Lens decision

[Thoma]

Hey all,

Looking for someone to help me out.

I'm trying to make a choice from two lenses:- Canon 10-22mm f3.5 Ultra wide or Canon 17-40mm f4 L Ultra wide, mostly for Landscape pics, with the occasional Portrait.

I shoot with a Canon 500D, which has the APS-C sensor......which makes me lean towards the 10-22mm, but the 'L' stamp is very attractive on the 17-40mm.

Price difference is very minimal, so i'm struggling to choose. Reviews & specs state that the 10-22mm has a slightly wider angle of view, but the 17-40mm will be superior for image quality....& features some water & dust protection.

The 17-40mm has the bigger zoom, but will be the equivilent to roughly 27mm base zoom, the 10-22mm being 16mm.

I have also looked at the equivilent lenses in Tamron, Sigma & Tokina. All the reviews seem to state that these are hit & miss....some like them, some hate them. I'm yet to read a bad review on either the 10-22 or 17-40....

So.....hoping that someone can offer some advice on which way i should swing. Any advice on these two lenses would be greatly appreciated.

Regards,

Thoma.

[jjphoto]

I have both and I don't use the 10-22 any more, only the 17-40. I would never buy an EF-s lens if I could avoid it. You will always be limited to using it on crop cameras.

JJ

[peterb666]

If you want wide, then the 17-40 gives no advantage over the kit lens that comes with the Canon 500D (other than maybe marginally better IQ).

There is nothing wrong with the Canon 10-22mm zoom but the two Sigma 10-20mm zooms are probably better although there is not much in it. There is also a great little Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 zoom which is a little cracker provided you can live with the restricted zoom range.

Ultrawide and portrait deseve two different lenses and you won't get a true ultrawide that will give you a good portrait lens.

[Brian500au]

From my point of view (and this will depend on where you plan to use this lens) I always struggle with a variable aperture lens. I mostly shoot in AV mode and I use UWA lens for indoor group shots. I hate it when I set up a shot and change the zoom and the aperture changes (therefore changing shutter speeds). Outdoor this is not a problem but it should weigh into your decision.

As for comparing sharpness, quality, etc - as you stated, everyone has a different opinion which is mostly swayed on what lens they own at the time of the given opinion. I personally do not buy EFS lens as I find they do restrict my decision in the next buy or upgrade. With bodies now become consumables (with about the same life as a mobile phone) and with the advance in technology then FF is not out of anybodies reach in the future.

[Cyza]

if you don't mind getting a lens that is restricted to a crop sensore body only, I would look into the sigma 8-16mm, it is the widest lens available for a an APS-C body, it is cheaper than the canon 10-22.

[Bennymiata]

Personally, I would lean more towards the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 myself.

A cracker of a UWA with little distortion and great colours and contrast, and with the F2.8 opening, great to use indoors without a flash.

The view through the viewfinder is nice and bright too and when you're indoors, it can make a big difference.

I also considered getting the Canon 10-22, and the 2 Sigma's, but after putting them on my 60D, the Tokina won out.

Here's a shot I did recently, indoors without flash, using the Tokina.

Xmas2011-1933.jpg

[Mark L]

.......
Here's a shot I did recently, indoors without flash, ......

Are you sure you didn't use flash for this photo?

[Bennymiata]

Actually, looking back at the specs, I did use a flash for this photo which was bounced off the ceiling.
Sorry about that, my bad.

Took so many photos that day...........................

[Mark L]

I've been wanting a UWA, after what you've said Benny, the Tokina comes into calculations. At least I can see it works well with flash.
Another informative thread.

[Thoma]

Hi all,

Just for an update....i purchased the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8. Very Happy with it so far. It's everything that the reviews say it is. Stay tuned for so images...!!

Regards,

Thoma