Wide Angle + Walkaroundish Lens

Hi guys, I've got some spare cash and will get one of these three options. Please help to point me in the right direction...

I want to use it/them for mostly nature and architecture type subjects, as well as airplanes (on the ground) and cars.

1.) Canon EF-S 15-85mm + Sell 18-55 IS- I'm not sure if 15mm is wide enough for what I want to shoot. 18mm was nowhere near wide enough for many airplane shots, and isn't wide enough for good landscapes.

2.) Sigma 8-16mm + Keep 18-55mm IS- I'm liking the idea of this combo, but the 8-16mm isn't really a good walkaround solution. I'm not too fond of the kit lens either.

3.) Tokina 12-24mm f/4 II + Nifty Fifty + Sell 18-55 IS- This is the most complicated of the options but it would give me a more viable walkaround/wide angle lens as well as a cheap prime to cover the 50mm range, which I don't use much anyways.


Thanks for any suggestions/votes you guys have!

i chose the last option because you'll most likely need the UWA for the architecture and airplanes and also you don't have a really low light mid range lens. i was close to saying the 15-85 but thought you might need the extra 3mm for the airplanes especially. i'm sure you cant go wrong with either option.

As usual, it totally depends on your application. You mentioned you like to take pictures of airplanes and need a wide lens - obviously the 8-16mm is the best here. However, what do you shoot other than planes? I doubt you'll enjoy the 8-16mm or 12-24mm as walk-around lenses, so if you want something to walk around with, you'll need another lens. The nifty fifty is a great value, but can feel restrictive on a crop body (depending on what you're shooting).

If it were me, I would go for the 15-85mm lens (in fact, that's exactly what I did - it's on sale too!), but it sounds like you would probably need to go a bit wider. Thus, I voted for 8-16mm + keeping the 18-55mm kit. Besides, you can always throw in the 50mm later - it's only $100

The thing is I rarely shoot in the mid ranges. Thats why the 12-24 would make a nice walkaround-type lens for me.

I'm leaning towards the Tokina now I think. By chance, it is a little less money too. I'm still open to any of the options though.

15-85mm for me..

..i would've picked 8-16 plus 15-85 though