Wide Angle Lens Decision for Nikon DX: I have recently purchased the D7100 and have several lenses (50 mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8). Most of my photography is outdoor landscapes and I tend to...

bobgreen Loc: Maryland

I have recently purchased the D7100 and have several lenses (50 mm 1.8 and 85mm 1.8). Most of my photography is outdoor landscapes and I tend to gravitate to wide angle because I love the possibilities with composition and perspective.

My decision/dilemma -which lens to purchase? The cream of the crop seems to be the Nikon 12-24 and 10-24 ( used) , the Sigma 10-20 3.5, the Tokina 11-20 2.8, or the Tokina 12-28. All have great reviews. Whichever I choose will most likely be my go to lens.

I live on the East Coast (DC area) but will be in the Utah/"Colorado/ Arizona areas this fall.

What is your recommendation?

Thanks!

AK Grandpa Loc: Anchorage, AK

I'm very pleased with my Tokina 11-16 2.8 on my Nikon. It is very sharp . . .

MtnMan Loc: ID

Also note Nikon is coming out soon with an AF-P 10-20 at a reasonable price. You'd need to verify that the D7100 is happy with the new AF-P lenses but I think so, perhaps with a free firmware update you do yourself.

I recommend the VR version if they also offer a non-VR as they have with other AF-P lenses. The reason is that you need to use low ISO and hogh f-stop for landscapes. If you don't want to drag out the tripod all the time VR is important.

ecurb1105

Second the Tokina 11-16 f2.8, I bought one when I got my D90 and used it for architectural interiors mostly. A very good lens.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

AK Grandpa wrote:

I'm very pleased with my Tokina 11-16 2.8 on my Nikon. It is very sharp . . .

Yup, and my Tokina 12-24 f4.0 is a great performer too. The 12-28 is newer and quite a bit less expensive.

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

MtnMan wrote:

Also note Nikon is coming out soon with an AF-P 10-20 at a reasonable price. You'd need to verify that the D7100 is happy with the new AF-P lenses but I think so, perhaps with a free firmware update you do yourself.

I recommend the VR version if they also offer a non-VR as they have with other AF-P lenses. The reason is that you need to use low ISO and hogh f-stop for landscapes. If you don't want to drag out the tripod all the time VR is important.

Don't need VR for such a short focal length. It adds bulk and little else.

Bill Paustian Loc: Sun City, Az

congrats on your purchase. I upgraded to the nikon 750 and have a tokina 11-20mm f2.8 lens that I purchased brand new.
I never used the lens and would sell it if you are interested. I live in the Phoenix area and could hold it for you until your trip if that
would help. I would sell the lens for $400.00. Give me a call at 60-625-5416 if you are interested.

Bill Paustian Loc: Sun City, Az

Sorry the number is 602-625-5416

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

Bill Paustian wrote:

Sorry the number is 602-625-5416

Good to know. I called the other number and Bernie Sanders answered.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

bobgreen wrote:

I have recently purchased the D7100 and have sever... (show quote)

Rethink your need for shorter focal lengths for landscapes, unless you are going for a specific, extension-distorted image. Those are a bit cliche these days, and typical of those who bought ultra wide lenses to do landscape.

https://www.outdoorphotographer.com/tips-techniques/photo-editing-tips/supersized-panorama-stitching/

http://photography-on-the.net/forum/showthread.php?t=1389173

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JiVdun6d90Q

https://photographylife.com/panoramic-photography-howto

https://www.slrlounge.com/5-tips-for-better-panoramic-landscapes/

You will get better looking images with longer lenses and stitching panoramas. Besides, when you use a very wide lens, you end up cropping the top and bottom of the image reducing the number of pixels in the image. When you do panos, you will get much bigger images. My smaller panos are typically 75mp, and the big ones as much as 400mp or bigger. The results are totally stunning. I only use an ultra wide when I am in tight quarters, not when I am looking for an expansive view of a scene. You don't even need a tripod, unless you are shooting at low shutter speeds. Overlap is more critical than keeping things level.

I shoot full frame, and have lenses that cover from 14mm to 600mm. My go to lenses for pano are my 45mm PC-E, followed by my 85 PC-E, and 24-70, and finally my 80-200.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Kissel vonKeister wrote:

Don't need VR for such a short focal length. It adds bulk and little else.

You obviously don't do landscapes.

You need it because you need ISO 100 and f16 or higher.

Or you have to use a tripod. Which isn't always easy for landscapes.

VR adds nothing to bulk. Where did you get that silly idea?

MtnMan Loc: ID

Bill Paustian wrote:

congrats on your purchase. I upgraded to the nikon 750 and have a tokina 11-20mm f2.8 lens that I purchased brand new.
I never used the lens and would sell it if you are interested. I live in the Phoenix area and could hold it for you until your trip if that
would help. I would sell the lens for $400.00. Give me a call at 60-625-5416 if you are interested.

Just to note you don't need f2.8 for landscape. You want to use f16 and above.

That does add bulk! 😃

Kissel vonKeister Loc: Georgia

MtnMan wrote:

You obviously don't do landscapes.

You need it because you need ISO 100 and f16 or higher.

Or you have to use a tripod. Which isn't always easy for landscapes.

VR adds nothing to bulk. Where did you get that silly idea?

Good heavens, man! I do landscapes quite successfully. And why on earth would you want to introduce diffraction into your images by stopping down to f16 if you don't need to? DOF? Short FL lenses provide that and are less critical for camera movement anyway.
VR DOES add bulk if it's built into the lens but not if it's built into the body. Silly idea? Give us all a break!

BebuLamar

Gene51 wrote:

Rethink your need for shorter focal lengths for la... (show quote)

I do use stitching panoramas and there are times they are better than a wide angle but there are times the wide angle is better. I shoot mostly landscape (I am not sure but my pics rarely have people in them) but I don't think I use the wide angle lenses very often nor I have to do stitching often either.

MtnMan Loc: ID

Kissel vonKeister wrote:

Good heavens, man! I do landscapes quite successfully. And why on earth would you want to introduce diffraction into your images by stopping down to f16 if you don't need to? DOF? Short FL lenses provide that and are less critical for camera movement anyway.
VR DOES add bulk if it's built into the lens but not if it's built into the body. Silly idea? Give us all a break!

Sorry, not. Look for example at Nikon's new AF-P lenses. They come in VR and non-VR versions. No external difference other than the VR label. Unless you think 15g of weight constitutes "bulk".

https://www.dpreview.com/products/compare/side-by-side?products=nikon_af-p_70-300_4p5-6p3_ed&products=nikon_af-p_70-300_4p5-6p3_ed_vr

It's also silly to claim f-16 causes diffraction on reasonable quality lenses.