Wide angle lens choices...

[Illegally_Alive]

I'm looking at WA lenses for a 20D and was just wondering if anyone had any comments on these, and if one was much better than the others:

Sigma:
12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM $667.89
15-30mm F3.5-4.5 EX DG DF $577.89
17-35mm f/2.8-4 EX Aspherical DG HSM $467.89

Tamron:
17-35MM F/2.8-4 SP AF Di LD Aspherical (IF) $464.89

Canon:
EF 17-40mm F4.0 L USM $678

I'm leaning towards the less expensinve, but I want good quality.
Thanks for any input!

P.S. I like the idea of having a faster lens, but if I have to choose quality over speed, I'll choose quality.

[roanjohn]

GO for the L.

You won't regret it.

Ro1

[Olegis]

Sigma:
15-30mm F3.5-4.5 EX DG DF $577.89


I have this lens and I am happy with it very much. You can get it from www.deltainternational.com for about $100 less.

[scottbergerphoto]

Since you said quality:
The Canon 16-35 f/2.8 . Yes, it is expensive, but you'll never need to buy another wide angle zoom.
Regards,
Scott

[iof]

Sigma:
12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX Aspherical DG HSM $667.89



Have had this lens for a couple days now and really like it so far. The lens zooms in the opposite direction of my Canon lenses, so that is going to take some getting use to.

[ron chappel]

I'm really surprised the sigma 12-24 owners haven't joined in yet-that lens usually gets lots of praise.Don't buy until you check it out.12mm is a proper wide angle on a DSLR *and* you can use it at the full 12mm on film!!

[timmyquest]

I'm in the same situation and seriously thinking about the 12-24.

Canons 15mm prime (fisheye) looks apealing too though.

[montyl]

I may have jumped the gun when i was looking for a WA lense, but so far I have no complaints. I bought the Sigma 12-24mm as it has the wides field of view of any non-fish eye lense out there. Yes the Canon lenses are of superior quality, and the L lenses are the best. But since I only do WA occasionally, I bought an occasional lense, and so far I am very impressed with it. If you have someplace that you can take your camera body in and try the lense on it, by all means do so.

[jgbeam]

Sigma 12-24. No regrets. The 12mm has allowed shots that would be otherwise impossible.

Jim

[montyl]

I may have jumped the gun when i was looking for a WA lense, but so far I have no complaints. I bought the Sigma 12-24mm as it has the wides field of view of any non-fish eye lense out there. Yes the Canon lenses are of superior quality, and the L lenses are the best. But since I only do WA occasionally, I bought an occasional lense, and so far I am very impressed with it. If you have someplace that you can take your camera body in and try the lense on it, by all means do so.

[evilenglishman]

see this post: http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=40753

[RikWriter]

I like my Sigma 12-24 very much so far. It's wonderful for landscapes and cityscapes.

[JLS Photo]

I have a collection of links to reviews that I have found helpful on my website below...or a direct link:

Lens Reviews (http://www.pbase.com/jlsphoto/equipment_review)

Personally, I have been very happy with my Sigma 15-30; however, I am eye-balling the Sigma 12-24. I'm currently selling my 15-30, so I'll post a link in the buy/sell forum.

[Alexis427]

I have the sigma 12-24 which is great, but i found the canon 15mm FE to be much more fun and dynamic, its now my favorite lens

[Kenski]

I'm in the same situation and seriously thinking about the 12-24.

Canons 15mm prime (fisheye) looks apealing too though.

I have the 15mm prime and let me tell you, This lens is AMAZING. I could not belive the images it captures even when you take it down to 2.8 it is still very clear. I am very happy with it. The distortion on the x1.6 is alittle bit but from an artistic stand point at times I like it. I do have PTLens and when I don't want the distortion *PRESTO* it is gone. I love that plug-in, works wonders. That is money well spent!

[Spargo]

Don't fisheyes make the photo look all funky?

[Mark Kemp]

I have the 17-40L and its very sharp and handles well.

I borrowed a mates sigma 15-30 and the quality was pretty close (not quite as good but not much in it) but I hated the handling. Annoying built in hood and a bit heavy. Worst of all you have to switch AF off and pull the focus ring forward to use MF. The Canon allows manual focussing even when switched to AF, which is much better!