Wide Angle lens.

[jcapphoto]

I'm looking for a wide angle lens, most likely a prime to use with my D80. The lenses I have looked into are the Nikon 24mm f/2.8, Nikon 28mm f/2.8 as well as the Sigma 28mm f/1.8. These would be used, indoors, with low light for concert photography so I would like a fast lens. Recomend what you think would work best. Has the best build quality, as well as the sharpest over all lens.


Or, if you have one of these lenses you want to get rid of, give me a price.


Thanks a bunch!

[Frog]

You do realize that what you are looking at are going to be 36mm for the 24 and 42mm for the 28s due to the 1.5x enlargment of the nikon sensor?

[deckcadet]

What sort of budget are you looking at and what lenses do you have right now?

[jcapphoto]

You do realize that what you are looking at are going to be 36mm for the 24 and 42mm for the 28s due to the 1.5x enlargment of the nikon sensor?

I know all about the crop factor.


Right now I have a 28-80 Tamron, and a 70-300 4-5.6, as well as a Nikon 50 1.8.

Lately, the 50 1.8 hasn't left the camera except when I shoot sports. I loveee the optical quality, and how fast it is. That's why I want another prime.

I was also looking at the Sigma 15mm 2.8 fish. It's a lot wider, but I've used it on my friends 5d and It was a pleasure to use, but that is full frame, so it would be a different field of view. I don't really want to spend more than 300.

I also saw the Nikon 17-35 3.5-4.5. I've heard bad things about it though. There are some used ones on KEH and BH that look tempting though.


I pretty much want the best optical quality fast wide angle I can get for 300 bucks or less.

[deckcadet]

The Nikon 18-35mm f/3.5-4.5D ED AF is a fantastic lens that provides excellent optics for a low price. It isn't the fastest, but at that price you won't get the jack-of-all-trades.

18mm is far wider than 28mm of course, on film or digital.

The 15mm fish you mention would lose much of its dramatic impact.

The reason you like your 50/1.8 so much compared to the 28-80 and 70-300 is not necessarily that it is a prime, but that it is simply far superior to either of those two lenses, which are really bottom of the barrel. Anything would be an improvement.

Now I've used the Sigma 28mm f/1.8. I had one for about two weeks, bought from KEH in EX grade, and it was either awful or very poorly aligned, because none of my cameras could get shots to come out in focus and sharp until f/4 at least.

I had the 24/2.8 for several months and enjoyed it quite a bit. Sharp little thing it was, and cheap too. Not much wider than the 28mm you're using now, but way faster and sharper at all apertures.

[another view]

Now I've used the Sigma 28mm f/1.8. I had one for about two weeks, bought from KEH in EX grade, and it was either awful or very poorly aligned, because none of my cameras could get shots to come out in focus and sharp until f/4 at least.

I haven't used one but was thinking that might be a decent solution. I never loved my Nikon 20-35 f2.8, but it might be just about in your price range and it's a constant f2.8. If you find yourself using the 50 f1.8 and needing something a bit wider you might even look at the Nikon 35 f2. I wouldn't consider it a wide angle - especially on a DSLR - but almost bought one when I was shooting concerts.

[deckcadet]

The Nikon 35/2.0 has a mixed reputation. Some love it, others don't. Personally, I'd suggest the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 EX DC HSM, which offers an extra stop, quality glass, and HSM, their version of AF-S.