Going wider on a crop sensor (Nikon)
Discussion
Chaps,
I have a Nikon D80 with the (kit) 18-135 lens. It's old, with a crop sensor, and I am sure that you all have better kit. However I am painfully aware whenever I pick up my camera that the weakest part of the whole setup is me - my kit is better than my skills.
However I fairly often find myself at the wide end of the 18-135, and want it to go wider still. On that basis, what are my lens options for going wider bearing in mind the D80 is a crop-sensor body?
Oli.
I have a Nikon D80 with the (kit) 18-135 lens. It's old, with a crop sensor, and I am sure that you all have better kit. However I am painfully aware whenever I pick up my camera that the weakest part of the whole setup is me - my kit is better than my skills.
However I fairly often find myself at the wide end of the 18-135, and want it to go wider still. On that basis, what are my lens options for going wider bearing in mind the D80 is a crop-sensor body?
Oli.
I've had my trusty old D80 for going on 8 years now and I can recommend the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm
I've also got the Nikon 50mm F1.4 and that's an absolute cracker of a lens.
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tokina/11-16mm.htm
I've also got the Nikon 50mm F1.4 and that's an absolute cracker of a lens.
For me there are only three options (I did a lot of research into this exact subject last year).
The Nikon 10-24
The Nikon 12-24
The Tokina 11-16 (note there are two versions this, the later one is supposed to be better at controlling flare)
I ended up buying the 10-24 as I felt the zoom range of the Tokina too restrictive (the Nikon at 24mm is a very useful wide-normal).
The choice between the 12-24 vs 10-24 comes down to build quality vs wideness.
Outside of those three the Sigmas are ok, the Tamron is awful.
The Nikon 10-24
The Nikon 12-24
The Tokina 11-16 (note there are two versions this, the later one is supposed to be better at controlling flare)
I ended up buying the 10-24 as I felt the zoom range of the Tokina too restrictive (the Nikon at 24mm is a very useful wide-normal).
The choice between the 12-24 vs 10-24 comes down to build quality vs wideness.
Outside of those three the Sigmas are ok, the Tamron is awful.
Edited by The Jolly Todger on Tuesday 11th February 13:08
Mostly I shoot FX now but I still have a DX body with Sigma 10-20mm for times when I need ultra wide.
If I was buying again I'd take the Tokina 11-16mm because the IQ is at least as good as the Sigma, build quality is also at least as good and the Tokina's constant f/2.8 aperture is a big advantage over the f/4-5.6 Sigma. Neither the Sigma nor Nikons would get a look in. I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of range on the Tokina *if* you're likely to be carrying the 18-135 with you. If not, range is still not likely to be an issue as you started the topic to say you wanted to go wider than 18mm.
Note that the Sigma and Tokina are both DX only lenses so if you do upgrade body in the future you won't be taking your glass with you.
If I was buying again I'd take the Tokina 11-16mm because the IQ is at least as good as the Sigma, build quality is also at least as good and the Tokina's constant f/2.8 aperture is a big advantage over the f/4-5.6 Sigma. Neither the Sigma nor Nikons would get a look in. I wouldn't worry too much about the lack of range on the Tokina *if* you're likely to be carrying the 18-135 with you. If not, range is still not likely to be an issue as you started the topic to say you wanted to go wider than 18mm.
Note that the Sigma and Tokina are both DX only lenses so if you do upgrade body in the future you won't be taking your glass with you.
AndWhyNot said:
If I was buying again I'd take the Tokina 11-16mm because ... the Tokina's constant f/2.8 aperture is a big advantage over the f/4-5.6 Sigma
It's interesting you should say that. I don't think I've ever been lower than f8 with my wide lenses. What makes you say it's such a big advantage?
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