Posted by Daniel Moore on March 29, 2008 at 12:55 AM
I am expecting a bit of money back from the IRS this year and think I may be able to afford to buy another lens. I want a wide angle and also a telephoto, but I think that I will use the wide angle more at the moment. I have a Canon 40D and was looking at the Sigma 10-20mm but wanted to ask you guys about it first. My main concern is sharpness, as I can fix lens distortion and contrast in PS. All the reviews that I have read online sound good, but I was just wondering if the Canon 10-22mm is really worth the extra $200 (especially for a college student like myself). Thanks in advance of any help!
ABSOLUTELY ONLY THE CANON
I AM A NIKON USER BUT I USED CANON FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS D10/D20
Posted by Daniel Moore on March 29, 2008 at 10:34 AM
I just did some more searching and found the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 which also has good reviews. Any information on the Tokina would be helpful too. Thanks!
Posted by Mike Maples on March 29, 2008 at 12:06 PM
I used the Tokina 12-24mm on a Nikon body and it is a STELLAR performer. Super sharp and great color transmission. Unless he has changed lately, Bill Chambers (a member here) also uses the Tokina and his opinion of the lens led me to purchase one. His website is http://www.enchantedlightphotography.com and he was very helpful to me when I contacted him with questions. I have also tried the Sigma but found the Tokina to be more robust and seemed to have the better build quality. I can't comment about image quality with the Sigma since I didn't use it in the field. I don't miss the extra 2mm of wide angle when compared to the Sigma but that is a personal opinion and up to the individual to decide.
The only "funny" thing about the Tokina is the AF/MF selection. You slide the focus ring slightly forward and back to make the selection. It's very quick and very simple but different from most lenses and requires that you be aware of it.
Posted by Mel Ladewig on March 29, 2008 at 12:14 PM
I'd also rank the Tokina on par with the Canon for image quality, though I own the 10-22. I do own a different Tokina lens. The reason I chose the 10-22 is the weight. I hike quite alot and keeping the pack weight down is a good thing. The 10-22 is significantly lighter than the 12-24. At the time I bought the 10-22 there was a rebate or something that made the prices pretty close. I think it was a $120 difference rather than the normal $200 difference.
If you are looking for something besides Canon you have the TAMRON 11-17 Which I personally use AND FIND IT EXCELLENT.Very sharp @ easy to use
Posted by Dave Flaig on March 29, 2008 at 12:19 PM
Dan,
I shoot Nikon but almost all of my landscapes have been shot with the Sigma 10-20... I'm very pleased with this lens in all aspects. It's a very sharp and well built lens for the money.
I own a few Nikon lens as well, but love my Sigmas as much or more in some instances...
The Sigma 150 f2.8 Macro lens is my favorite lens in fact...
Milage may very, of course...
Dave Flaig
Green Bay Wisconsin
www.flaigphoto.com
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Dave
Posted by Mitch Erwin on March 29, 2008 at 12:21 PM
Daniel,
I used to Sigma 10-20 on a 20D for two years and had no complaints whatsoever. Only reason I sold it recently was due to going full frame. I would not hesitate on purchasing one, although there have been some reviews on bad units. So,.........................
Posted by Kent Staubus on March 29, 2008 at 8:29 PM
The Sigma 10-20mm is my most used lens in the daytime. It's a great performer.
As another user of the sigma 10-20...I'll attest it is really nice.
Posted by Carson Wilcox on March 31, 2008 at 7:49 AM
I've been using the sigma 10-20 with my 40D and prior to that on an XTi, I've had great results with it and find myself using it more and more. It did take awhile to get used to the wide angle but that would be true with any wide lens I suspect.
I chose the Sigma 10-20 lens over the more expensive Canon 10-22 lens for my 40D after seeing a comparison between the two here.
There simply wasn't enough quality difference between the two to justify the $200 price difference. Not to mention that the Sigma lens comes with a lens hood and a wonderfully rugged case. Why Canon chose not to include a lens hood considering the $200 price difference is beyond me.
There's also a comparison of the Tokina and Sigma wide angle lenses there. Note that there's really quite a difference between 10mm and 12mm on the wide end...enough so that I chose the Sigma's wider field of view.
It's been a superb lens...I highly recommend it!
Discussion
11 repliesI AM A NIKON USER BUT I USED CANON FOR ABOUT 3 YEARS D10/D20
The only "funny" thing about the Tokina is the AF/MF selection. You slide the focus ring slightly forward and back to make the selection. It's very quick and very simple but different from most lenses and requires that you be aware of it.
I shoot Nikon but almost all of my landscapes have been shot with the Sigma 10-20... I'm very pleased with this lens in all aspects. It's a very sharp and well built lens for the money.
I own a few Nikon lens as well, but love my Sigmas as much or more in some instances...
The Sigma 150 f2.8 Macro lens is my favorite lens in fact...
Milage may very, of course...
Dave Flaig
Green Bay Wisconsin
www.flaigphoto.com
"Though we travel the world over to find the beautiful, we must carry it with us or we find it not." - Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Dave
I used to Sigma 10-20 on a 20D for two years and had no complaints whatsoever. Only reason I sold it recently was due to going full frame. I would not hesitate on purchasing one, although there have been some reviews on bad units. So,.........................
Kent in SD
There simply wasn't enough quality difference between the two to justify the $200 price difference. Not to mention that the Sigma lens comes with a lens hood and a wonderfully rugged case. Why Canon chose not to include a lens hood considering the $200 price difference is beyond me.
There's also a comparison of the Tokina and Sigma wide angle lenses there. Note that there's really quite a difference between 10mm and 12mm on the wide end...enough so that I chose the Sigma's wider field of view.
It's been a superb lens...I highly recommend it!