What is a recommended Wide angle zoom lens ?

[majere2sg]

What is a recommended Wide angle zoom lens besides Canon EF 17-40 F4 L lens ? How is the Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG ? Any other third party lens recommendations ? Thanks

[loupgarou]

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical


heh...

[Shadus]

tht's a monster!

[akdwivedi]

Well.. personally I do not recommend buying ultrawide zoom lenses.. by ultrawide I mean anything below 24mm... technically its very difficult to manufacture good quality zoom lenses..

What camera are you using.. Is it a film body or digital body.. If you are using a film body, try using Canon 24mm f/2.8 prime.. If you are looking for wider perspectives try EF 20mm f/2.8.. Sigma 14mm f/2.8 is also a good contender, specially if you are using DSL... Dont try the sigma zooms..

regards
Addy

[Garion]

Depending on your budget, there are quite a few out there (3rd party and Canon EF):

3rd party:

Tamron 19-35mm f3.5-4.5
Tokina 19-35mm f3.5-f4.5
Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG
Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical (forthcoming)

Canon EF:

Canon EF 16-35mm f2.8 L USM
Canon EF 20-35mm f3.5-4.5 USM

If you're on a budget, I'd probably go with the Tokina 19-35mm f3.5-4.5 (dubbed the "plastic fantastique" by some people). From what I heard the Sigma 15-30mm EX DG is not bad, except for the fact that it uses 82mm filter size (more expensive than the regular 77mm). If you are not restricted by budget, the Canon 17-40mm f4L is the best bet, unless you shoot a lot of indoors stuff and u need the extra stop of the 16-35mm, however its the priciest of the lot at abt $2.3k or $2.4k.

[majere2sg]

Originally Posted by Garion From what I heard the Sigma 15-30mm EX DG is not bad, except for the fact that it uses 82mm filter size (more expensive than the regular 77mm).

From the reviews at photographyreview.com, I see that is comment that stated that the sigma 15-30mm has permanent hood and cannot use any filters ? Any idea if that is true ?

[yahoosg]

May I know which is better in term of price and quality? Any advise?

Tamron 19-35mm f3.5-4.5
Tokina 19-35mm f3.5-f4.5
Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG

thx

[Garion]

Originally Posted by yahoosg May I know which is better in term of price and quality? Any advise? Tamron 19-35mm f3.5-4.5 Tokina 19-35mm f3.5-f4.5 Sigma 15-30mm f3.5-4.5 EX DG thx

Sigma 15-30mm is best in terms of image quality among the lot but its the most expensive among the three as well. Both the Tamron and Tokina are worth considering, good value for money and fairly good results considering their prices.

Originally Posted by majere2sg From the reviews at photographyreview.com, I see that is comment that stated that the sigma 15-30mm has permanent hood and cannot use any filters ? Any idea if that is true ?

Hmm...from what I am aware of, the diameter size is 82mm and that the front element of the lens protrudes out, however not sure if any filter can be mounted in front. Any owner of the Sigma 15-30mm care to clarify? Thanks in advance...

[AntZ]

Originally Posted by loupgarou Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical heh...

how did you know it's a good lens? got review already mah?

[gremlin]

The Sigma 15-30 comes with a filter adaptor that fits over the permanent hood. You can then mount 82mm filters on the adaptor itself. You will need to get super slim filters though, since normal ones will vignette at 15mm. I have a hoya super slim UV fitted on my sigma, and there is a very slight (not much a prob to me) vignetting at the 4 corners. It should disappear all together from 17mm onwards.

The contast and sharpness of the lens is good, but some have commented it being too warm. It boils down to personal preference. Then again, there's always PS

[NorthernLights]

http://clubsnap.org/forums/showthread.php?t=47566