Which zoom lens are good for wide angle?

fr3nzy · 12-20-2012, 03:56 PM

Hello,
Which lens from 16-45, tamron 17-50 f2,8, 18-135wr is the best for wide angle (18mm)?
Regards,
Peter

Sandy Hancock · 12-20-2012, 04:06 PM

The Tamron is a very highly regarded lens. I would be very surprised if the other two could match it.

Read this for more details.

treebeard · 12-20-2012, 04:54 PM

Originally posted by Sandy Hancock

The Tamron is a very highly regarded lens. I would be very surprised if the other two could match it.

Read this for more details.

I guess it all depends on your budget. I have had sharp copies of the older Tamron 17-50 and 28-75. I can't say anything about the newer version. If I had the money I might try the Pentax 16-50. I ALWAYS ask for a sample image shot wide open.

VoiceOfReason · 12-20-2012, 06:16 PM

My Tamron 17-50 is better under lower light, and is sharp all around, though I can't complain about my Pentax 18-135 either. If primarily indoors, I would get the Tamron, if out in the elements I'd go 18-135 for its range and weathersealing.

SpecialK · 12-20-2012, 06:58 PM

The 12-24. The others are barely wide.

DSims · 12-21-2012, 12:17 AM

None of the above.

Originally posted by SpecialK

The 12-24. The others are barely wide.

Correct answer.

Or Sigma 8-16, or DA10-17 Fisheye, or something similar, depending on your needs. For example, even the DA*16-50 is weaker between 16 and 20mm, although it's a good lens.

If you insist on using a more general purpose lens for wide-angle shots, I think the 16-45 is your best bet. I almost bought one a while back, because I've seen some nice results from it. But you really should get one of the aforementioned lenses, or a DA15 or Samyang 13/14 f/2.8.

treebeard · 12-21-2012, 06:37 AM

Sigma 10-20 3.5 HSM. The copy I sold here was excellent.

creampuff · 12-21-2012, 06:56 AM

DA 12-24mm f/4. Just superb performance and good aberration control.
The Sigma 10-20mm is wider but the distortion is pretty bad imo.

rockmaster1964 · 12-21-2012, 06:57 AM

My 16-45mm is very sharp. It is a great lens.

daacon · 12-21-2012, 07:01 AM

I am in the DA 12-24 and DA 10-17 camp as well. Given your choices I would opt for the Tamron though.

treebeard · 12-21-2012, 07:21 AM

Originally posted by creampuff

DA 12-24mm f/4. Just superb performance and good aberration control.
The Sigma 10-20mm is wider but the distortion is pretty bad imo.

You must have had a bad copy because I did not find it to be that pronounced. The only time it was very apparent is when I took a wide shot and there was something moving in or out of the frame. What distortion I did find was very easily corrected in LR4. However, I would love to try the DA 12-24 out!

creampuff · 12-21-2012, 07:41 AM

Originally posted by treebeard

You must have had a bad copy because I did not find it to be that pronounced...

Ha, ha, I've actually tried a couple of copies of the Sigma...

VoiceOfReason · 12-21-2012, 08:17 AM

If UWA I would go with the Tamron 10-24 f/3.5-4.5. Actually, I did go with one!

treebeard · 12-21-2012, 08:26 AM

How do you like it at the wide end and wide open?

VoiceOfReason · 12-21-2012, 09:47 AM

It's a little soft, but still workable. You do have the wide angle distortion, but that's to be expected. Once you stop down you get some really nice stuff on the wide end.

12-20-2012, 03:56 PM	#1
fr3nzy New Member Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 5	Which zoom lens are good for wide angle? Hello, Which lens from 16-45, tamron 17-50 f2,8, 18-135wr is the best for wide angle (18mm)? Regards, Peter

12-21-2012, 12:17 AM	#6
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	None of the above. Originally posted by SpecialK The 12-24. The others are barely wide. Correct answer. Or Sigma 8-16, or DA10-17 Fisheye, or something similar, depending on your needs. For example, even the DA16-50 is weaker between 16 and 20mm, although it's a good lens. If you insist on using a more general purpose lens for wide-angle shots, I think the 16-45 is your best bet. I almost bought one a while back, because I've seen some nice results from it. But you really should get one of the aforementioned lenses, or a DA15 or Samyang 13/14 f/2.8. Last edited by DSims; 12-21-2012 at 12:25 AM.*

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12-20-2012, 04:06 PM	#2
Sandy Hancock Moderator Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Adelaide Hills, South Australia Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 11,275	The Tamron is a very highly regarded lens. I would be very surprised if the other two could match it. Read this for more details.

12-20-2012, 04:54 PM	#3
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Originally posted by Sandy Hancock The Tamron is a very highly regarded lens. I would be very surprised if the other two could match it. Read this for more details. I guess it all depends on your budget. I have had sharp copies of the older Tamron 17-50 and 28-75. I can't say anything about the newer version. If I had the money I might try the Pentax 16-50. I ALWAYS ask for a sample image shot wide open.

12-20-2012, 06:16 PM	#4
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	My Tamron 17-50 is better under lower light, and is sharp all around, though I can't complain about my Pentax 18-135 either. If primarily indoors, I would get the Tamron, if out in the elements I'd go 18-135 for its range and weathersealing.

12-20-2012, 06:58 PM	#5
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	The 12-24. The others are barely wide.

12-21-2012, 06:37 AM	#7
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Sigma 10-20 3.5 HSM. The copy I sold here was excellent.

12-21-2012, 06:56 AM	#8
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	DA 12-24mm f/4. Just superb performance and good aberration control. The Sigma 10-20mm is wider but the distortion is pretty bad imo.

12-21-2012, 06:57 AM	#9
rockmaster1964 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Frisco Texas Photos: Gallery Posts: 382	My 16-45mm is very sharp. It is a great lens.

12-21-2012, 07:01 AM	#10
daacon Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Alberta,Canada Photos: Gallery Posts: 20,914	I am in the DA 12-24 and DA 10-17 camp as well. Given your choices I would opt for the Tamron though.

12-21-2012, 07:21 AM	#11
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	Originally posted by creampuff DA 12-24mm f/4. Just superb performance and good aberration control. The Sigma 10-20mm is wider but the distortion is pretty bad imo. You must have had a bad copy because I did not find it to be that pronounced. The only time it was very apparent is when I took a wide shot and there was something moving in or out of the frame. What distortion I did find was very easily corrected in LR4. However, I would love to try the DA 12-24 out!

12-21-2012, 07:41 AM	#12
creampuff Veteran Member Join Date: May 2007 Location: Singapore Photos: Gallery Posts: 3,953	Originally posted by treebeard You must have had a bad copy because I did not find it to be that pronounced... Ha, ha, I've actually tried a couple of copies of the Sigma...

12-21-2012, 08:17 AM	#13
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	If UWA I would go with the Tamron 10-24 f/3.5-4.5. Actually, I did go with one!

12-21-2012, 08:26 AM	#14
treebeard Veteran Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Windham, NH Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 793	How do you like it at the wide end and wide open?

12-21-2012, 09:47 AM	#15
VoiceOfReason Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Mishawaka IN area Photos: Albums Posts: 6,124	It's a little soft, but still workable. You do have the wide angle distortion, but that's to be expected. Once you stop down you get some really nice stuff on the wide end.