D60 Wide Angle Suggestions

Anyone have suggestions on wide angle lenses for the D60? I already own a good assortment of normal and telephoto lenses including 28-70 2.8 L, 70-200 2.8 L, 100-400 4.5 IS L, and a 50 1.4 prime. I don’t use wide angle much, but when I do the 28-70 with 1.6X just doesn’t get there! The new Canon 16-35 2.8 L is getting great reviews, but a little expensive for someone who would not use it regularly. I’m also looking at the Sigma 15-30. Anyone have experience with this new lens? Other suggestions?
Dan
http://www.dpcg.com/ph​oto

I hear what you are saying. I recently acquired the 20-35mm wide zoom for my D60, but I hadn't tested it much. I took it out for a shoot several days ago, and out of maybe 100 frames, I used the wide zoom for only three.

The L lens is pricey. I agree.

---Bob Gross---

The Canon EF20/2.8 is worth a look. Not a zoom, but good quality lens.

Regards,

I´m facing the same problem. Funny thing is (actually not sooo funny), that I just bought a D60 BECAUSE I needed to make some wide angle shots digital... I have an old film EOS and a 19-30mm lens. I didn´t know about the 1.6x "zoom" ratio and now my low 19mm is almost a 30mm. To get back to the effect of a 19mm I´d need to get me a 12mm lens.. though to find for less than the price of the camera. I´m stumped and not too happy right now.

How about taking four shots and stitching them. A bit of a PITA, I know, but undoubtedly cheaper than a 12mm lens.

KRs
Chris

There is an interesting article at www.fredmiranda.com about using the 15mm fisheye and post processing to obtain a non-fisheye wide angle shot. The 15mm fisheye is relatively inexpensive compared to the 16 to 35mm zoom and the software to do the conversion is freeware. BTW, the 16-35 is an outstanding choice for the D60 if you can justify the $$. I find I have it on the camera almost as much as my 28-135 IS lens.

Dan

I just bought a D30 and used it for the first time yesterday. The Canon 20-35mm becomes an excellent zoom for moderate wide to normal. But if you need WIDE go for a 14mm (about 21mm in D30), I am saving to buy one.

I have a Sigma 15mm fish-eye that gets about as wide as a guy would want. The fish-eye effect can easily be taken out, and the size of the photo will not change if your shooting in Large. I feel there is no need in me buying any other lens for wide angle work. It also lets in a lot of light which makes it nice too.

I received a Sigma 15-30 several weeks ago and must say that I am well pleased. I did extensive research before buying the Sigma. It was a decision between the Canon 16-35L and the Sigma 15-30. The reviews I read generally rated the Sigma images to be at least as sharp, and sometimes sharper than the Canon. The extra 1mm is actually alot more noticeable than you would think. I paid just under $500.00 including shipping and the Canon is at least $1300.00... those are the pros....now for the cons...The colours are said to be slightly better, you get the speed of 2.8 across the entire focal range, the focusing is quieter and faster, the build is said to be more rugged, and you have the extra 5mm on the long end with the Canon. My particular needs, shooting style and budget added up to a pretty clear choice in favor of the Sigma. I do a great deal of prep sports and the Sigma was purchased for some specialty sports shots such as baseball teams in the dugout and some other odd and creative stuff, to include interiors and groups of people in limited spaces.
This is my 2 cents worth and I hope it helps. I almost failed to add that my main camera is a D60.

Thanks for all your feedback!
Dan

I picked up a used Sigma 14 3.5 for 400 bucks from my dealer. It was a rental that hardly went out. He was asking 450 plus tax, I asked and got it for 400 out the door.

E

Thanks to all that replied.
Yes, stiching is a posibility but it's not sooo easy when doing indoor pictures...
I've been thinking that a fisheye (cheaper) could be de-distortioned with software... Question is: Can you point me to a site where I cn download a quality program?
Thanks! ... J-D.

Stitching indoor images is quite straightforward, provided you use a tripod and mount the camera such that it rotates about a nodal point of the lens. Panorama Tools will meet your requirements for a quality stitching program and for remapping fisheye images. It will also do multi-row stitching. Takes time to learn how to use it, however. It's a lot friendlier if a front-end user interface program is used, such as PTAssembler, PTGui or PTMac. Pano Tools and PTAssembler are both freeware, but my own preference is for Pano Tools + PTGui.

The main Panorama Tools web site is currently offline, but there's a mirror at http://www.path.unimel​b.edu.au/~dersch/ and a stitching tutorial at http://homepage.dtn.nt​l.com/j.houghton/pttut​e.htm .

John

I agree with Guille. I have the EF20-35 and its an excellent reasonably priced wide angle. I did try the Tokina 16-35 but would not focus on my D60.

Cheers
Sheila

I guess if that dilemma was mine, I'd either go for the 16-35 2.8L zoom or a 20mm 2.8 Prime, whichever meets your WA needs or budget. I have the zoom and it is wonderful (and expensive) but if you are looking for a long term purchase it is indeed the best way to go...