Wideangle options for a D700

strax

strax

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Robert
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OK, I have just got a D700 (thanks DanBroad:thumbs:) and now I am looking for a wideangle for it.

the 14-24 is out, too expensive, no filters
the 16-35VR a bit expensive too, so-so reviews regarding distortion?
the 18-35 real cheap, so-so reviews too
Tokina 17-35, a bit of an unknown but I have been more than happy with my 11-16
Nikon 20mm 2.8 an option, but I might miss the zoom

So anyone any opinions on my choices or have I left something out?
 
Just get the 16-35. For the money its the best available and the distortion isnt really that bad. Its easily fixed in Lightroom. Plus the VR is actually really usefull, great for low light hand held landscapes.

Other options are the older Nikon 17-35 or the Sigma 12-24,
 
TCR4x4 said:
Just get the 16-35. For the money its the best available and the distortion isnt really that bad. Its easily fixed in Lightroom. Plus the VR is actually really usefull, great for low light hand held landscapes.

Other options are the older Nikon 17-35 or the Sigma 12-24,
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Thanks for that Tom, it might be out of my price range though unless I get a decent second hand one. The Nikon 17-35 is another option but second hand too, I suppose.

The Sigma is out, no filters and can have iffy quality issues.
 
Nikon 16-35mm f/4 VR here as well, the distortion is nowhere near as bad as some make out, heres a quicky just taken now, apologies for the noise as its ISO 6400 @ f/11 indoors and no flash, should add this is at it's absolute worst at 16mm

161.jpg
 
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Sigma 20mm 1.8? I have one and its lovely. Its not tiny but a lot more easier to lug around than my 14-24
 
I use a 18-35 on my D700, dead cheap and sharp, a little bit of distortion, but as long as you aren't doing architecture it's fine for landscapes.
 
kman said:
Sigma 20mm 1.8? I have one and its lovely. Its not tiny but a lot more easier to lug around than my 14-24
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I hadn't thought about that one but I suppose it's hit or miss getting a good copy.

EYE_ON_ME said:
How about the nikon 24mm 2.8?
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Thats another I was considering, I'm not sure if I would miss going wider though.

yslim88 said:
you can still use your tokina 11-16 on it. Only on the 16mm end though.
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OK, I gotta try this one tomorrow!

redddraggon said:
I use a 18-35 on my D700, dead cheap and sharp, a little bit of distortion, but as long as you aren't doing architecture it's fine for landscapes.
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That one was a consideration...:thinking:
 
Another vote for the 16-35. Also nice to use on the crop sensor.
 
strax said:
OK, I have just got a D700 (thanks DanBroad:thumbs:) and now I am looking for a wideangle for it.

the 14-24 is out, too expensive, no filters
the 16-35VR a bit expensive too, so-so reviews regarding distortion?
the 18-35 real cheap, so-so reviews too
Tokina 17-35, a bit of an unknown but I have been more than happy with my 11-16
Nikon 20mm 2.8 an option, but I might miss the zoom

So anyone any opinions on my choices or have I left something out?
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Don't worry about distortion so much - these days it can be fixed with a single click of a mouse in Lightroom, and probably other editors.

The important thing is to get a nice and sharp copy (applies to the whole list)

17-35 Tokina is something I consider as well - but I'm held back by low availability, some reports of poor QC, 82mm filters, and apparently is very flare prone but very sharp.

For now use the Tokina 11-16mm - it should definitely work well at 16mm.
 
strax said:
...the 14-24 is out, too expensive, no filters...
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Filters have been available for some time for the 14-24 and as I'm a big fan of the lens due to its performance I feel duty bound to correct this oft repeated inaccuracy:lol:

If I didn't have a large investment in standard filters I'd get a 14-24 no problem- used one a few times on Nikon and Canon and it's great.

When I got my 17-35 there were limited options although I need f2.8 so had the 16-35 been around I'd not have bought one. Never had any issues with the 16-35 I used although I am now aware of some QC issues with them but I think the key is do you need f2.8 or is f4 good enough as they are both great lenses?

I would use your Tokina 11-16 until I could get one of these three Nikons.
 
would I be able to use my Nikon 18-70 DX lens on a FF anyone know. It's sharp on DX

Peter
 
I've used an 18-35 a fair bit on my D700. I think it's quite an underrated lens for landscape usage. It's not particularly sharp wide open and it's true that there is a fair bit of distortion but at F8 or F11, it's sharp. For landscapes, that's more or less all I use. It's pretty light too. Worth a look given they're less than £200 used.
 
Loads of choices then. I might just stick with the tokina 11-16 for now until I get some cash back together.
Incidentally the tokina at 16mm on full frame will that be the same field of view as a 24 mm or will it be 16mm?
 
gramps said:
Good economical option :thumbs:
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But is the quality any good though?
 
strax said:
But is the quality any good though?
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Is it as good as the 14-24, no - but it's an entirely different price tag, for what it costs I believe it offers a very good economical option - the one I had was good and sharp. I'm sure there are some bad ones out there but I believe this is the same for any lens - I've moaned about 2 x 16-35's I tried and everyone says they are brilliant but my 2 were appalling IQ.
 
strax said:
Loads of choices then. I might just stick with the tokina 11-16 for now until I get some cash back together.
Incidentally the tokina at 16mm on full frame will that be the same field of view as a 24 mm or will it be 16mm?
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At 16mm on full frame it will be very much like using the 11mm end on a crop sensor.

Personally I would sell it on and buy something designed for full frame. You'll get good money for it.
 
strax said:
But is the quality any good though?
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I've spent considerable time looking through hundreds of samples on pixel peeper and am yet to find the first half decent sample. It is 15mm, but what softness they have! You get what you pay for.

I suppose it all depends on peoples tolerance levels. Many rave about 17-40 and how good it is - I say it's junk. Well I'm on the way to getting Zeiss glass by the looks of it then.
 
gad-westy said:
At 16mm on full frame it will be very much like using the 11mm end on a crop sensor.

Personally I would sell it on and buy something designed for full frame. You'll get good money for it.
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Selling it on is the plan but I will also need some extra cash too to get a full frame replacement. At the moment, I'm skint after the d700 purchase
 
You could consider the Samyang 14mm manual focus. It is very cheap brand new, will meter with your D700 and sharpness and generally IQ is on a par with the Nikon 14-24 according to photozine.de

At 14mm manual focus is not a major issue especially if you use it for landscapes or interiors.
 
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