Wide Angle on a Budget

[eagles03]

I have a need for a wide angle lens for my 7d. Preferably something fast, 2.8 or better.

I had a 24-70mm f/2.8L I, as well as a 17-35mm f/2.8L (yes, 17-not 16). I sold both because I didn't use them, and picked up a 50mm f/1.2L to upgrade my f/1.4 for portraits.

I would like to use this lens for indoor candid uses primarily, hence f/2.8 or faster. I have a budget of ~$600, but I am in no rush to spend that much. I don't do a lot of landscape, but occasionally I will dabble in it, as well as the sporadic attempts at astrophotography (too much light pollution where I am). I like to shoot wildlife (on a budget), so I have no desire to go ff at the moment, so I wouldn't be buying a lens with that in mind.

I wasn't a huge fan of the 17-35mm because it just wasn't all that good on my 7d. I didn't get anything calibrated, and didn't do any AFMA, so maybe having a better copy would have been fine, but I couldn't justify it at the time.

I have considered the 28mm f/1.8, but I'm not sure if that would be the best idea for me.

Thoughts?

 

[pdirestajr]

What do you consider "wide angle" on your 7D?

Samyang 14mm f2.8 is probably the fastest/ widest/ cheapest. But since you mentioned AF calibration, I'm not sure if MF is a deal breaker.

Don't think you are gonna get a wide-angle F/2.8 "or faster" for below 600.

Rent the 24mm f/1.4II and you'll save up for it!

 

[Drizzt321]

You'll be hard pressed to find any super-wide in f/2.8 that inexpensive. Only thing that comes to mind is the Samyang/Ronkinon 14mm f/2.8, however it's a manual lens, so no AF, and I think you have a manual aperture ring as well. Otherwise, if you want AF, it's get an older lens cheap if you can find one, or save up your money and find a used 16-35 v1 or v2. From what I've read I wouldn't bother with the v1, but it is significantly more expensive.

 

[Promature]

I know it's not f2.8, but consider getting the EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5. When dealing with wide angle, losing one stop is not a huge deal. A used or refurbished version should be less than your budget.

 

[barracuda]

The EF-S 15-85mm f/3.5-5.6 IS is available (and in stock) at the Canon refurbished site for $512 with the 20% off sale:

http://shop.usa.canon.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_10051_10051_269486_-1

I know it's not 2.8, but it's something to consider that's within your budget. Otherwise, a refurbished EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS can be had for less than $1k.

 

[Policar]

I know it's not f2.8, but consider getting the EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5. When dealing with wide angle, losing one stop is not a huge deal. A used or refurbished version should be less than your budget.

The 11-16mm Tokina is a little worse in terms of IQ (due to some chromatic aberration, which can be fixed in post) but it's f2.8 through the zoom range and build quality is great. It's an excellent lens. Very excellent for the money.

28mm is not very wide on the 7D, fwiw. That said, for landscapes it is my favorite focal length on APS-C. I don't like the distorted look for most landscapes. I prefer tilt/shift lenses but they are expensive.

The 17-55mm f2.8 IS is awesome in general.

 

[SJTstudios]

I know it's not f2.8, but consider getting the EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5. When dealing with wide angle, losing one stop is not a huge deal. A used or refurbished version should be less than your budget.

The 11-16mm Tokina is a little worse in terms of IQ (due to some chromatic aberration, which can be fixed in post) but it's f2.8 through the zoom range and build quality is great. It's an excellent lens. Very excellent for the money.

28mm is not very wide on the 7D, fwiw. That said, for landscapes it is my favorite focal length on APS-C. I don't like the distorted look for most landscapes. I prefer tilt/shift lenses but they are expensive.

The 17-55mm f2.8 IS is awesome in general.

+100 ;D, only I'd maybe look at the sigma 17-50 2.8 os instead of the canon.

I use the 28 1.8 on my rebel, it is really nice and sharp, it just isn't wide enough, it makes a good semi-wide, for candids though.

Tokina actually just released an 11-16 2.8 ii, it looks a lot better, so I'd use that.

Or even look at the canon 20mm 2.8 or canon/sigma 15mm 2.8

 

[eagles03]

Thanks everyone for your responses!

I am purposefully not trying any lenses that are outside my budget, because then I will end up spending way more than I have. For now, photography is just a hobby, so I can't justify spending too much.... yet...

 

[chops411]

I got the Sigma 10-20 F3.5 for $250 off of craigslist and I'm very happy with it.

 

[pwp]

I know it's not f2.8, but consider getting the EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5. When dealing with wide angle, losing one stop is not a huge deal. A used or refurbished version should be less than your budget.

I wouldn't be too stuck on an f/2.8 lens, particularly if you're on a tight budget. The EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5 is Gold Standard and if you ever want to on-sell, it will hold its value better than just about anything else mentioned so far.

-PW

 

[Promature]

I wouldn't be too stuck on an f/2.8 lens, particularly if you're on a tight budget. The EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5 is Gold Standard and if you ever want to on-sell, it will hold its value better than just about anything else mentioned so far.

