Choosing a wide-angle lens for SLR cameras

Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 IF Di II LD Aspherical

Tamron engineers took into account the comments to the first version of this object and redesigned not only the optical circuit, but also the autofocus system. The result was interesting. After all, for a very affordable price, beginners can purchase a good object and understand whether they need such a range of focal lengths. Please note that this object — regardless of the bayonet — was developed to work with "crop" cameras, that is, equipped with APS-C and smaller matrices.

Tests and user reviews indicate that the working diaphragms, regardless of the position of the transfocator, lie in the range f / 5,6-8. Due to the very large angle of view, the absence of an optical transfocator does not seem to be a big drawback — the wiggle appears only after 1/30 sec.

The picture, which is sharp enough in the centre of the frame, softens noticeably as it approaches its edges. Geometric distortions can be noticed, but they do not spoil the impression. There is also a barrel distortion, but it is small and is automatically corrected by the profile for Adobe Camera RAW. Chromatic aberrations are present, however, they are easily removed at the post-processing stage. The image has a normal contrast, and there are no noticeable colour distortions. The bokeh is quite pleasant, although the wide angle of view does not allow you to blur objects in the area of blurring beyond recognition.

Tamron 10-24 has large lenses, and the object itself cannot be called compact. Nevertheless, it does not "pull" the camera down, and the average weight allows you to shoot comfortably enough with your hands.

The zoom and focus rings are wide. They are covered with rubber pads with a large texture, which makes fine tuning convenient. The rotation of the rings is smooth, without noticeable backlash. It should be noted the long stroke of the manual focus wheel. This is necessary primarily for videographers, because it allows you to smoothly change the focus area. A good petal blend is included in the delivery package.

Note that a micromotor is used for automatic focus. Before buying a version for Nikon cameras, make sure of compatibility, since not all devices are equipped with a built-in autofocus drive motor. The manual/automatic focus mode switch does not imply the possibility of manual adjustment — in automatic mode, the wheel is mechanically locked. Another detail is that the front lens does not rotate during focus and transfocation.

Tamron 10-24mm F/3.5-4.5 Di II can be recommended to those who want to try shooting at a wide angle. At low cost, this object gives good results, especially if you use post-processing.

Sigma 10-20mm f/4.0-5.6 AF HSM EX DC

Sigma releases versions of this object for all common bayonets with APS-C matrices and smaller sizes. This object has been on the market for a long time and deservedly received a lot of flattering reviews from satisfied customers. They note the high quality of workmanship, pleasant to the touch finishing materials and, of course, good shooting results. And a lot of metal is used in its construction, so, by the way, it is heavy (470 g).

Working diaphragms start at f/8, and large ones give a noticeably soft picture. The image is obtained with the correct colour reproduction and normal contrast (if you do not direct the front lens directly at the bright light source). There are geometric distortions, and they are noticeable at the edges of the frame, but they can be corrected thanks to the presence of a profile for Photoshop and Lightroom. The main thing is not to confuse it, because in the Sigma line there is a model with the same focal lengths, but with an aperture of f/ 3.5. And there are no problems with geometry in the centre of the frame at all focal lengths.

When the image is cropped in a graphic editor, it is necessary to pay attention to vignetting compensation, it is noticeable in the teleposition, if the equivalent of a focal length of 30 mm can be called that. When shooting a video, vignetting is not critical and not very noticeable. Bokeh, taking into account the angle of view and a small aperture, is not often obtained, and this is good, because in the area of blurring, the contrasting edges of objects create ripples.

The wheels of the zoom and manual focus on sharpness are not very wide, but this made it possible to spread them at a sufficient distance so that the owners of the thumbs do not experience discomfort. The rotation of these elements is soft, there are no backlashes. The transfocator is twofold, but the course of the focal length change ring is noticeably long. This is important for an ultra-wide-angle object, where a relatively small stroke turns out to be large in terms of degrees of angle of view.

The ultrasonic motor moves the lens blocks quickly and quietly, despite the fact that the minimum focus distance of Sigma AF 10-20 is only 24 cm, and the maximum is infinity. The object is equipped with a manual/ automatic focus mode switch, but the photographer, regardless of his settings, can make adjustments at any time.

Sigma AF 10-20mm F4.0-5.6 EX DC HSM is an excellent choice for those who evaluate future purchases in terms of price and quality. This is a good object for its price, and to get the best quality, you need to significantly increase the low-cost.

