Wide angle

Thinking of a wide angle lens and am wondering what the general thoughts are on the sigma 10-20 or the 8-16?
Thanks

Brian
I have no experience of the Sigma 8-16, but do own the 10-20 (older model).
It's a great lens, as others on the forum will also testify.

However when you specify you're thinking of "a wide lens", what uses do you have in mind? There is a huge difference between say 18 and 10mm; for example I also own a Sigma 18-50 f2.8, and if I took a landscape image at 18mm, then the same at 10mm I would be looking through the viewfinder as if the foreground had moved back about 5 miles

It's difficult to explain the huge difference that 10mm offers, perhaps others can explain better than me.

To give a perspective of it's uses at 10mm, all of the following were taken with me standing literally next to the pier

link

If you do end up with a 10-20, I'm sure it won't disappoint and you'll have great fun using it.

Regards
Adrian

I've seen great pictures taken on both the 10-20 and the 8-16. I wouldn't be disappointed to have either of them in my toolbox

The wide angles I do own are a Pentax 10-17mm and a Pentax DA-14mn/2.8. Both lenses exceed my technical satisfaction and as long as I press the shutter button at the right time, take cool pics

Thanks for the help, Ii have a 18-55 lens but would like something to fill the gap up to the 18mm for landscapes and general family pics and the 10-20 seems to fit the bill.

Ive just recently made the step Of adding a Sigma 10-20 to my lenses. As I wanted something wider. Wow !!, what a lens. So sharp, and it opens up another world perspective wise. I would highly recommend one.

Hi Brian

If what you are looking for is the ability to take very wide landscape shots - the Sigma 10-20 is outstanding and top of the list in terms of VFM.

IQ wise - I can see no difference between the older and newer version and personally would not pay a premium for HSM on a lens of this size - no benefit at all.

I bought mine 2 years ago and it is the only lens that I never leave at home. It probably accounts for 70% of al the images I take.

Some will undoubtedly say that the Pentax 12-24 is better but personally I can see no difference in image quality - they are both great lenses but the extra 2mm on the Sigma makes much more difference than you may think.

The 8-16 is also very capable and in terms of IQ - is up there with the 10-20. However - there is a massive downside with the 8-16 and that is you can not use standard filters on it.

If you are really wanting to get in to wide angle landscape - chances are that like most of us - at some point you will want to use ND grad filters.

For the 10-20 - any of the 100mm systems will work - Cokin Z- Hitech - Singh-Ray - Lee - Tiffen etc. At a push you can even get away with the smaller Cokin P system.

However - with the 8-16 - these can not be used due to the shape/size of the front element and view angle. Probably your only option would be the Cokin X-Pro 130mm x 170mm system and these are not easy to get hold of and very expensive. The basic kit including holder and a couple of filters will cost you more than the Sigma 10-20!!!!!!

My view - for what it's worth - buy the non HSM version of the 10-20 - find a good used example - and if you are one of the very few who finds they do not get on with it - re-sell without loss. Prices on these have not moved for some time.

Carl

Agree with all the thoughts above... don't have experience of the 8-16, but the 10-20 non hsm version is tremendous... take most of my shots with it... tend to use it as a 10mm prime... my copy sharpest f11-f14, though they do differ... and you can use the full range of nd/nd grad filters on it, so creatively the world's your oyster.... great vfm, and highly recommended...

Best

Hi,
depends on the wishes and needs of the owner! I have long considered the "balance" between the Pentax and Sigma. The decision was Sigma 10-20/3, 5! Sometimes appears a little CA, but it's my fault (when manually continuation parameters). Last year I was the most wanted lens on their tour of Denmark! My photos "cliché" just missing that width?
greeting
Vrlimir

Sigma 10-20 would get my vote. Not had mine long but have been very impressed so far.

Have you considered the Samyang 14mm f2.8? (full frame and by what I've read so far very good VFM).

Samyang will also be releasing a 10mm at some point.

I believe the Samyang 10mm has been delayed until the end of next year.

I understand that the 8-16mm has high distortion until 12mm, apart from being big and not taking any kind of practical filter system.