New lens for a newbie member

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NikonSimon

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Simon
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Hi guys,

I'm a newbie to this site, so be gentle. :wave:

I currently use a Nikon D40x (although am looking to upgrade possibly by the end of the year), with a Hahnel grip (I got fed up with the smaller size, after it being an initial plus point), 18-70mm Nikon lens (the one that would come bundled with the D80- my friend gave it to me), Sigma 70-300 mm APO DG f4-5.6 macro, and a Nissin Di622 flash.

It's my birthday soon, and am asking for money to put towards a wideangle zoom lens. My budget will probably be about £500 after I put the money I've saved up in as well. I've read good things about the Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 lens, and also the newer f3.5 version. Would either of these be a good option to go for, or would any of you be so kind as to suggest other alternatives for that kind of price range?

I'd also like it to be good enough to use when I eventually upgrade to either D90 or D200/300 (depending on whether I can justify going into the 4 figure price bracket) sort of range

Any help would be greatly received

Cheers
Simon
 
I've just got a Sigma 10-20mm for my D90 and it's superb. Went for the f4-5.6 in the end as after much thought the extra price for the 3.5 didn't really justify it for me. It's all down to what you are planning on shooting with it, for me it's a landscape lens for a current trip planned so the speed of the lens is a little irrelevant. There's also the larger filter size for the f3.5 which is worth thinking about, the 4-5.6 has a 77mm front filter size so can mix and match to other (future) lenses

I bought mine from onestop-digital - worked out really good at a good price, although I was a bit skeptical about ordering from Hong Kong there's a thread on here that convinced me to go for it and the price difference made it worthwhile!
 
your options

sigma 10-20
sigma 12-24
tokina 12-24
tokina 11-18? not sure about this one 16-18?

They are the super wide options

Also nikon make a 12-24 f4 you can get used inside your budget
 
sbrown said:
I've just got a Sigma 10-20mm for my D90 and it's superb. Went for the f4-5.6 in the end as after much thought the extra price for the 3.5 didn't really justify it for me. It's all down to what you are planning on shooting with it, for me it's a landscape lens for a current trip planned so the speed of the lens is a little irrelevant. There's also the larger filter size for the f3.5 which is worth thinking about, the 4-5.6 has a 77mm front filter size so can mix and match to other (future) lenses

I bought mine from onestop-digital - worked out really good at a good price, although I was a bit skeptical about ordering from Hong Kong there's a thread on here that convinced me to go for it and the price difference made it worthwhile!
Click to expand...

Thanks for your reply.

I was thinking about the 3.5 the other day, and wondering how much I'll use that speed. I'm the same as you- wanting it for landscapes (am going to the Norwegian Fjords in June), so was thinking that it wouldn't really get used much below f8 really.

Maybe I'll go for the one you've got. Well within my price range.

p.s. what's the D90 like? It's a potential upgrade for me sometime this year. That or justifying the extra outlay for a D300
 
Marac said:
your options

sigma 10-20
sigma 12-24
tokina 12-24
tokina 11-18? not sure about this one 16-18?

They are the super wide options

Also nikon make a 12-24 f4 you can get used inside your budget
Click to expand...

Thanks. Do you know anything about any of these lenses?

I'm liking the sound of the 10-20 purely for the wider angle it offers
 
My wife uses the 10-20, excellent lens
I used to have a 12-24 on my full frame canon, fantastic for weird shots
as said, the tokina 12-24 is brilliant, i used to use one on my D2H
Nikon 12-24 perfect bit of kit, the tokina is very very nice but the nikon is sharper and handle CA better

I have no experience with the other 11-18 or any of the newer ones.

With your budget at £500 I think you can afford to go to a local store and try them out to see what one you like


Happy shopping
 
12mm on a full frame? :gag: wow...
 
I think he was just thinking out aloud.
The Sigma 12-24 is the widest lens for a FF and at 12mm it is pretty mind bending.

Tokina 12-24 f4.0 on your body will be a great choice, it's build quality is excellent.
 
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