amfoto1 wrote in post #16564599
I agree....
For the most versatility and very good quality, pick up either a Canon 10-22mm or Tokina 12-24/4. The Canon has the best image quality, AF performance, and unusually good flare resistance. The Tokina is nearly as good in all respects and might be even better built. It feels downright "L-like".
The Tokina 11-16/2.8 is a fine lens, too, but usually a bit more expensive than the 12-24 and a bit more prone to flare. Plus you give up a lot of focal length range in order to get f2.8, which most people really don't need in an ultrawide. It's built just as good as it's sibling.... "L-like".
And, yes, the Rokinon/Samyang 14/2.8 is another fairly affordable option. it also sells under Bower, ProOptic, Vivitar and some other brand names. Exact same lens (Vivitar calls it a 13mm, everyone else calls it a 14mm). So shop around. 14mm is wide, but noticeably less wide than 10, 11 or 12mm. And it's not nearly as versatile as a zoom. Also be aware it's manual focus
and manual aperture only..... so a lot slower to shoot with. Plus, the 14mm has a protruding front element that precludes using standard filters on it. If you decide to get this lens, be sure to take some shots with it immediately using a large aperture and look carefully for one side or the other of the image to be out of focus, an indication of a decentered element. Apparently there are some copies of the lens with this problem. Most are fine, though. Just check for it and be prepared to exchange it, if you happen to get a bad copy.
More expensive, but wider is the Sigma 8-16mm.... in fact it's the widest lens available, unless you go with a fisheye. There's strong wide angle distortion with this lens, but that's to be expected with such a wide lens. This lens also has a protruding front lens element, that prevents mounting filters in the usual manner.
There are also Sigma 10-20mm and Tamron 10-24mm ultrawides. There actually are two versions of the Siggy... a cheaper one with a variable aperture, and a more expensive and considerably larger one with f3.5 constant aperture. Most of these lenses mentioned here use 77mm filters. The SIggy 10-22mm f3.5 requires 82mm, which tend to be considerably more expensive. The variable aperture Siggy and the Tamron are often the lowest priced lenses in this class, when bought new. The Tamron boasts the widest range of focal lengths in a single UWA zoom. It tends to be a bit soft at the 24mm end of the range.
Note: Regarding filters on the lenses with protruding front elements, that can't be fitted with standard, screw-in filters. There are DIY methods and even starting to be some kits for these lenses, that allow large, rectangular filters to be mounted via an adapter that clamps onto the front of the lens. One concern when using this type of filter setup is that it's difficult to shade from oblique light, hard to fit with any sort of lens hood.
There really are lots of options. So first think about what you need in the lensand then spend some time shopping around.
