photogeneralist Loc: Lopez Island Washington State

When I was in the market for a 1.5 APSC crop sensor ultra wide, Dyxum.com user's reviews gave the Tokina 11-16 f/2.8 high marks. I purchased one and have not been disappointed. Crisp and contrasty with good color rendition but due to a tad bit of chromatic aberration, not perfect. The slight CA is easily removable in post processing. BTW I find that I use this lens mostly at the 16 mm end of it's zoom range.

amfoto1 Loc: San Jose, Calif. USA

For a BUDGET wide angle lens, you cannot beat Canon's own EF-S 10-18mm IS STM. It's a bargain at less than $300, brand new. It's also small and light weight, as well as one of the few ultrawides that have image stabilization (not really necessary, perhaps... but nice to have none-the-less). It doesn't come with lens hood... it's sold separately, but strongly recommended (also get the matching hoods for your other lenses, if you don't already have them... except perhaps for the 50mm, which has a pretty deeply inset front element, so may not need a hood).

There's also the somewhat better built and also excellent Canon EF-S 10-22mm USM. It sells for around $600 (plus hood).

Another, but more expensive option would be the EF-S 15-85mm IS USM to both give you wider angle AND to replace/upgrade from your 18-55mm. It's a very good lens, but pricier at about $800 (plus lens hood).

The Tokina AT-X 12-28mm f/4 DX and AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 DX are a couple more very good lenses that I'd recommend. The 12-28mm is currently on sale for under $300, and the 11-20mm for about $470.

Those Tokina are newer and much improved versions of 12-24mm f/4 and 11-16mm f/2.8 that preceded them. The older 12-24mm is pretty good (more chromatic aberration and not as sharp as the Canon ultrawides). The 11-16mm is quite sharp, but quite prone to flare. (The Canon 10-22mm is highly resistant to flare... the cheaper 10-18mm ain't bad either.) As a Canon user, you don't have to worry... both versions of the earlier 12-24 and 11-16 would work fine on your camera (and there's not much difference between the versions, either). Nikon users have to get the "II" version if they need the lens be able to autofocus on D3000/D5000-series cameras. The earlier versions of those lenses in Nikon mount don't have a built in focusing motor. They rely on a motor that's built into the camera... but only D7000-series and higher Nikons have that. On D3000/D5000 cameras those lenses will be manual focus only.

Forget about full frame... You probably will never need it unless you make really big prints. An APS-C camera like yours is a better choice for most people. And it would require you to replace EVERY lens you have now with much bigger, heavier, and significantly more expensive ones. Among the best full frame ultrawides are the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM ($1000), EF 16-35mm f/2.8L USM ($2000) and EF 11-24mm f/4L USM ($3000). All that money would be largely wasted, using those lenses on a crop sensor camera. On your APS-C camera you'll get significantly wider and get just as good images from any of the crop sensor lenses listed above, which are also smaller, lighter and more affordable.

DrJ

I'm considering a good, affordable WA zoom for my Canon 5D Mk III and I've valued CHG_CANON's wisdom over the years. I considered the Canon 17-40 f4L several years ago for my Canon 7D, but was disuaded by the lackluster Photozone review and bought the APS-C Tamron 17-50 f2.8 non-VC which has served me very well. For my 5D Mk III purchase, I've read numerous reviews including those in Photozone and DXOMark. I've concluded that Canon wide angle L zooms all have significant flaws and are generally over-priced new. I'm leaning towards buying a used original Canon 24-105 f4 L IS, even with its distortion and contrast flaws, because of its versatility and reach over the Canon 17-40 f4 L, and original Canon 24-70 f2.8L. With your extensive experience, I'd appreciate your comments. Thanks.

