Wide Angle/ Landscape Lens

[Narginia]

Hello DPS!

I am ready to start researching another lens for my Nikon D40. I am looking for a good landscape wide angle lens and really have no idea where to start! If someone could point me in the direction of a thread that might already explain this or have some personal experience of their own. Thanks in advance for the help!

-Ash

[Aegea]

Well, I recently bought a Tokina 12-24 f4 which I am quite happy with. Solidly built and quite sharp. I think they make a motorized version that will autofocus on the D40.

[OsmosisStudios]

The Nikon 12-24 f/4 and 10-24 f/3.5-4.5 are both exceptional.

[kirbinster]

Check out the Sigma 10-20mm HSM, the original one not the newer more expensive one.

[Aegea]

There you go - three replies and four choices!

Seriously, I doubt you could go wrong with any of the suggestions.

[sk66]

The NIkon 12-24 is probably the best, and you pay for it. The Sigma 10-20 is the widest, and you'll actually loose some FOV with the crop sensor so it's relevant. I used the Sigma and liked it quite a lot.

I don't tend to use wide angles for scenic shots (I don't take many scenic shots...). For those types of images I tend to prefer stitched Panos. Might be something to try rather than buying a lens. (and no you don't have to buy an expensive Pano setup to get good results)

[dcclark]

Originally Posted by OsmosisStudios

The Nikon 12-24 f/4 and 10-24 f/3.5-4.5 are both exceptional.

Second this. I own the 10-24, and it is easily my favorite. If you really want an ultrawide, only the Nikon 10-24 and Sigma 10-20 go all the way to 10mm. They also autofocus on your D40, which is a bonus (but not strictly necessary -- the depths of field are enormous when working at those focal lengths).

All that said, have you played around with ultrawides yet? They are difficult to use well. It's really not about "getting it all in" -- if you try to do that, the result will be photos with tiny subjects in the distance. You need to be very close to your subject -- heck, half the time, I use my ultrawide so close to the subject that I'm nearly touching it. Ultrawides are much more about taking advantage of perspective, lines, and angles, than they are about fitting more in.

[Narginia]

Thank you guys for the input! I am not wanting the teeny tiny things in the background. Just a good strong sharp lens that is sturdy and crisp. I have not played with ultra wide lenses and havent even thought about trying a pano stitch. That'll be something else I look into also. I dont want tiny subjects just beautiful landscapes that aren't half a mountain You guys rock!

-Ash

[Wylde007]

i just bought the sigma 10-20mm off ebay last week think i paid £280, hardly been used and in fantastic condition!!

as dcclark has pointed out, jezzz your inches away from subjects my first time out with the lens can be seen in my flickr page (link below), 4 or 5 pics i used the sigma! i was literally jumping out the way of waves to get close enough, had great fun though!

other things about that lens is filters, think it's 77mm filters if you use the screw in type which can be expensive.