Wide angle lens advice please

[Leigh K]

Hi everyone,

I have just bought a D30 and I'm reallt impressed with the camera. The images however don't seem too sharp but reading the posts I understand that this is a camera trait.

My real question relates to wide angle lenses. Most of my photography requires a wide angle lense and because the camera multiplies the focal length by 1.6 my existing wide angle isn't really wide enough now.

I wonder if anybody can recommend a reasonably price wide angle as I don't have a vast amount to spend on a new lense after shelling out for the D30 body. I think that I need at least a 14mm to end up with a wide enough lens. Is the Sigma a reasonable buy ?.

Thanks and regards

Leigh

[DanS]

Hi Leigh:

While I continue to experiment with my Sigma 14mm f/2.8; overall, I'm very pleased. Colors are excellent and exposure appears consistent corner to corner.

Photodo rates it a 3.1 vs 3.5 for my Canon 28-135 IS zoom. It may be a tad soft in terms of resolution, but with some PS sharpening, results are great!

Since I purchased the 14mm, I believe Sigma released their 17-35 USM and some 20-40 zooms. I'd make a close comparison between the 14mm and these, since they might have some added flexibility for your usage.

[Scarlet]

Here is one pic taken by Sigma 15-30 F3.5/4.5

http://www.photosharp.com.tw/lenstest/sigma/sigma15-30mm-demo02-1024.jpg

[DanS]

Very nice, Scarlet.

Here are some landscapes taken with the Sigma 14mm f/2.8 EX.

http://myshell.veriomail.com/dans/snowy.htm

I'm still trying to find the best digital workflow for preparing JPEG/fine for viewing on the Internet. Maybe Pekka could create a separate section just for discussing and sharing digital darkroom procedures and tips.

[Pekka]

I agree to DanS.

It's a fine lens, but make some tests that the unit your get is evenly sharp. My third one was ok. Scroll to the bottom of page

See bottom of
this list (http://photography-on-the.net/D30/list.php?sortby=3&t=9999&size=1)

and you'll get some photos with that lens.

My comment on my gallery about that lens is:

" had to go though three units before I found a good one. Sigma has a lot to improve in their factory quality control - their customer service in one of the finest, though. This is a lens for capturing small spaces, architeture and making special perspective effects. It's sharp from f/3.5 upwards, and f/8 has very good sharpness. It has an inbuilt lens hood which is not enough in many cases - colorful and strong lens flares are a big problem with this lens if you're not careful."

I think I'll get a 20 or 24mm, too, as 14mm perspective is too deep in most people shots.

Pekka

[DanS]

Pekka:

1) In one of these threads you indicated that you were looking at the Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L USM. Other than price, is there anything that would steer you away from this lens?

2) With regard to your "flat and dull" assessment of the Canon 28-135mm, is it possible to use in-camera 'Parameter' settings to compensate?

[JCDoss]

DanS wrote:
1) In one of these threads you indicated that you were looking at the Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L IS USM. Other than price, is there anything that would steer you away from this lens?

How about it's existence? FYI, this lens does not exist, nor have many rumors of it's potential existence been floating around.

JCDoss

[DanS]

Sorry, that IS just jumped in there. :-)

[Roger_Cavanagh]

Leigh,

Not going to offer specific wide-angle lens advice - my widest is a cheapo Vivitar 19-35, which is OK for the money, but not wide enough for what you're after. However, don't forget that the 1.6 factor is a double-edged sword in this situation. Yes, the viewing angle is restricted by the CMOS size, but this has the advantage that optical defects/weaknesses at the edges of a lens may not show up on the D30 as they will be outside the viewing area. Ergo, you may be able to get away with a cheaper lens.

Happy hunting,

Roger

[Pekka]

DanS wrote:
Pekka:

1) In one of these threads you indicated that you were looking at the Canon 28-70mm f/2.8L USM. Other than price, is there anything that would steer you away from this lens?


Only if I can get e.g. 20, 28, 35 primes which are 1.4-2.0 apereture. What I've experienced in last three months has gave me a firm view that you can never have too sensitive a lens.

2) With regard to your "flat and dull" assessment of the Canon 28-135mm, is it possible to use in-camera 'Parameter' settings to compensate?

Of course you can tweak contrast and colors forever, but you can not affect DoF, bokeh and how MTF curves go....

Try before you buy - you might love 28-135 IS. Get second opinions.

[fishfool]

hi, I'm a member of this network of fish enthusiasts (http://thereeftank.com) and part of the reason I am on this board is to get good tips for aquarium photography.. I wanted to know if anyone had any experience with aquarium photography especially in the realm of what wide angle lenses are the best for that kind of work, that can deal with water and glass refraction while still capturing the beautiful color of the animals as closely as possible. thanks, fishfool @ thereeftank