Relating this to the original post, I'm currently using the old Tamron SP 20-40 f2.8-3.7 as my WA zoom with a 2013 vintage Canon 28-135 f3.5 - 5.6 IS for greater reach when I'm walking around the yard. The Tamron 20-40 is very sharp and is both a bargain and a sleeper. The Canon 28-135 got mixed reviews, including a poor review in DXOMark, but my specimen is pretty good. I hope to evaluate the Tamron 24-70 f2.8 this friday at a local camera store event. DrJ

photodoc16

Tamron 10 - 24mm.
Photodoc16

Jsykes

If I go for EF S 10-18 or 10-22 do I need an adapter for my T6?

Blurryeyed Loc: NC Mountains.

OP is shooting a crop camera, the 16-35 is hardly any wider on that camera than his kit lens, my recommendation would be the 10-18, inexpensive and reviews really well, either that or a used 10-22, he said he wanted a budget lens.

tonal Loc: Greece

No, you don't need one.
Why would you need an adapter for an EF-S lens on a T6?
You can use any EF-S or EF compatible lens on your camera.

Jsykes

One if the responses confused me ...
hence the question

aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

You might want to look at the SAMYANG AF 14mm F2.8 EF LENS – (Canon EF mount). I believe this lens was first released in January 2018 for Sony mirrorless full frame cameras. It has subsequently been released for Nikon and Canon FF cameras. It has AF, but no IS. It has received excellent reviews for sharpness, focusing accuracy and speed, and its absence of coronal abberations. It is a further development of the Samyang 14 mm F2.8 manual focus lens line that has been well received received for its modest price and sharpness. The manual focus lenses were criticized for barrel and mustash distortion at close focus distances and vignetting in the corners. They received excellent reviews for landscape and, especially, astrophotography. Based on multiple reviews I have recently read, the SAMYANG AF updated and redesigned lens largely addresses the distortion issues, and reduces the vignetting to manageable levels while retaining/improving the desirable qualities of the manual lenses. The first iteration of the manual lenses can be purchased from B&H for approx $250 (originally released in 2013, I believe). A real bargain. As of today, B&H has the SAMYANG AF 14mm F2.8 EF LENS – (Canon EF mount) on sale for $599. I was impressed enough that I ordered one for myself today to give it a try. I should receive it on Thursday. Note: I don't work for Samyang, Canon, or any other company in the photography business, and never have. I am simply an enthusiast who likes to try new things in the photographic realm. Good luck on your decision. I honestly don't think you can make a bad one.

CHG_CANON Loc: the Windy City

If you want to spend a lot of money, get the EF 11-24mm f/4L USM. If you want to make the smart choice, get the EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM. The EF 16-35mm f/2.8L III is highly regarded, but you're paying for f/2.8 and when do you really need it?

DrJ

Thanks CHG_CANON. I agree that f2.8 is overly costly in Canon WA L zooms. I would use it mostly for landscapes and group photos where I would stop down for depth of field. My current thinking is to get a used 24 - 105 or 24 - 70 now, and perhaps a wider manual focus prime like a Rokinon or Irix at a later date. This could all change if i see an opportunity buy at the camera event Friday! DrJ

aubreybogle Loc: Albuquerque, NM

As I am sure you know the Rokinon and Samyang lenses are identicle. They are manufactured at the same facility in S Korea and marketed by the same country under different names. I like the Irix len's innovative design and reported quality. I will wait for a little while for its lenses to mature to jump in to the Irix pond. You can't go wrong with the decisions you are considering.

DrJ

Thanks aubreybogle. I have an astute PhD scientist photography friend with a Canon 6D and several L lenses and he said the Irix 15/2.4 is his sharpest lens. He has the more expensive metal intensive variant. i do gravitate to primes and I like the test reports on the Canon 28mm f2.8 IS. I wish it were a bit wider. The Canon 24mm and 20mm are generally not rated as highly. My old Tamron SP 20-40 is good enough at 20mm for the near term. DrJ

Jsykes

Thanks for the input everyone

DrJ

Exciting news. Please let us know how the AF Samyang works out. Hopefully you have other quality WA lenses for comparison, even if not 14mm. Good Luck, DrJ