I have been really missing not having a wide angle lens, I love my canon 24-105 but on my 7d it just isn't quite right for lanscape shots and I would really like something wider.
I just am having a really hard time deciding, hopefully you guys can offer some insight to my choices or give me some new options I hadn't thought of:
Keep in mind that this lens is purely for recreational use, I don't need it for business and I doubt I will be using it much for stock photography. Basically just a toy. I would like to spend the least amount possible with still getting a decent lens.
i cant comment on the new canon 10-18, but the price is outstanding.
as far as the other three, I've owned all of them at some point.
the tamron 10-24 was not a very good lens. it was very, very soft wide open with aberrations on the edges. i would consider the sigma 10-20 over this for about the same price.
the canon 17-40 wont be wide enough on a crop for you. you may as well shoot with the the 18-135 or 18-55 kit lens especially if you stop down. the only draw for you would be weather sealing.
the canon 10-22 was stellar and i mean stellar, well worth the price if you plan to use it. outstanding color sharpness and excellent flare control. ask Bear, he'll tell you its an L lens in a EF-S body and i'd be inclined to agree.
there is also the tokina uwa, but its prone to flare from what i hear.
Keep in mind that this lens is purely for recreational use, I don't need it for business and I doubt I will be using it much for stock photography. Basically just a toy. I would like to spend the least amount possible ...
Get the free demo version of AutoStitch or use the Canon PhotoStitch software which should have come with your camera and learn to take a handheld series to stitch into a panorama. Both programs allow you to take more than one horizontal series if you need more height in your composition, and AutoStitch does an good job of straightening slightly tilted pics. With a little practice you should be able to get nearly as good a series as with a pan-head tripod.
I love the drama you can capture with a super-wide lens. I have the Tamron and I like it a lot. The focus can be a little soft when shooting wide open, but I have not tried the Canon lens you mention so I can't comment on how it compares to others.
ETA: Mike mentioned the Sigma as an alternative -- it's another lens I have not tried. However, I have been very impressed with my Sigma 50mm and, if I were doing it over again, I would seriously consider the Sigma over the Tamron.
The only lens of the ones you mentioned that I've used is the Canon 10-22 and I can't speak highly enough of it, image quality is fantastic. It's also fairly light so I had no problem having it in my bag on long hikes. I looked on the Canon refurb site and they're in stock, for $519. Unfortunately I rarely use mine now since going to the full frame 6D.
I also have the Tokina Mike mentioned, the 11-16 2.8, I can also speak highly for this lens. It's built like a tank and I can use it on the long end (somewhere between 15 and 16mm) on my 6D. Shooting at 2.8 definitely comes in handy when want to shoot wide, indoors. The downside between this and the 10-22 was the focal range was so small, it almost felt like a prime. Also it doesn't sound like much but you can tell the difference between shooting at 10mm vs 11mm.
I have the Tamron 10-24 for a few years now. I can't compare it to the Canon which I have never used, but I am very happy with the Tammy. It is my sharpest lens and my most expensive one. (Shooting with cheap glass does not seem to be hurting my performance on this site at all.)
On APS-C you certainly cannot go wrong with the Canon 10-22. I think there will be other Canon-branded options in the near future, based on the rumors I have seen published, but they may be very expensive alternatives.
In the event that you'd ever want to jump to FF, re-selling a 10-22 is never going to be hard, and you won't lose a ton of money.
Keep in mind that this lens is purely for recreational use, I don't need it for business and I doubt I will be using it much for stock photography. Basically just a toy. I would like to spend the least amount possible ...
Get the free demo version of AutoStitch or use the Canon PhotoStitch software which should have come with your camera and learn to take a handheld series to stitch into a panorama. Both programs allow you to take more than one horizontal series if you need more height in your composition, and AutoStitch does an good job of straightening slightly tilted pics. With a little practice you should be able to get nearly as good a series as with a pan-head tripod.
and if she wants to use these stitched images in a challenge? oh right..
and if she wants to use these stitched images in a challenge? oh right..
My recommendation was based on this part of her statement -- there's no mention of DPC ...
Originally posted by sjhuls:
Keep in mind that this lens is purely for recreational use, I don't need it for business and I doubt I will be using it much for stock photography. Basically just a toy. I would like to spend the least amount possible ...
That said, revision of the Advanced rules regarding stitched commposites is one I am in favor of, and is likely to at least be considered soon ...
My husband/Santa Claus was awesome this year an got me the Canon EF-S 10-22mm I have been just dying to test it out but the weather is just not cooperating :( Just really gloomy with low lying clouds that cover up all the mountains. I finally had to get out and test it anyway. So all you get is a boring shot out my back door.
Santa also got me a new manfroto tripod and ball head. So I am all set....if the weather would just cooperate. I have this whole break to take photos and nothing.....Once the kids get back in school I am usually out running them around to various activities when the landscapes are at their best :(
I guess I'm too late to put my 2 cents in, obviously you'll have a lot of fun with that lens. If anyone else reads this thread with the thought of getting a WA lens I would put in my vote for the Canon 17-40L. IMO it's one of the best lenses for the money, I believe it's the cheapest red ring and the quality is just great. Although I think I've used it more as a portrait lens than I have landscape
Thanks all! It is about time. I just hope I have time to use it. Kids really have made it so I just don't have time to spend on landscapes like I used to when they were smaller and didn't have so many activities.
Originally posted by smardaz:
I guess I'm too late to put my 2 cents in, obviously you'll have a lot of fun with that lens. If anyone else reads this thread with the thought of getting a WA lens I would put in my vote for the Canon 17-40L. IMO it's one of the best lenses for the money, I believe it's the cheapest red ring and the quality is just great. Although I think I've used it more as a portrait lens than I have landscape
I looked at that one too and was temped, but it overlapped my canon 24-105 and wasn't wide enough for what I wanted.
Sounds like a great lens! Look forward to seeing your images.
To add to the UWA opinion pot... I absolutely love my Tokina 16-28 f/2.8 FX Pro, and I would recommend it to anyone. It's in the same league as my 70-200mm f/2.8 professional Nikkor lens in terms of build and image quality / sharpness.
