Could you live w/o the UWA?

From time to time, I have been thinking of adding an UWA in my gear list. But I just can't pull the trigger as I am not particular interested in UWA.
I do love pic produced from UWA, but it is just hard to master an UWA vs a long tele lens (too much stuff in the way).

However, thee are times I just wish an UWA is in my bag.


Any suggestions around?

I don't think I could live without a UWA lens, but you're right to say that it can be a difficult lens to use well.

Depends on what you shoot, your style and the "look" you want in your images. I am without a UWA at the moment and am felling ok. Some people just do not need one. I'll get one eventually. There are people on this forum who do not any lenses longer than 100mm - something I have trouble understanding. Why not rent one for a bit and see how you 2 get along?

mahoro,
Back in my film days (a while ago) the widest I went was 28mm and it was wide enough. Then when I switched to DSLR the 17-40L gave me the same (actually 1mm wider) as the 28mm in film days. But then I got my 5D and the 17mm had a FOV of 17mm and I wondered how I lived without it I then got my 40D & the 10-22 because luckily the 10-22 was as good as my 17-40L (good thing for the 40D)

So back to your question, Yes I could live without if I had to but I don't want to! You might have a similar experience. If you don't get one then how could you miss it, but if you do get one you might wonder how you did without it.

It's on of those lenses that once you get, you wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

I don't have a UWA now but I always thought it would be fun to dabble with one. Could I live without one? I think so for awhile. Constantly trying to improve as a photographer I think its great to explore and experiment. Its just not a priority for the shooting I like to do.

I have the 24-105L and if 24mm is considered UWA, then the answer would be no. I find shooting at 24 about as wide as I would ever need based on what I shoot and my skill level. The way I base my lens purchase decisions is how often I wish I had something else in my bag and what pictures I've lost due to lack of a range. I've rarely wished for a wider lens since going to FF. I have wished the 24mm was faster then 4.0.

Jerobean wrote in post #7733979
It's on of those lenses that once you get, you wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

Very true. I wish that I had my ultra wide angle while shooting some events. I always found a need to go wider as I would back myself up to the wall and could not back up anymore. Now with the ultra wide angle I never miss a shot. It is great when shooting a group of people or a full body shot with limited space.

no, I could not live w/o a UWA.

EcoRick wrote in post #7734011
I have the 24-105L and if 24mm is considered UWA, then the answer would be no. I find shooting at 24 about as wide as I would ever need based on what I shoot and my skill level. The way I base my lens purchase decisions is how often I wish I had something else in my bag and what pictures I've lost due to lack of a range. I've rarely wished for a wider lens since going to FF. I have wished the 24mm was faster then 4.0.

Right, the 24mm on FF is not 'UWA'...it is a pretty ordinary FL! Wider than that gets you into UWA land.

I bought and sold a 10-22 after a week. I just didn't like it for my purposes.
So yes, I can live without it.

Jerobean wrote in post #7733979
It's on of those lenses that once you get, you wonder why you didn't get one sooner.

Or if your like me, it's one of those lenses you get and wonder why the hell you bothered............ Not used my 10-20 more than half a dozen times in nearly 18 months

No, I can't do without UWA.

In my film days, I had a 24mm lens. I always wanted it to go wider.

I had the 10-22 with my 40D. I wanted it to go wider.

I use the Tokina 11-16 with my 1D. I love it.

Shooting UWA is a different technique. It isn't just another lens, it is a whole other way of seeing things, a new way to take the viewer someplace they've never been before.

Yes, I'm perfectly ok being without an UWA.

In my film days I had a Sigma 15-30 and when I went Digital i longed for that perspective again..


Thankfully Sigma makes a 10-20