Wide Angle Dog Shots

[Zdogs]

Hi I'm after a wide angle lens for mainly dog shots, can anyone recommend a good one, and If possible post some examples and what lens was used. I don't mind some distortion but not really the fisheye type. I've had a look at various canon and sigma lens threads here but still can't make up my mind on one
Preferably In the $600 or so price range If possible and In a prime although will consider a zoom If It's not much more expensive lol
Thanks very much

[Meanderthal]

Welcome to POTN. It would be helpful to know what camera you use, what lenses you already have, do you use external flash, what are you photographing (poses, action shots of a single dog, many dogs at play), indoors or out etc. More details you give, more focused the replies. I, for one, have Canon 50D and for dogs use Canon 17-55mm f/2.8 or Canon 70-200mm f/4 outdoors. Indoors I use the 17-55 sometimes with flash, sometimes without. It all depends on what I plan to achieve.

[Meanderthal]

To answer more specifically: For wide angle, the Canon 17-55 does the job for me. Wider, I have a Tokina 12-24 f/4, which I don't use for dogs. My widest prime is Canon 50mm f/1.4, which I sometimes use for dog portraits for it's shallow depth of field. Good luck.

[Zdogs]

Thanks for your reply Meanderthal, my gear Is In my siggy, I don't have an eternal flash, and I'd like to be able to use both Indoor and out, not so much for action but more posed shots and mainly one subject at a time.
I do like the 70-200 but that Is further down my wish list for now I will check out the 17-55 much appreciated

[Meanderthal]

The Canon 17-55 f/2.8 is a substantial long term investment but you'd love it. Before I got that, I used the Tamron 17-50 f/2.8 non-IS. I still have it, as back-up. On a more modest budget, especially for still shots, it's an excellent lens. There may be other options, of course. For example, I have the Tokina 12-24 f/4, first version, and find it useful for landscapes and some very creative portraits, if one has the courage to stick it right up to the dog.

[Zdogs]

Thanks for your help Meanderthal, the 17-55 Is a really nice lens, but also out of my reach for now..I also seem to have fallen for the primes, so will be getting the Sigma 20mm 1.8 I think It will deliver what I'm after, Cheers

[Meanderthal]

Congratulations! You'll get good depth of field control with that. Let us know how it serves you, and send some pictures.