Ultra wide angle with AF

Something wider than 17mm for full frame. Can't afford Canon L's like the 14mm or the 16-35 (not worth the extra 1mm right now). I saw Sigma 12-24 but is there a lens that's tad bit cheaper in price?

Samyang 14mm!

UKmitch86 wrote in post #16946019
Samyang 14mm!

+1, great lens for the price.

Does the Sammy 14mm have AF?

UKmitch86 wrote in post #16946019
Samyang 14mm!

Heard good things about this lens but no filter means a big deal for landscape

LPT wrote in post #16946027
Heard good things about this lens but no filter means a big deal for landscape

I think there's a reasonable hack for that, maybe even a dedicated kit from Lee etc.

By the way, no AF on a 14mm is really not a problem - go read about Hyperfocal Distance.

Well I need AF for real estate as I put the camera in the corner and shoot away with my Android. It would make it more difficult and time consuming otherwise.

Aki78 wrote in post #16946112
Well I need AF for real estate as I put the camera in the corner and shoot away with my Android. It would make it more difficult and time consuming otherwise.

Eh? AF is about as useful for real estate as it is for landscape - especially at 14mm.

Just use Live View to fine tune your focus once for a given aperture and leave it set for the whole shoot. Make marks on the barrel and ring for future shoots, even.

MNUplander wrote in post #16946260
Eh? AF is about as useful for real estate as it is for landscape - especially at 14mm.

Just use Live View to fine tune your focus once for a given aperture and leave it set for the whole shoot. Make marks on the barrel and ring for future shoots, even.

I guess if it's wide enough and have some room to make the adjustment then sure I can work with that. But I found myself trying to squeeze the camera with my 17-35 in the far corner without any room to get behind the camera so I figured AF would help a ton.

I think with AF the SIGMA might be the only game in town.. "out of the box".


Many of the 3rd party ultra wides in the 8-11mm range can be used on FF, and will give you wider than 17mm before the vignette creeps in.

Aki78 wrote in post #16946599
I guess if it's wide enough and have some room to make the adjustment then sure I can work with that. But I found myself trying to squeeze the camera with my 17-35 in the far corner without any room to get behind the camera so I figured AF would help a ton.

You have a 6D in your gear list... use the WiFi, should make this a complete non-issue. I've taken self portraits with my 6D using a MF 135/2.8 wide open and it was really easy, doing what you're describing would be even easier.

Aki78 wrote in post #16946599
I guess if it's wide enough and have some room to make the adjustment then sure I can work with that. But I found myself trying to squeeze the camera with my 17-35 in the far corner without any room to get behind the camera so I figured AF would help a ton.

I understand the constraint of being tucked in a corner better now (sorry, I missed that).

But, what I'm saying is that you shouldnt really need to focus for each and every room or house anyway. Using an aperture like f11/f16 at 14mm on FF, you should be able to use the distance scale along with consideration of hyperfocal distances and have a HUGE margin of error.

Even if the marked distances are not accurate in terms of the units of measure (as they may not be on the Samyang), their positions will always be a reference point for how your lens works.

This method works reasonably well (there are no set rules but as a guideline) for landscapes that will be printed very large and requiring huge DOF, particularly at 14mm. There's no reason it shouldnt work like a charm for rooms that have finite DOF and will likely not ever be printed larger than a brochure book - if they even make it off the website.

EverydayGetaway wrote in post #16946761
You have a 6D in your gear list... use the WiFi, should make this a complete non-issue. I've taken self portraits with my 6D using a MF 135/2.8 wide open and it was really easy, doing what you're describing would be even easier.

MNUplander wrote in post #16947072
I understand the constraint of being tucked in a corner better now (sorry, I missed that).

But, what I'm saying is that you shouldnt really need to focus for each and every room or house anyway. Using an aperture like f11/f16 at 14mm on FF, you should be able to use the distance scale along with consideration of hyperfocal distances and have a HUGE margin of error.

Even if the marked distances are not accurate in terms of the units of measure (as they may not be on the Samyang), their positions will always be a reference point for how your lens works.

This method works reasonably well (there are no set rules but as a guideline) for landscapes that will be printed very large and requiring huge DOF, particularly at 14mm. There's no reason it shouldnt work like a charm for rooms that have finite DOF and will likely not ever be printed larger than a brochure book - if they even make it off the website.

Ah it makes sense. Thanks guys, I will have to consider the Sammy. Of course 12mm on the Sigma is very attractive of course. One day.

The Samyang also has big time barrel distortion that will require correction in real estate shots.
The older Sigma EX 14mm f/2.8 is AF, has less distortion and generally sells used for less than a new Samyang.

2ndviolinman wrote in post #16947921
The Samyang also has big time barrel distortion that will require correction in real estate shots.
The older Sigma EX 14mm f/2.8 is AF, has less distortion and generally sells used for less than a new Samyang.

It's not barrel distortion but mustache distortion. Though, add a $25 copy of PT Lens to the purchase price and you've got nearly a one click solution - the PT lens profile is great. And, doesnt the Sigma 14 have pronounced mustache distortion too?

I've never personally used the Sigma but I know the Samyang to be very good. And, the consensus on the net seems to be the Samyang has better flare control and corner/edge sharpness. But, maybe the sharpness piece isnt critical given the small output size of most real estate photos.