Superwide zooms - any recommendations/feedback?

[herion]

Hi All,

I'm in the process of looking for a superwide zoom - I have a 300D and a D30.

The ones I've researched are:

Canon 10-22 3.5/4.5 EF-S
Tamron 11-18
Tokina 12-24
Sigma 10-20

Now while the Canon is a nice lens (tried it out at B&H), I'm not ecstatic over it due to the price, lack of lens hood and the fact I can't use it on my D30.

The Tokina has the oddball AF/MF clutch mechanism which I've seen mixed review of.

The Tamron seems to be halfway decent.

The Sigma is due to be released mid-June. I've had very good results with Sigmas before (8mm fisheye, 15mm diagonal fisheye).

Has anyone used any of these lenses, and can do you have any "gotchas" for them?

Thanks in advance.

[luckyrwe]

Sigma has a 12-4 full frame lens. Many manufacturers are benefitting from the smaller image sensor and it is easier to make some lenses. My camera is 1.3x and therefore I have to read the fine print. If you get EF-S lenses or other lenses meant for 1.5x or smaller, then know that if/when you upgrade your camera body the lenses will be useless.

[herion]

Sigma has a 12-4 full frame lens. Many manufacturers are benefitting from the smaller image sensor and it is easier to make some lenses. My camera is 1.3x and therefore I have to read the fine print. If you get EF-S lenses or other lenses meant for 1.5x or smaller, then know that if/when you upgrade your camera body the lenses will be useless.
I was one of the lucky ones to get a Sigma 10-20 when it came out - it looks like it's sold out already. I'm really happy with the purchase.

[wxwax]

Nothing that wide's gonna have a lens hood worth a damn. They can't, it would get in the shot. I'd go for the Canon.

[Matthew Saville]

Nothing that wide's gonna have a lens hood worth a damn. They can't, it would get in the shot. I'd go for the Canon. If you're shooting landscape etc. or anything that you'll be using a tripod for, then I simply set my camera to 5 second timer instead of 2 second timer, and I take a few step around towards the front of the camera and hold my hand in the air right so that the lens is shaded, completely. If you're careful enough, and obviously if the sun isn't in the frame or at the edge, you'll get results that are infinitely better than any lens hood could ever dream of producing... Try it!

-Matt-

PS: I'm biased towards sigma. They're really starting to kick butt these days; tons of high quality stuff coming out. Apparently, the 12-24 is a gem if you still shoot 35mm sometimes, and the 10-20 is a gem if you've gone completely digital. Check out the current topic on the 10-20mm...

[Andy]

i use canon 10-22 ef-s and ew-83e (purchased separately) lens hood. a fantastic combination for the rebel or 20d. love the lens.

[Khaos]

i use canon 10-22 ef-s and ew-83e (purchased separately) lens hood. a fantastic combination for the rebel or 20d. love the lens.
:nod:agree:nod

[mojones]

I've got the tamron 11-18 (use it with a 300D) and can't really think of any gotchas with it. I've only had it for a couple of weeks but have really been enjoying shooting with it - some snaps here if you want a look:

http://mojones.smugmug.com/gallery/716560
http://mojones.smugmug.com/gallery/675607

If you have any other questions, just ask.

mj