UKC

Hi All,

I have a Canon 600D with its kit lens (18-55mm). I am currently looking for a wide angle lens for climbing photography.

Can anyone recommend an entry level wide angle lens which will fit my camera and is not too expensive?

Thanks,
E

In reply to Eann:

cosina 11-16 f/2.8 is surprisingly good for the price, and comes in a canon version. It's not cheap cheap, but you probably won't get a better wide angle zoom for the price.

In reply to Eann:

What do you mean by not too expensive? Budget always useful to know!

In reply to davidbeynon:

Thanks for the recommendation. I'm struggling to find this lens online. Do you have a link to one?

In reply to Eann:

Perhaps he means the Tokina 11-16mm?

In reply to ChrisJD:

With regards to budget, I will be looking to buy the lens second hand, if I can get change from £300, that would be nice.

Thanks

In reply to Eann:

That's because I'm an idiot. It's a Tokina, not Cosina

Amazon have some for around 400, and there seem to be a few below 300 on ebay.

In reply to Eann:

Second hand:

http://www.wexphotographic.com/used-canon-fit-tamron/b3236-m245

http://www.wexphotographic.com/buy-used-canon-ef-s-10-22mm-f3-5-4-5-usm-len...

In reply to Eann:

I've the Canon 10-22 and it's a superb lens, albeit fairly pricey.

In reply to ChrisJD:

A vote for the actual Canon one - really good lens, basically an L Series but without the label as its for a crop sensor.

Never look back since I invested in mine! Although I have mostly used it to take photos of the sunset, it is also good for climbing. Only downside is that it lacks reach, but then its crazy wide so that's rather expected.

In reply to Eann:

I've used the Tamron 10-24mm for many years. It seems a very robust lens as I have dropped, bashed and got it we on many occasions and it's still going strong (appart from some superglue repair to the lens hood). The picture quality is not bad eithee.

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Tamron-10-24mm-3-5-4-5-Aspherical-Canon/dp/B001GVIN...

In reply to craig h:

Must be a crap lens, all your pictures are rubbish

In reply to ChrisJD:

I try my best to fix them in photoshop, but there's only so much you can do - you can't polish a turd, but I can stick glitter on it

In reply to Eann:

Tokina 11-16mm is excellent

In reply to Eann:

I did a bit of research recently and the one I'm going to go for is the Sigma 10-20. If you're going second hand, take a look here:

http://www.mpbphotographic.co.uk/

A couple of photographer friends highly recommend them and I'll be using them myself shortly.

In reply to Eann:

i will be picking up a Sigma 8-16mm tomorrow also for use on a 600D.

In reply to Eann:

Here's a few photos I've taken with my Tamron 10-24mm, not climbing shots as I tend to use another lens for them.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/21913923@N03/4365017991/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/21913923@N03/5323858073/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/21913923@N03/6306444683/

In reply to Eann:
I had the tamron but the results were poor, edge sharpness and vignetting v bad. Exchanged for canon 10-22. Much better

Now gone full frame (5d3) so my 17-40L does the job.

In reply to Eann:

I use a Canon 17-40 with my 5D3, lovely piece of kit.

In reply to stroppygob:

Ditto - nice use of ND grads

In reply to Skyfall:

Cheers butty!

In reply to craig h:



Great shots, thanks!

In reply to stroppygob:


I also have that combination and agree it's fine but that lens on a crop sensor is a bit restrictive on the wide end.

In fact before I bought it I had the 10-22. Since it didn't work on full frame, I traded it in after not having had it that long.

I've read a good review of the Samyang 14 2.8. Sounds like a great lens if you're willing to cope with manual aperture selection and focussing (actually not such a big deal with such a wide angle). Much more in the OP's budget too, without sacrificing image quality - esp at F8/11. I bet with 2.8 it takes good milky way pictures, too.

Hope this helps.

L

In reply to Eann:

I'd agree with the comment on the 10-22. Great lens . I've just changed to a 5d and sadly it's the wrong fit fir that so drop me a message if you're interested

In reply to craig h:

Really like that pier shot. The Tamron looks decent enough!

In reply to Eann:

I am a very satisfied user of the Sigma 10-20mm lens on my Nikon. Current Amazon prices from £310 for a Canon fit.

In reply to Eann:


One of my faves taken with Canon 5D3 & 17-40

https://lh4.googleusercontent.com/-yQspXSQNRbE/UtokF1tCRHI/AAAAAAAADFU/YxP0...

In reply to keith-ratcliffe:

For what it's worth, I have had 3 x 10-20mm Sigma Lenses in the past 4 years. 2 of which had issues with soft focus on the left hand side of the frame. This was highly frustrating, especially as it was a common problem. Some come out of the factory like it, some develop the soft focus after being in your camera bag. The lens also distorted the edges more so that other WA lenses. After owning 3 different copies of this lens I gave up with it and moved to the Tokina 11-16mm. This is a cracking lens, very sharp, very fast, good accurate focusing. Brilliant for landscape and night shots. The downside is the slightly lesser range but that can be made up by cropping slightly anyway for the long end.

Example of left hand softness on my 2nd copy of the lens...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-star/7782585822/in/photostream/
This is also after I tried to sharpen that side, the orignal is much worse.
I have loads more that I just didn't want to put on flickr they were that bad.


My lovely tokina...
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-star/9702765588/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-star/9628342922/in/photostream/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/b-star/9278255398/in/photostream/

Hi Ian, this one comes up a lot, I did a lot of research before making my choice.

Everybody seems to recommend the one they got, so basically they are all good, and its hard to make a bad choice.

However, a significant minority of people got poor copies of a Sigma 10-20. Usually soft to one side, especially at max aperture. Many have got good copies of it, on which case its a bargain. I didn't consider it as I could afford not to take the risk. Only buy from somewhere you can return it to. Note that there are TWO Sigma 10-20 versions. Probably avoid the older variable aperture one, the other is a constant zoom f3.5

So pick your most important feature.
Range - Canon (or Tamron)
Speed - Tokina 11-16
Wide - 8-16mm Sigma
Price - 10-20 Sigma

The general consensus is that the Tokina 11-16 is really good, sharp and the fastest in its class. This is probably the best choice for most.

Personally I went for the Sigma 8-16mm which is also sharp, wider, and well reviewed, although a lot slower, and you can't use filters.


This is the most comprehensive and in depth group review I've seen are here:
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Sigma-8-16mm-f-4.5-5.6-DC-HSM-Le...
http://www.the-digital-picture.com/Reviews/Tokina-11-16mm-f-2.8-AT-X-Pro-DX...

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-wide-a...

http://www.techradar.com/news/photography-video-capture/cameras/best-wide-a...

see this thread too
http://www.ukclimbing.com/forums/t.php?t=528156


You'll love the 600D, they are a real step up from the 450D generation.

In reply to Dan Arkle:


FWIW, I have one of the constant f3.5 lenses on my Nikon and had to return the first one as it was very, very soft. I'm not entirely happy with the replacement, but I manage to 'work around' its shortcomings.

I've said it before on here: if I were in the market again I'd go for the Tokina.

In reply to Dan Arkle:

Great advice, thanks for this!

In reply to Eann:

Big thanks to everyone who has contributed. As a result of this thread, I am now the proud owner of a Canon 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 (purchased second hand).

All of the advice has been much appreciated.

Thanks again,
Ian

In reply to IanF:

Don't forget to post pictures!