Recommendation for Ultra-Wide Angle Lens

I have a Canon 6D & a EF 24-105mm f/4L as my walkaround lens of choice. However, I am discovering more situations where a wider-angle zoom lens would be ideal. Although the Canon EF16-35mm f/4L is quite alluring, I am not sure that it would be preferable to go with yet a wider lens. Having said that, I looked at the Canon 11-24mm f/4L but was deterred by the price tag.

Thus, the question I have is: for those of you familiar with non-Canon lenses somewhere in the 10-24mm range, can you recommend a suitable lens with an IQ on par with the Canon L-series lenses, but at a price point around $1000-$1200? Thank you so much.

One issue with the ultra wide lenses is that the glass is bulbous so you can't use typical screw mount filter systems with them. Some companies make adapters / mounts for the UWAs but they are pricey.

I shoot a lot of landscapes and find the 16-35 f/4 to be very good for the task. I like long exposures so adding filters to it is simple and reasonable.

Sigma has a new 12-24 f/4 that is supposed to compete with Canon's 11-24 at a $1,600 price point. I haven't seen any real world reviews of it yet. It does have the bulbous front glass.

Tamron has a new 15-30 but I have not read about it yet.

I also have a Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 which is very sharp for an inexpensive lens. It is manual focus, but the version I have has a focus confirmation chip. It's front element is bulbous so I don't use filters with it. I did recently shoot the ruins of a graphite mill with it and the extra 2mm over the 16-35 was helpful. Many people like it for astro work as well.

Thank you for the heads-up on the attachment of filters. It was something I hadn't considered.

I must admit that I am quite impressed with the reports on the Canon 16-35mm f/4L. I'm just a bit concerned whether the widest angle (i.e. 16mm) will be sufficient compared to my Canon 24-105mm lens.

What about a Rokinon 12mm? It is tack sharp and a fantastic lens, even though its completely manual. $375 new and can be found used for a bit cheaper than that.

kitjv wrote in post #18166621
I'm just a bit concerned whether the widest angle (i.e. 16mm) will be sufficient compared to my Canon 24-105mm lens.

Have you even used an ultra wide? 16mm is quite a bit wider then 24mm. If you're not sure that 16mm will be wide enough then renting one might be a good idea before you drop your hard earned money.

johnandbentley wrote in post #18166658
What about a Rokinon 12mm? It is tack sharp and a fantastic lens, even though its completely manual. $375 new and can be found used for a bit cheaper than that.

The rokinon 12mm is a great lens but last I knew they didn't make it in an ef mount. I think they have a 12mm f2.8 in ef mount but that is a fisheye.

Yes, i have used a 10mm lens in the past. But in all honesty, I would likely use anything wider than a 16mm only occasionally (interior architecture comes to mind). So I an leaning toward the EF 16-35mm.

kitjv wrote in post #18167059
Yes, i have used a 10mm lens in the past. But in all honesty, I would likely use anything wider than a 16mm only occasionally (interior architecture comes to mind). So I an leaning toward the EF 16-35mm.

10mm on a crop or a full frame body?

Canon's 10-22mm is one I have and like. An EFS lens so doesn't work on full frame, but does on crop sensors.

gremlin75 wrote in post #18167428
10mm on a crop or a full frame body?

On a crop body (60D).

kitjv wrote in post #18167525
On a crop body (60D).

Ok awesome. So you want a wider angle, or a wider field of view, then 24mm on your 6D

The field of view from a 10mm lens on a crop camera (60D) is the same as the field of view from a 16mm on a full frame camera (6D). So ask yourself, was 10mm wide enough on your 60D. If it was then 16mm on a full frame (your 6D) will be the same. If it wasn't wide enough then you will need something wider like the rokinon 14mm, canon 11-24mm, or sigma 12-24mm lens.

kitjv wrote in post #18167059
Yes, i have used a 10mm lens in the past. But in all honesty, I would likely use anything wider than a 16mm only occasionally (interior architecture comes to mind). So I an leaning toward the EF 16-35mm.

10mm on APS-C is going to look similar to 16mm on full frame.

So the 16-35 is probably the way to go for you. It's very wide.

If you need wider than that, it will be a prime (12mm or 14mm), or it will be Canon's expensive 11mm.

Very best,

kitjv wrote in post #18167525
On a crop body (60D).

Just fyi, your original post says you have a 6D, not a 60D.

I own the Tamron 15-30mm and can highly recommend it, way better than I expected it to be. It does have a convex front element (filter issue), and Vibration Control (Tamron's IS) makes it rather heavy, so full disclosure: I'm selling mine for the 16-35mm f/2.8 III. If you don't think you need f/2.8 then the best option available is the Canon 16-35mm f/4.

Everybody needs a UWA (personal opinion)!

Edit: Oops, you have an APS-C body. Neither of the above lenses will work, and while there are very good UWA for Canon APS-C you're not going to find anything "L" quality.

Nethawked wrote in post #18173798
I own the Tamron 15-30mm and can highly recommend it, way better than I expected it to be. It does have a convex front element (filter issue), and Vibration Control (Tamron's IS) makes it rather heavy, so full disclosure: I'm selling mine for the 16-35mm f/2.8 III. If you don't think you need f/2.8 then the best option available is the Canon 16-35mm f/4.

Everybody needs a UWA (personal opinion)!

Edit: Oops, you have an APS-C body. Neither of the above lenses will work, and while there are very good UWA for Canon APS-C you're not going to find anything "L" quality.

there are some very good 10 - 22 lenses that approach L quality in build and product. I rented a couple of time before I bought and did notice that some were sharper than others but the one I bought produces images comparable to the 17 - 40 L glass I have.

noopi wrote in post #18173658
Just fyi, your original post says you have a 6D, not a 60D.

I think he was just answering my question as to which body he's used a 10mm lens on (60D) and that the 6D that he said he has in his first post is his current body

Nethawked wrote in post #18173798
Edit: Oops, you have an APS-C body. Neither of the above lenses will work, and while there are very good UWA for Canon APS-C you're not going to find anything "L" quality.

See my above quote reply. I believe he does in fact have a full frame body (6D) so your suggestions would be perfect. The 60D just came into play when I asked what body he has used a 10mm lens on before.