[EKIMIKE]

Hi,

Im looking to invest in a wideangle lens for my D40x, obviously i don't really want to push the boat out and spend all my hard earned money being that im still learning.

Baring that in mind i've come to the conclusion that the 12-24mm Nikkor is a bit extreme for me, to say the least. One lens i have been quite keen on is the Sigma 10-20mm. Now, reading about, the lens gets some good things said but on the other hand some apparently fundamental flaws occur with this lens. Being a novice, am i really going to notice some of these issues?

Another thing is that i want to be able to experiment with filters and the Cokin series seems to give the most options at an affordable price. Reading aorund, the P series and the Sigma don't appear to be a match made in heaven. Vignetting i hear is the problem. Is it full on strong vignetting? would it be negligable to the average amateur like myself? does it only occur at the wide end of the focal range?

The solution appears to be the Z pro series but it all looks a bit daunting to myself. 1) they look massive and 2) with a name like that they sound expensive. Im also not sure if they give the ability to 'stack' filters (i don't know if thats the correct term when talking cokin). Obviously i've seen the 'wideangle' P series solution but it only allows one 1 piece to be applied.

Anyway, i'll quit yacking and let you guys give me the proper advice.

Much appreciated,

MiKE

[VinnyP]

The flaws will be softness in the corners especially below F8 and yes you will notice if you look real hard but very few others will.

Apparently some are very bad indeed but mine is about the same as my Nikon 12-24 was. Others talk about smearing but that is usually down to not understanding the limitations of a WA.

As for filters, at 10mm you will get some vignetting with any "Slot in" filter and you will not want to be stacking in front the Sigma. A thin circular polariser like the digi pro Hoya, Nikon or B&W slim will only slightly vignette.

I know the Cokin Z is expensive compared to the P but you may want to standardise on 100mm. That way later, if you like, you could use them with other sytems. The most often used are Grad ND or NDs after a polariser with a wide angle. for quick and dirty you can often just hold them in front of the lens if you use a tripod. But if you do use a tripod and it's not too windy HDR can be a cool alternative.

[tomu]

The Sigma 10-20mm is a great lens, I bought one last month and would highly recommend it. I haven't got any shots on here using it, but if you have a look at Dave's pictures he has taken some fantastic pictures with this lens

As for the Cokin P filters, I too have been looking into these lately. There is another problem with them you haven't noted, which is that with the ND and ND Grad filters have a colour cast problem. You can however use the filters at 10mm with the wide angle adapter, but with only one filter (and possibly the Circular polariser, I think there was thread about this a little while ago here).

The Z Pro filters should work fine stacked, but as you say they are more expensive due to being 100mm rather than 84mm. There's a couple of other options, the Lee filters, but they too are expensive. I have also stumbled across a 'Hitech" system by Formatt, which I've only found a few comments about, but they were positive ones.

[Sonsey]

Hi Mike, welcome to Pixalo

Just thought I'd point out our Equipment Review section just in case you havn't seen it, definitely worth a look.

Here's the link to the reviews on the Sigma 10-20

...And another lens you may want to look at, the Tokina 12-24

Hope these help a bit

[Markulous]

Another vote for the Sigma 10-20mm. Got a few pics in my Gallery

[Dave]

These might help also :- Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM example / sample photos / shots

[WOODY]

GO FOR A SIGMA 10 - 20 MM LENS FANTASTIC, HAVE A LOOK AT DAVES SHOT WITH IT.

[EKIMIKE]

Well thank you for your opinions, i have to say im firmly set on getting this lens now. I think also, im not going to shell out on Cokin Z series.

The wideangle P adapter seems the best option but like i said earlier i would like to use several filters at once. Would only having the possibility of using 1 filter be much of a loss? or will it just be a frustration that i'll never be able to get the affect i'm looking for?

MiKE

[slipstream]

A vote here for the Tokina 12-24 f4, a very underated lens, built like a tank.
Samples here

[VinnyP]

What effect are you looking for that you would need multiple filters for it has been a long time since I used more than a Polariser and a Grad or lone ND. Also I have just had a look, the P series is only good down to 20mm so you would get major vignetting at the wide end of the 10-20.

[EKIMIKE]

So i suppose i would be better just getting a thin Hoya Pro1 Polariser?

Thanks for the suggestion of the Tokina but it will only Manual Focus on my D40x

Thanks for all the comments, i think i know what im going to buy e.t.c

MiKE

[mikesmigaj]

I've been using the Nikon 12-24mm for about 2 years on my D50, and yes it was expensive, but it was well worth it! I don't look at my pictures under a microscope. I don't notice a slight softness at the corners or straightnes of the lines. Wide angle is FUN! It has its problems, like all lenses have. Example: A fixed(prime) lens is fixed. I have to do the zooming in by walking this way or that way. Every lens that is in my backpack has its strengths and weakness. All I have is Nikon(Nikkor) lenses. When I go to the mall and have lunch, I usually go to the Ritz camera store. Sometimes I'll have a hands-on session with the lens on a comporable Nikon camera. This will tell me what the lens is like. And don't be affraid to ask a LOT of questions! Read all you want about the object. But do some research, then try it out yourself. If you're at a remote location, get with a camera club and ask and maybe ask to borrow the lens right there in front of them and try it out. When these items in question cost many hundreds or even thousands of dollars, it's worth it!

[Markulous]

As a fun intro and in order to whether you'd use a wide angle, why not get a Zenitar 16mm fisheye with M42 adapter? Cheap, cheerful but a whole lot of fun - OK, manual, but forces you to think about the composition and you can get some fantastic images from it.

Took this shot using it:

[silkstone]

You should be OK with the wide-angle version of the Cokin P holder, even at 10mm. I cut down a standard holder to leave the PL slot and one filter slot, and there's no vignetting with the Canon 10-22. The projecting sides are the problem with the standard holder.

Remember that the w/a holder still lets you use a PL plus one other filter, although I do have reservations about using polarisers with such a wide field of view.

[EKIMIKE]

Well i've ordered the 10-20mm Sigma and i'm just about to get the w/a Cokin P. Which ND Grad should i get 2, 4 or 8?