Help with Nikon Wide Angle Lens Which One to buy

[Slipperyfox]

I am wanting to buy the wife a wide angle lens for her Nikon D5000 for Xmas.
Have been doing a bit of reading and all points to the Nikon AF-S DX Nikkor 10-24mm f3.5-4.5G ED lens. I am not right into, so don't really understand spec and jargon but she wants to get into photography a bit more seriously. I was looking at other lens as well and saw the Nikon Mount Sigma 8-16mm F4.5-5.6 DC HSM lens and reading on Ken Rockwell site he said this was alright as well.
What i was wondering what way should I go if anyone can help please.
Current lenses AF-s 35mm 1:1.8G, 18-55 1:3.5-5.6G, 55-200mm 1.4-5.6G ED, 70-300mm 1:4.5-5.6G ED and SB800

Thanks

[ricktas]

Buy the Sigma 10-20, it is a great lens at budget price!

[hakka]

I have the Nikkor 10-24 and the Tokina 11-16, I think the Nikkor is the best option. The only advantage to thr Tokina is the 2.8 aperture, it comes in handy for astrophotography. The Nikkor has better flare control, less CA, sharpness is about the same, and the wider zoom range is a big advantage. The Tok has no focus motot so it wont AF on your wife's D5000.

Everything I've read points to these 2 lenses as the best options.

The sigma 8-16 get good reviews but it does not accept filters, that was a dealbraker for me as I use ND grads on all my shots.

The 10-24 is the best choice but it comes at a premium price. The other options are by no means bad, just slightly behind the Nikkor.

[Wayne]

Just be aware that with a D5000, in order for a lens to auto focus it must have a focus motor built into the lens as the body doesn't have a screw motor. For Nikon lenses, the name of the lens will start with "AF-S" for Sigma I believe it is "HSM".

Remember also that the D5000 is a crop sensor or "DX" body, so whatever the focal length is, multiply that x1.5 for the 35mm equivalent, so things like the superb 17-55mm f/2.8 will be approx 25mm-82mm.
The ultra wides like the one Rick has suggested will give that wide perspective you are probably looking for.

[arthurking83]

Buy the Sigma 10-20, it is a great lens at budget price!

+1

can be had for much less, and she'll be as happy as ... ummm ... a wife showered with wonderful gifts at Christmas time

Sigma 8-16 is also an apparently great lens for the type of lens it is, but is a bit more limited in what it can ultimately do.

Get the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 (not the more expensive f/3.5 version) and a 77mm circular polariser to boot.

[peterb666]

I have the Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 and it is a stunning lens for an ultra-wide zoom.

I know quite a few people with the Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 and some with the f/3.5, again, both good choices but the larger filter size can be an issue in the f/3.5. The other lens is outstanding value for money.

The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 is also a great lens but the zoom range is a little limited. On the other hand, you will get the brightest viewfinder and that will help with AF and framing as light falls.

If you intend to do shots with sky in, you will probably want to invest in some graduated neutral density filters (GND) so it is essential to avoid any ultra wides that don't take filters on the front of the lens.

[cupic]

I love my Tokina 11-16 its built like a brick sh#thouse .I am guilty of just now using it enough

cheers

[arthurking83]

I love my Tokina 11-16 its built like a brick sh#thouse .I am guilty of just now using it enough

cheers

Yep! great lens for sure, and if I had a need for another UWA lens, I'd have one too.

But for a D5000, or any non screw driven AF camera body, this lens is not ideal.
Sometimes AF is the difference between getting a good shot compared to a great shot!

[Zonda]

I have the Tokina 12-24 f4 which is great value and I've found gives great results. It will focus with the d5000. Whilst it isn't as fast as the 11-16 I tend to use it during the day so ths speed isn't as much of an issue for me and the greater zoom range means I'm not constantly changing lenses.

[Slipperyfox]

Thanks heaps everyone. And have ordered a 11-16 pickup on Wednesday just in time for Xmas... Merry Christmas to everyone

[Lazyshooter]

Good luck with the Tokina 11-16mm. I was looking to buy that lens but the lack of autofocus on my D40 held me back. I ended up buying the sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 instead. I was doing some shooting last night with this lens. Some pixel peeping certainly reveals some softness around the edges/corners, even at f/10. Not enough to worry me too much though.

[joeyvaldezjr]

Good read as I was also on the serch for an UWA lens. Any inputs with regards to vignetting? I once had the 111-16mm Tokina lens. It was great and tack sharp, however, I found the range to be limiting. And using a CPL filter, it vignettes at 11mm to 13mm if I remember it correctly.

What about the Sigma 10-20 and Nikkor 10-24 with regards to vignetting?

[Banjo]

I'm new to photography and still trying to get my head around what will and what will not auto focus, there are lots of numbers on lens l don't understand I have a Nikon D5100 with a 18 105 lens. I would like to get more into landscape photos and hence my interest in wide angle lens. Sigma 10-20, Nikkor 10-24, Tokina 12-24 ???????????? I'm confused, what do you suggest would be best fit for my D5100?
Thanks for your patience

[Kym]

The Sigma 10-20 is as good if not better than any alternate and a great price as well

Check the CR Kennedy site for Grey price match options

[ricktas]

I'm new to photography and still trying to get my head around what will and what will not auto focus, there are lots of numbers on lens l don't understand I have a Nikon D5100 with a 18 105 lens. I would like to get more into landscape photos and hence my interest in wide angle lens. Sigma 10-20, Nikkor 10-24, Tokina 12-24 ???????????? I'm confused, what do you suggest would be best fit for my D5100?
Thanks for your patience

Nikon Lens nomenclature : http://www.ausphotography.net.au/for...on_Lens_Jargon

Note that if you buy a Sigma lens for Nikon, you will need to look at the Sigma nomenclature to determine the matching coding. Each manufacturer has their own nomenclature system. ie Nikon call their lenses with Image Stabilisation : VR : lenses, but a Sigma lens to fit Nikon will have : OS : to signify the same thing.

[Tommo1965]

hi Banjo

with Nikon lenses you need the letters to say "AFS"...not the older AF or AFD.....AFS lenses have a built in motor the others are what's called screw drive and are wound in and out to focus with the focus motor in some Nikon cameras.. something yours doesn't have

in other brands it will be called something else..Sigma call it "HSM"

[Banjo]

Thanks Rick, Kym & Steve

[Burnman]

I'll have to chip in here (albeit late) to say the Sigma 10-20mm lens is fantastic. I beat mine up daily (even riding with it on the MTB) its gets rained on, mud thrown at it, battered but years on still functions brilliantly, crisp photos with no vignetting to speak of. Love the wide end, and I don't find the F speed to be particularly limiting given its wide field of view (the wider they go - the more light they let in). A hearty thumbs up for the Sigma. (Mine is a 1:4.5-5.6 btw).

[Banjo]

Have just returned from Hong Kong where l hoped to buy a wide angle lens. Prices there were highter than l expected, just as cheap to buy online in Australia.
Played it safe and brought the Nikon 10 24 for $850. I checked it out it does have AFS Steve.
Thanks for your help.

[peterb666]

All Nikon G lenses are AFS - that of course includes the Nikkor 10-24mm zoom.

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