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10-07-2008, 12:16 AM   #1
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Good Budget Wide Angle Zoom

So far, I've gotten great recommendations for budget lenses as this is still my first DSLR. I have a K100D Super with kit lens, 50mm f1.4 and Tamron 70-300 f4-5.6. Any recommendations in the $200-$250?

10-07-2008, 12:24 AM   #2
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I don't think you are going to find one at that price unless you find a used one.
Below 18mm, which your kit lens gives you, is getting real wide.

Are you sure you aren't talking about a telephoto zoom? That range can be had in your price range. The pentax DA 50-200 is very good value and it is the sister lens to the 18-55 kit lens.
10-07-2008, 03:10 PM   #3
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I'm pretty sure it doesn't get any wider than 18mm considering your price range, but if you can tolerate the edge distortions till you save enough money, an add on wide angle adaptor lens may hold you over. I had one till I got the Sigma 14, and while it's a horrible solution in terms of IQ, it may fit the bill until you can find something better. Most camera stores will have them, and if not, Ebay is a cheap alternative.

Here's a shot with the wide angle adaptor on the kit lens (a restaurant in Ocean Park amusement center in Hong Kong):
10-07-2008, 03:59 PM   #4
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I recommend highly on an inexpensive wide zoom Tokina AF 19-35 f/3.5-4.5 which you can get from $90 to $150. I use this lens as a great replacement for the kit's lens. Though it is not as long as 55, it serves me extremely well in landscape shots. It is a macho lens with 77mm filter size. I may need to sell this lens in the near future, if you or anyone has interest, please PM me for a quote.




Last edited by hinman; 10-07-2008 at 04:05 PM.
10-07-2008, 07:15 PM   #5
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I think you may find a used 16-45mm around $250. This is a little wider than the kit lens. I have the same lenses you listed, and am considering a 16-45mm to replace the kit lens.
10-07-2008, 08:43 PM   #6
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There's also a Sigma 17-70 in the classifieds right now. Respectable glass on the K100D.
10-07-2008, 11:33 PM   #7
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I'm second on hinman's post. I would bet for Tokina if you need its fullframe capabilities (if you shoot film). I'd been using Tokina 19-35 for several years and was quite happy with it. After that I traded it for 24mm fix-focal in hope of getting better bokeh (such a naive intention). Now I look back to my older photographs and realize how good the lens is. Compared to fullframe Tammy 17-35 tokina has just about the same sharpness but much nicer "rendering image" (IMO). Considering its price it is a real gem of a lens.


Last edited by Serge; 10-08-2008 at 12:15 AM.
10-08-2008, 01:49 AM   #8
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Thinking outside the box, there's always the Zenitar 16mm fisheye.
10-08-2008, 04:24 AM   #9
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Sigma 17-70 is a good choice. Discussed many times. It is reasonably good in terms of resolution, contrast and flare control.
10-08-2008, 05:45 PM   #10
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QuoteOriginally posted by roentarre Quote
Sigma 17-70 is a good choice. Discussed many times. It is reasonably good in terms of resolution, contrast and flare control.
Given the choices of two lens for 1) Sigma 17-70 or 2) Pentax 16-45, what would you choose especially for the wide angle landscape and that you intend to use the zoom as a replacement to kit's lens.

Thanks,
Hin
10-08-2008, 09:08 PM   #11
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realize, though, that that tokina is only as wide as the kit lens. 16 is a little wider, but I doubt you'll see a major difference until you hit the 14mm or below range, which also happens to be the $500 and up range
10-09-2008, 11:31 AM   #12
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I absolutely love my DA 16-45. Well built, no distortion, not expensive, and excellent image quality. You can see some photos of mine with that lens here (I haven't figured out how to embed the images yet, so in the meantime, I'll give you the links):

http://www.zooomr.com/photos/mikey104/5845656/
http://www.zooomr.com/photos/mikey104/5845636/
http://www.zooomr.com/photos/mikey104/5845642/
http://www.zooomr.com/photos/mikey104/5933218/
http://www.zooomr.com/photos/mikey104/5933274/

All of my photos on that site are completely un-edited and were taken either with the DA 16-45 or the Tamron telephoto that you have.
10-09-2008, 02:04 PM   #13
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Change of plans, I will now look at this as an investment

What super wide angle lens would you recommend, prime or zoom in the $500 range? New or Used. Can the DA14 f2.8 be had in this price range?

thanks to all who posted
10-09-2008, 02:32 PM   #14
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QuoteOriginally posted by FckShoes Quote
What super wide angle lens would you recommend, prime or zoom in the $500 range? New or Used. Can the DA14 f2.8 be had in this price range?
I'm looking forward to the upcoming DA 15 f/4 Limited, slated for 2009. My guess is that it will likely be at the high end of that price range, possibly exceeding it. I don't see either the DA14 or DA12-24 price coming down to $500 new. The Sigma 10-20 is a good choice at that price level. I personally own the DA 12-24 but by all accounts the Sigma 10-20 is quite competitive and usually costs a bit less.

The DA 16-45 f/4 is a pretty good upgrade from the kit lens if you don't mind the loss of 45-55 (not a kit lens strength anyway at f/5.6). Not only is the 2mm difference noticeable, image quality is better too.
10-09-2008, 03:25 PM   #15
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QuoteOriginally posted by AndrewG NY Quote
I'm looking forward to the upcoming DA 15 f/4 Limited, slated for 2009. My guess is that it will likely be at the high end of that price range, possibly exceeding it. I don't see either the DA14 or DA12-24 price coming down to $500 new. The Sigma 10-20 is a good choice at that price level. I personally own the DA 12-24 but by all accounts the Sigma 10-20 is quite competitive and usually costs a bit less.

The DA 16-45 f/4 is a pretty good upgrade from the kit lens if you don't mind the loss of 45-55 (not a kit lens strength anyway at f/5.6). Not only is the 2mm difference noticeable, image quality is better too.
Looks like the Sigma 10-20 and the DA14 are about the same price range. Thanks for the recommendation. I'll look into that, any photos with the sigma?
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