Wide angled mine field. Help.

[Matthew Bromley]

I'm buying a wide angle lens for my Nikon D60 as I have the 18-55 kit lens, the 35mm f1.8 and the 55-200. After reading up on it and reading a fe posts in this forum I have realised there is a scary amount of choice.

I will be using it mainly for landscapes and would really need it to be on the cheaper side. There is a crazy selection however. Each manufacturer has several superwide lenses which makes it all pretty confusing.

I think the Nikon 10-24mm f3.5-4.5 G AF-S DX Lens or Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM Lens are the main options. Am I right. I can't find any direct comparisons on the web.

Cheers

Matt

[chris-p]

Do what everyone else does and wonder for a while. Then go and buy the Sigma!

[Matthew Bromley]

Thank you Chris. Job done.

Job done?? anyone else

[OldBoy]

I brought the Nikon 12-24mm F4 for my D200 and it's a cracking lens, but might be a bit too dear for you. Never used the Sigma 10-20mm but have seen many glowing reports by others who use it, so would be happy to suggest you go for that one.

[waveydavey]

The Sigma's on my list.

[ian83]

I am in a similar position with my D3000 from the advice i have been given on other sites for the money the Sigma 10-20mm is a very good lens to get.

Off topic slightly how do you find the 55-200 lens? Was thinking about getting the same for mine or maybe the newer 55-300.

[silversnapper1]

I've got the Sigma 10-20 and absolutely love it.

Steve.

[cherokee1111]

remember there are two sigma 10-20's the f3.5 fixed and the f4-f5.6 Dont think they compare well to the Nikon, even digital camera gave the nikon as best of group

[amk1977]

Originally Posted by ian83

I am in a similar position with my D3000 from the advice i have been given on other sites for the money the Sigma 10-20mm is a very good lens to get.

Off topic slightly how do you find the 55-200 lens? Was thinking about getting the same for mine or maybe the newer 55-300.

I have the 55-200mm VR and for the money, its pretty good bang for the buck. Jessops are charging £230 for this lens. I bought mine, brand new from buyacamera.co.uk for £135!! I knew Jessops were a bit steep from time to time but I was gobsmacked when I saw the price difference!

Optically its not bad. Not as sharp as the 18-105mm VR which is surprisingly good for a kit lens. At 200mm I find it a bit soft, even when stopped down to f/10. I If I paid £230 for the 55-200mm VR, I think I'd be a bit disappointed but for £135, I'm not complaining. Its very lightweight, which is always a bonus when you are humping gear around. I only got the 55-200 because I wanted a lens with more pull but was cash strapped (still am lol).

The 70-300 VR is much better optically. If you have the cash, go for the 70-300VR or be patient and save up for a 70-200 f/2.8 VR (or equivalent). My Dad has one with a 1.4x teleconverter fitted. Staggeringly fast focussing lens and the IQ is fantastic. They go for around £1k second hand. The VR2 is out now and by all accounts is even better than the standard VR. With a price tag of £1500, it should be lol. I know I want one for Christmas!!

As for wide angle lenses, its a pity that your D60 has no focus motor on the body as the Tokina AT-X Pro 116 f/2.8 is a real belter of a lens. I want one of those too lol. Santa...... SANTAAAAAAAAAAAAA

[cherokee1111]

Tokina 11-16 f2.8 is £419 delivered by fujisunrise at ebay with 2 yr warranty