Your favorite wide angle lens?

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18435819
RSA?

Sorry, Residual Spherical Aberrations. The phenomenon of focus shifting to the rear as you stop down. The 17-55 has it. Lots of zooms suffer from it to a minor degree. The hope is that the increase in DOF covers the changing focus position. For most lenses, it does. BC at TDP shows examples of the Sigma 12-24 Art Exhibiting this issue. I can't imagine it matters in that lens. I'd never see it; I shoot UWA at f/8-11 and use HFD (hyper-focal distance) to maximize DOF.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18435817
I honestly think that the assumption of better overall AF in the f/2.8 is also flawed.

You should check Canon's technical information about active points and types vs max aperture.
Some AF points and types can only be used with f/2.8 or larger apertures.
This is not an assumption, but a fact.

Obviously, apart from aperture, the AF motor and lens firmware will greatly affect AF performance.
You cannot compare new lens models to old ones and use that to prove your point.

It is becoming less of a limitation for the few people who can afford the latest and greatest cameras.

Uhm... I would be quite surprised if the former could track BIF better than the latter in all but cherry-picked test conditions. On what do you base your "absolutely better" ?
Also, keep in mind that the 400/5.6 is still in production, and in over 20 years Canon has probably updated AF motor and firmware in the lens a few times without advertising it. Recent copies might be better than older ones, also depending on which camera is used.

CheshireCat wrote in post #18435842
... On what do you base your "absolutely better" ?
....

Only my own first hand experience with the two lenses mentioned, and the fact that the EF 400m f/5.6L has been the favorite of bird photographers since, well 1990s when it was released, for chasing birds in flight. It's terrible long MFD and the very lightweight focus lens group contributed to it's astonishingly fast AF. When I used the old (oh M G heavy) 400 f/2.8 it's weight was the biggest problem of course, but re: AF, it was not as fast as racking from MFD to infinity.

Mind you, this was in good light. At dusk, I am sure the f/2.8 would have won out.

CyberDyneSystems wrote in post #18435854
When I used the old (oh M G heavy) 400 f/2.8 it's weight was the biggest problem of course, but re: AF, it was not as fast as racking from MFD to infinity.

Agree about the weight. That was certainly the main issue.
About MFD, I alwas shoot 400 with the focus limiter.

compare two lenses like say 24-105L and 24-70L II in low light and you'll see the f2.8 does focus better. or in lowish light throw on say a 6-stop ND filter and you'll see the difference.

16-35mm f4 or 24mm 1.4L ii?? Which did you like?

16-35mm f/4 for general purpose....

Sigma Art 20mm F/1.4....

Best price/quality : Tokina 17 f3.5 AT-X Pro prime, only €275-€300, most compact & light wide angle, no flare, accepts filters and sharper than the overpriced 16-35 f2.8L in the corners!
I sold my 16-35 f4L IS cause I found this one too expensive also in the end, the Tokina 16-28 f2.8 is as sharp and way cheaper but too heavy, flare & no filters (or special filters).

James Crockett wrote in post #18432584
Canon wide angle lens. What's your favorite?

On fullframe of on crop?

I use my Canon 10-22 on my 70D for years - and I love it.

I have the Canon 10-22 as my widest lens and love it. If you are a beginner and don't have a lot of lenses I highly recommend 15-85. 15mm is wide enough for most shots.

When I switched to full frame camera I bought a 35mm and using it as my all around lens. It's the best focal length to give the viewer an idea about what the scene looks like in your eyes IMO. But sometimes I need a wider lens and when I mean wide it has to be wide. I ordered the 11-24 because of that, it's on the way. If it wasn't a zoom lens, it was a 11 mm prime I would still go for it. I never used filters, that seems to be the only downside. And I don't think that I'll ever need f2.8 on a wide angle lens.

Just decide what your needs are before you invest. And if you want the best bang for the buck I guess 16-35 f/4 is the most recommended wide angle lens in the market right now.

Samyang 14mm! Extremely sharp corner to corner, zero CA and no Coma so this is great for Astro too! I haven't come across any Canon wide prime or zoom that could match it's optical performance.

My Sigma 24 f/1.4 is my wide lens. I'd love the 20 Art though.

can't decide between my 16-35 f4 or sigma 14 1.8 lol

I shoot with crop bodies only and have been very happy with my Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 lens. The only thing I don't like about it is that the lens cap is very difficult to secure over the glass, but as far as form and function I couldn't be happier with it.

-Joe