Ultra Wide-Angle Lens

Hi all,

I've been using the kit lens (18-55 WR) quite a bit but think I need something wider. The main use I was thinking was for landscapes/Interiors of buildings. However it would have been quite useful at the Bristol Balloon Fiesta...

Options I've been looking at are:

Pentax 12-24
Sigma 10-20
Tamron 10-24

I'd be interested in any experience anyone has had with any (or indeed all) these lenses. I've had a look on the other forum and thought I'd try here as well.

Matt

This comes up a lot! In a nutshell I think this covers it:

Price v performance: Sigma
Subtly better image quality: Pentax

The Pentax is said to have less distortion, but I believe the Sigma pulls even at 12mm.

Remember the 12-24 can also be had with a "Samsung" badge instead of "Pentax" - buying one those might save you some money.

I have a sigma 10-20 but haven't had much time to test it it does look a little soft to me. When I was using Nikon I had the Tamron which gets a lot of bashing but I really was happy with it. Even better than it though was the Nikon 12-24 which was excellent and I am missing it's IQ ( I bought it cause the Tamron had horrible AF on the d40)

I'd go try all three of them before making a choice.

Nikon isn't one of the choices though...without doubt I would recommend the Pentax 12-24mm, a stunningly good lens.

I know the Nikon is not a choice John was just saying it was an excellent lens...

Hi Matthew.


I have examples of the Sigma 10 -20 in my portfolio on here for you to come to your own conclusions about. I enjoy using this and the 18-55 DA MK II which I guess is close to your WR optically.

Have you considered the Sigma 8-16?

Excellent lens, shots here.

When you look at shots from this (or most of the other options above too) next to the kit lens, you'll probably want to upgrade the kit lens!

Own the Sigma 10-20mm, never found it soft. Here's an example.

I have the Pentax 12 -24 lens and I agree with John Riley "a stunningly good lens" outstanding in fact.

The other question you might wish to revisit is this: Do you need to restrict yourself to a zoom lens?

I've owned a Sigma 10-20, as with all Sigma lenses quality is a lottery, I was lucky and got a reasonable one. excellent in the centre but falling off towards the edges with noticable vignetting at the 10mm end (this was on a Canon for reference). My advice there is to shop locally so you can try it first, or at least from somewhere that has a decent returns policy. When you get a good one they can be very good mind you.

Thanks for all the comments (and links to incredible shots) thus far - I'll definitely be trying them out before buying. I'll go away and have a look at the 8-16 which is something I hadn't initially thought of.

I have seen several threads on the zoom vs prime debate and I'm sure I don't want to open that one - suffice to say there are a few primes are on the wishlist.

I use a Sigma 12-24mm.

Very good lens and the only one FF capable should Pentax/Ricoh release such a body.