Camera Labs

can you suggest the best affordable nikkor wide angle lens, whether prime or zoom lens.

thanks

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Why is there something instead of nothing?

Nikkor wideangle lenses are expensive. The 12-24mm f/4 AF-S DX costs £679 in the UK. The only prime options are the 10.5mm f/2.8G ED DX Fisheye at £448, the 14mm f/2.8D at £995 and the 16mm f/2.8 Fisheye at £499.

You have to go to a different brand if you want something cheaper. Sigma make the 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM which costs £290. Tamron have the AF 11-18mm f4.5 - 5.6 Di II LD which costs £350. Tokina have two wide angle lenses. The AT-X 10-17mm f3.5-4.5 DX costs £500 and the AT-X 12-24 f4 DX costs £400.

I have no idea what any of these lenses are like. I make do with the 18-70mm lens for wide angle duties on my New Zealand trip. For the most part it was OK but there were times when I would have loved to have a wider angle lens. I believe Thomas has the Nikkor 10.5mm fish eye which he took to NZ as well. Maybe he could post some pictures taken with that.

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Nikon D80, Nikkor lenses: 35mm f1.8 G AF-S DX, 50mm f/1.8 AF D, 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5G ED-IF AF-S DX, 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6G IF-ED AF-S VR, SB800 flash
My photos on SmugMug

Hi donpakundo,

there are only very few candidates that come to mind!
from Nikon:
- AF-S DX 12-24mm 4G IF-ED
I'm not interested in this, because it's only 33% wider than a standard lens/zoom.
- AF DX 10.5mm 2.8G Fisheye
This lens I own and love! Cheaper than the 12-24mm Nikkor and much more fun. Nice, bright, sharp, high contrast, but not for D40-owners! Can be straightened out with SW. See some of my photos here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/38912116@N00/tags/fisheye/
from others:
- Sigma Objektiv AF 10-20mm 4.0-5.6 EX DC HSM
Nice design, but shame on the quality controll. Read my own story here: http://www.cameralabs.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=182 or consult other user feedback at the web
- Tamron Objektiv SP AF 11-18mm 4.5-5.6 Di II LD Asp IF
PQ seems ok but falls off at the edges, build qual. so so
- Tokina Objektiv AT-X 10-17mm 3.5-4.5 AF DX Fisheye
I think this is the only fisheye(1)-zoom(!). Unfortunately the PQ is visibly bad

So in the end, it turns out as (almost) always: quality has its price

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Thomas (beware: Nikon-fanboy and moderator!) My Lens Reviews, My Pictures, My Photography Blog
D800+assorted lenses