condyk
7th of May 2005 (Sat), 15:52
I've never had a wide lens (kit lens doesn't count!) Until now, I've always gone for length because my main 95% photographic interest has been wildlife, particulary shooting in Southern Africa and other 'exotic places'. However, the more I've looked at other peoples shots the more I've seen the possibilities, so after lots of research I shortlisted about five.
I usually only buy second hand lenses and was very clear about my budget limits: for the wide, it would be £370, about the amount I got after selling my Sigma 70-200mm F2.8.
A few opportunities came and went, selling at too high a price, not boxed, a few paint chips, whatever (resale value is important to me!) and then I finally bought a MINT Tokina 20-35mm f2.8 Pro ... and I still almost had enough change left in the budget to buy a brand new Tamron 28-75mm f2.8! New retail in Uk from around £425, so potentially a great SH Tokina buy!
It finally arrived this morning and this thing is built like a tank, very well put together, quite heavy and solid. It gives confidence. Great reviews: 9's out of 10's and 4.5's out 5 all over the place!
High hopes for sure!! I do think that too often the same models are mentioned simply because the same models are mentioned. But dig around and there are a number of alternative lenses in each category that are well worth a look ... and you'll buy them cheaper too! It was a big gamble ... but I think it's paid off :p
How do I know that? My SIgma 50-500mm 'Bigma' is the best lens I have ever used: it beat my ex Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and my ex Canon 70-200 F4 for absolute sharpness and dynamism. There is an almost 3D dimensional quality to images when it is performing at it's best and so my benchmark is clear.
Could the Tokina compete? The simple answer is I believe it can ... or so near as dammit that it doesn't really matter ... and because it's NOT a Canon 17-40mm F4 you don't have to pay through the nose to get one.
So, a few quick samples are needed to back up my case ... I went to Longleat, a 10 minute drive and somewhere I pop over to on a regular basis for some fresh air and photo opportunities. By coincidence there was a open air show of 2nd WW style vehicles and so I took 20 snaps or so. Immediately, things fit in the wide lens frame easily. This isn't a super wide but what an improvement. It could almost be a short walk around.
Below are two images taken from the same standing place, give or take, both hand held. Not much tuning needed in PS at all, a quick contrast change for each. Note that the matt paintwork is a feature of these vehicles and NOT anything to do with the shots :)
First shot is taken with the Bigma at 50mm and second with the Tokina at 35mm (I have some Tokina shots at 20mm and they are fine too ... my main concern was comparing sharpness and ability to portray dynamic colours and contrast).
The other two images, in my next post, are 100% crops from the above two images and showing details. I think they are very close. The Sigma shows a very mild yellowish cast, which is normal for this lens in my experience, while the Tamron seems more neutral. I would say the Bigma is a tad sharper, but not much in it worth worrying about. The Tokina seems somehow more lifelike ... not much in it either!
Not a scientific test at all ... for me the issue is about having a set of lenses that perform similarly well and, for me, these two meet my fairly exacting standards. Both produce lots of keepers that need minimal PS attention too. If I can get 95% of the best Canon quality for 60-70% of Canon prices them I am happy.
I have a new Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 due to arrive on Monday (I said I had plenty of change!), so hopefully, that's me covered apart from a MAcro jobbie :D
Comments welcome ... maybe my eyes are totally shot or something :lol: :lol:
Bigma left and Tokina right ...
I usually only buy second hand lenses and was very clear about my budget limits: for the wide, it would be £370, about the amount I got after selling my Sigma 70-200mm F2.8.
A few opportunities came and went, selling at too high a price, not boxed, a few paint chips, whatever (resale value is important to me!) and then I finally bought a MINT Tokina 20-35mm f2.8 Pro ... and I still almost had enough change left in the budget to buy a brand new Tamron 28-75mm f2.8! New retail in Uk from around £425, so potentially a great SH Tokina buy!
It finally arrived this morning and this thing is built like a tank, very well put together, quite heavy and solid. It gives confidence. Great reviews: 9's out of 10's and 4.5's out 5 all over the place!
High hopes for sure!! I do think that too often the same models are mentioned simply because the same models are mentioned. But dig around and there are a number of alternative lenses in each category that are well worth a look ... and you'll buy them cheaper too! It was a big gamble ... but I think it's paid off :p
How do I know that? My SIgma 50-500mm 'Bigma' is the best lens I have ever used: it beat my ex Sigma 70-200 f2.8 and my ex Canon 70-200 F4 for absolute sharpness and dynamism. There is an almost 3D dimensional quality to images when it is performing at it's best and so my benchmark is clear.
Could the Tokina compete? The simple answer is I believe it can ... or so near as dammit that it doesn't really matter ... and because it's NOT a Canon 17-40mm F4 you don't have to pay through the nose to get one.
So, a few quick samples are needed to back up my case ... I went to Longleat, a 10 minute drive and somewhere I pop over to on a regular basis for some fresh air and photo opportunities. By coincidence there was a open air show of 2nd WW style vehicles and so I took 20 snaps or so. Immediately, things fit in the wide lens frame easily. This isn't a super wide but what an improvement. It could almost be a short walk around.
Below are two images taken from the same standing place, give or take, both hand held. Not much tuning needed in PS at all, a quick contrast change for each. Note that the matt paintwork is a feature of these vehicles and NOT anything to do with the shots :)
First shot is taken with the Bigma at 50mm and second with the Tokina at 35mm (I have some Tokina shots at 20mm and they are fine too ... my main concern was comparing sharpness and ability to portray dynamic colours and contrast).
The other two images, in my next post, are 100% crops from the above two images and showing details. I think they are very close. The Sigma shows a very mild yellowish cast, which is normal for this lens in my experience, while the Tamron seems more neutral. I would say the Bigma is a tad sharper, but not much in it worth worrying about. The Tokina seems somehow more lifelike ... not much in it either!
Not a scientific test at all ... for me the issue is about having a set of lenses that perform similarly well and, for me, these two meet my fairly exacting standards. Both produce lots of keepers that need minimal PS attention too. If I can get 95% of the best Canon quality for 60-70% of Canon prices them I am happy.
I have a new Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 due to arrive on Monday (I said I had plenty of change!), so hopefully, that's me covered apart from a MAcro jobbie :D
Comments welcome ... maybe my eyes are totally shot or something :lol: :lol:
Bigma left and Tokina right ...