-PW

Glad someone else agrees with me. It's also in his budget if he buys it used or refurbished (see reply above).

 

[rpt]

Check out the 20 mm 2.8 or the 15 mm fisheye. Both Canon. Both in your price range. Both 2.8. Both can be considered "wide" on a 7D. I have no experience of these lenses. Maybe someone who has them can share...

 

[verysimplejason]

Tokina 11-16 and the Canon 10-22 are your best choices. If you want faster and sharper, it's the tokina for you. If you want a good overall lens, the Canon 10-22 is for you. You can also consider the Sigma and Tamron counterparts but those two for me provide the best IQ and best bang for the buck lenses.

 

[sagittariansrock]

I know it's not f2.8, but consider getting the EF-S 10-22 f3.5-4.5. When dealing with wide angle, losing one stop is not a huge deal. A used or refurbished version should be less than your budget.

The 11-16mm Tokina is a little worse in terms of IQ (due to some chromatic aberration, which can be fixed in post) but it's f2.8 through the zoom range and build quality is great. It's an excellent lens. Very excellent for the money.

28mm is not very wide on the 7D, fwiw. That said, for landscapes it is my favorite focal length on APS-C. I don't like the distorted look for most landscapes. I prefer tilt/shift lenses but they are expensive.

The 17-55mm f2.8 IS is awesome in general.

+100 ;D, only I'd maybe look at the sigma 17-50 2.8 os instead of the canon.

I use the 28 1.8 on my rebel, it is really nice and sharp, it just isn't wide enough, it makes a good semi-wide, for candids though.

Tokina actually just released an 11-16 2.8 ii, it looks a lot better, so I'd use that.

Or even look at the canon 20mm 2.8 or canon/sigma 15mm 2.8

I tried the Tokina before going for the 10-22. I don't think the 11-16 was sharper- the 10-22 is extremely sharp. The decider for me was the full-time manual, low distortion at the wider end, and greater range. I love the 10-22...

The new Tokina comes with additional coatings- technically that cannot reduce chromatic aberration, and that is the only change. The benefits of the Tokina to me would be the larger and constant aperture, very nice build quality, and the smooth zoom and focus rings. Two videographer friends of mine both love the lens.

 

[chunnamlaw]

I would also recommend the Samyang 14mm f2.8 if its wide enough for you. I also have a 7D and I've been using the Samyang 14mm alot lately. Its really sharp for the price and my only complain is the distortion (which is expected for such a wide lens)

At the 14mm focal length its very easy to zone focus so the lack of AF wont be much of an issue.

 

[JPAZ]

Another testimonial for the EF-s 10-22. This was my "go to" for existing light interiors when I had a crop body. Now on FF, I hope my 17-40 does as well.

Also consider the Rokinon 14mm f2.8 if you think you really want a faster lens. There are many "brands" of this lens that are all the same. I got the Pro-optic from Adorama 'cause it was about $40 cheaper.

 

[Policar]

I would also recommend the Samyang 14mm f2.8 if its wide enough for you. I also have a 7D and I've been using the Samyang 14mm alot lately. Its really sharp for the price and my only complain is the distortion (which is expected for such a wide lens)

At the 14mm focal length its very easy to zone focus so the lack of AF wont be much of an issue.

Amazing performance for the money if you don't mind MF, but the distortion is much worse than it should be. The 14mm f2.8 L II has almost no distortion. Even the 17-40mm f4 L has much less. It's really, really bad and needs correction in post more often than not.

 

[picturesbyme]

I would check these out in a store from a friend or by renting them:
Tokina 11-16 2.8
Canon 17-55 2.8 , 10-22, 15-85,
Tokina 16-28 2.8
I used to have the 16-28. Never had a prob with its sharpness or speed. That can be used on FF later... and the approx 26mm isn't that bad.

 

[verysimplejason]

I would check these out in a store from a friend or by renting them:
Tokina 11-16 2.8
Canon 17-55 2.8 , 10-22, 15-85,
Tokina 16-28 2.8
I used to have the 16-28. Never had a prob with its sharpness or speed. That can be used on FF later... and the approx 26mm isn't that bad.

16-28 is good. I'll only warn you that it can't use filters (though there are special/expensive way of doing it). Filters are very important for landscape photography.

 

[picturesbyme]

I would check these out in a store from a friend or by renting them:
Tokina 11-16 2.8
Canon 17-55 2.8 , 10-22, 15-85,
Tokina 16-28 2.8
I used to have the 16-28. Never had a prob with its sharpness or speed. That can be used on FF later... and the approx 26mm isn't that bad.

16-28 is good. I'll only warn you that it can't use filters (though there are special/expensive way of doing it). Filters are very important for landscape photography.

True, the front element is nice and curvy however since CS5 I barely used a filter.. save for NDs a couple times.. but I see that could be a prob. The other thing is the AF switch... a bit different and not everyone likes it... still its a good lens.