about but I believe the Sigma 12-24 is meant to be pretty good, if a little beasty in size!
 
First of all, thanks for all the advice.

I don't really think I'll get away with the £1,300 required for the 14-24mm frankly.

Will my 24-70mm simply not be wide enough?

gad-westy said:
It rarely gets a mention but the Nikon 14mm AFD is well worth a look. I had a one a while ago that I sold for less than £500 (was a bit shabby externally). That's at least 50% less than a 14-24 yet optically it is a match for the zoom. It's also usefully more portable. If you are always going to be operating at the wider end of the spectrum, it's well worth a look.
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I am keen to be doing some landscapes and have, today, ordered a 8 stop ND filter. Maybe this would be a good compromise.

After jpw's comment I'll also look a bit more carefully at the Sigma - you say 'the original'. How will I know the difference?
 
Boynielaad said:
First of all, thanks for all the advice.
I don't really think I'll get away with the £1,300 required for the 14-24mm frankly.
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The 14-24 does come up from about £900 used if that's any help. It's probably the ultimate full frame wide angle (on any system) unless you want to use filters. You can use filters on one but I think the only off the shelf solution is a Lee 150mm kit. The kit itself is serious money and I very much doubt the filters themselves are very cheap either.

Boynielaad said:
Will my 24-70mm simply not be wide enough?
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I would have thought you'd find it too long for interiors. It's a great lens for sure but not ridiculously wide. Maybe with a bit of stitching, it could work.

Boynielaad said:
I am keen to be doing some landscapes and have, today, ordered a 8 stop ND filter. Maybe this would be a good compromise.
Click to expand...

The 24-70 will be excellent for landscapes. If you want to use filters I would forget just about every lens mentioned other than the 16-35 or as as I say the 14-24 but only if you have very deep pockets. Personally I would see how you get on with the 24-70 first. Ultra wides don't always work well with conventional landscapes.

Boynielaad said:
After jpw's comment I'll also look a bit more carefully at the Sigma - you say 'the original'. How will I know the difference?
Click to expand...

I'm not sure if there is now a new version. I used to have one and it was an HSM version. Jessops seem to be selling an HSM II version so maybe an update has been carried out. The Sigma is a nice lens, totally devoid of the distortion that often affects wide angles and really very very wide indeed. My only gripes with mine were that I didn't feel the IQ was that fantastic. It was reasonably sharp but seemed to lack a little contrast. Also, it won't take filters. Well worth a look for interiors though...
 
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