Perfect wide-angle lens?

Hey there,

So i am looking to buy my first lens for the Canon 5d Mark iii, and am hoping for some suggestions as I am feeling overwhelmed by all the options. Here's some details about my photography, and what i want

- looking for a fixed focal length, wide angle lens

- I shoot all in nature, mostly landscapes, some close-ups and portraits.

- I want an F-stop that will give me extremely sharp detail, as I love shooting in the forest, waterfalls, etc. and want all the details of ferns, moss, trees, etc. to be clear.

- Also would like to start shooting night skies, so something good in low light.

- I am a traveller/backpacker so I want something lightweight, and not too crazy looking as I travel in poor countries.

- I am newer to photography, so looking for something fairly easy to use...autofocus, etc. ideally

- If it can do alright close-ups and/or macros then thats a bonus but not necessary, as I'm planning to get a macro lens at some point soonish as well.


Hopefully there's some pros out here, who could point me in the right direction of some suitable lenses for me.
For anyone interested here's my instagram: http://instagram.com/e​lvienphotography ( all my recent shots have been with a Canon t5i or sony rx100)

Infinite Gratitude!

Wide angle lenses aren't known for their "close-up", i.e., macro capabilities. Something that is wide, sharp, good in low light, and not too "crazy" looking would be the Sigma Art 20mm f/1.4. Something that is really wide and really sharp would be the Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 but it's manual focus and manual aperture (still easy to use however). There is no one lens to do everything you want on your list, but a good 24-70 comes close.

Heya,

Edit: Phew, somehow walked right over the 5D3 note, and some how saw your T5i note at the bottom. Apologies.

Canon 35 F2 IS
Canon 28 F2.8 IS
Canon 24 F2.8 IS
Canon 20 F2.8
Canon 28 F1.8
Sigma 20 F1.4 ART
Sigma 24 F1.4 ART
Sigma 35 F1.4 ART

***************

Wide angle on APS-C with everything you're asking is a tall order. So it really depends on how wide you consider to be wide angle.

I'd start looking at:

Canon 35mm F2 IS
Canon 28mm F1.8
Canon 28mm F2.8 IS
Sigma 30mm F1.4 ART
Sigma 20mm F1.4 ART
Tokina 11-16 F2.8
Tokina 16-28 F2.8

Very best,

What you willing to spend?

Id also say the 20mm sigma would be worth a look.

MalVeauX wrote in post #17813615
Heya,

Wide angle on APS-C with everything you're asking is a tall order. So it really depends on how wide you consider to be wide angle.

I'd start looking at:

Canon 35mm F2 IS
Canon 28mm F1.8
Canon 28mm F2.8 IS
Sigma 30mm F1.4 ART
Sigma 20mm F1.4 ART
Tokina 11-16 F2.8
Tokina 16-28 F2.8

Very best,

OP, in cases this is news to you, your 5D Mark III is NOT APS-C. It is full frame. The highlighted lenses will not work on your 5DIII.

My suggestions for wide and fast on full frame are the Sigma 20mm and 24mm f/1.4|A lenses. $900 & $850, respectively.

MalVeauX wrote in post #17813615
Heya,

Wide angle on APS-C with everything you're asking is a tall order. So it really depends on how wide you consider to be wide angle.

I'd start looking at:

Canon 35mm F2 IS
Canon 28mm F1.8
Canon 28mm F2.8 IS
Sigma 30mm F1.4 ART
Sigma 20mm F1.4 ART
Tokina 11-16 F2.8
Tokina 16-28 F2.8

Very best,

I'll second the first 3 Canon primes listed above - for your 5D3. Each has its virtues.

you could add - for consideration - Canon's older 20mm f2.8 and the newer 24mm f2.8 IS.

that's 5 wide, affordable primes, 4 after eliminating one of the 28mm's.

Setting aside the 35mm (my fave focal length) which I don't really consider a WA - I know - technically it is) - but leaving the 35mm IS in the bag, if I could have but 1 wide prime, I grab the 20mm - despite its age and curved focal plane. 2nd choice would be the 28/1.8, as some days you just need a fast lens.

however, if I could own but 1 wide angle lens, today, it would be a zoom - the 16-35mm f/4L is usm. it's a very nice, solid, capable lens. it's not everything for everybody, but it offers a lot of quality and flexibility. thankfully, I'm not limited to a single wide angle lens.

creatively, the two wide angle lenses I enjoy the most are the rokinon 14mm f2.8 (manual but easy) and the canon 11-24mm. from one extreme cost-wise to another, but both (for me) are lenses I enjoy working. I'm out of superlatives describing these 2.

enjoy,
Dale

I think based on your style, the Tamron 35mm f1.8 VC would fit you best.

Your shots are wide angle, but not ultrawide, lots of normal widish shots. The 35 is fairly close focusing, like 1:3 macro or something. Another option is Canon 28mm f2.8

24mm TS-E f/3.5L II.