Tokina 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 AF Price from 24 738 up to 27 636 ₴ →

Formally, this object differs significantly from other participants in our review, because it is a "fish eye" with all the ensuing consequences in the form of characteristic distortions and usage features. However, there are two weighty arguments due to which he is present in the rating.

Firstly, the low-cost does not allow many amateurs to purchase both a classic "fisheye" and an ultra-wide-angle zoom object. Tokina AF 10-17 partially replaces both. Secondly, distortions, especially in the teleposition, are well corrected automatically by the profile in Adobe Camera RAW or manually by the Adaptive Wide Angle filter in Photoshop.

Tokina AF 10-17 is available in a version for Canon and Nikon APS-C devices. And for the latter without a built-in motor. Accordingly, autofocus requires the presence of an engine in the camera, and, as you know, not all Nikon models are equipped with it. When shooting on Canon, the maximum diagonal angle of view is 168° — due to the crop factor of 1.6. After removing the lens hood, the object can be installed on full-frame cameras, however, at focal lengths of 10-14 mm, vignetting will be very strong, and the image will acquire the character characteristic of circular "fish eyes".

The owners say that the sharpness starts with an aperture of f/ 4.5. To be sure, you can set f /5.6-8, then even in the corners of the frame you will get a good result. In addition to the already mentioned characteristic distortions (for fish-eye models), there are chromatic aberrations in the picture. Therefore, shooting in RAW and processing on a computer is highly recommended.

There are no complaints about the design: the object is well made, the finishing materials are pleasant to the touch, we will cut the metal bayonet. The rings of transfocation and focus are spaced apart and have a noticeable fluting with fingers. The sharpening is accompanied by sounds, but it happens quickly. The mechanism allows the photographer to make corrections without additional switching.

Since the use of filters is not provided by the design, the front lens is protected by a water-repellent coating WR (Water Repellent). Nevertheless, care should be taken when working, since the minimum focus distance is only 14 mm and the lens can accidentally hit the object of the shooting.

If you need an object for experiments with perspective, for non-standard portraits and for landscape shooting, include Tokina AF 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 in the list of candidates for purchase. We also add that when shooting video in a wide-angle position with Tokina, an interesting picture is obtained.

Canon 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 EF-S IS STM Price from 9 708 up to 14 952 ₴ →

An interesting object from Canon, attracting the attention of fans with an excellent price-quality ratio. Tests show that in the range f|/5,6-11 it gives a sharp picture with minor distortions, and in the corners its deterioration is not critical.

The manufacturing quality is unexpectedly high for this price category. So, the rings rotate smoothly, the angle of rotation is enough to accurately select the focal length. The focus ring is electrified and is not mechanically connected to the lens blocks. Therefore, the use of Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM leaves a pleasant impression.

Pentax 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 IF SMC DA ED Fish-Eye Price from 26 208 up to 33 180 ₴ →

The history of the appearance of very similar objects Tokina AF 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 and Pentax SMC DA 10-17mm f/3.5-4.5 is not known. There is an opinion that Tokina makes a version of the Pentax design for Canon and Nikon bayonets, and they are all based on another "film" smc PENTAX-F FISH-EYE 17-28mm 1:3.5-4.5. Accordingly, what was said about the nature of the picture, "pitfalls" and ways to overcome them at Tokina This is also true for the Pentax SMC DA 10-17mm.

Tests indicate excellent sharpness in the centre of the frame and along the edges, and the most successful is the f/11 aperture. The image of this Pentax lends itself well to correction due to the presence of a profile for Adobe Camera RAW and virtually no vignetting.

The features of this model include the fact that there is no motor inside for automatic focus. The lenses are moved by a "screwdriver" located in the camera bayonet.

Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G AF-S ED DX Nikkor Price from 31 000 up to 69 174 ₴ →

This Nikon object can be cited as an example of a good model of its type. After all, it is perfectly designed, carefully assembled, provides "ringing" sharpness already at f/5,6. And a quiet and fast ultrasonic motor is responsible for autofocus. In addition, the Nikkor 10-24mm steadfastly holds the contour light and moderately vignettes the picture.

The only thing that directs the eyes of potential buyers to other models is the price tag for Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED AF-S DX. Against the background of universal amateur zooms, it seems unreasonably high. Moreover, even after some cost reduction, and at the start of sales, the Nikkor 10-24mm cost about $900. However, wide-angle objects, especially of this level, and for other systems are not cheap.

Sony 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 DT Price from 11 900 up to 15 990 ₴ →

Sony is in no hurry to abandon SLR cameras with bayonet A, which it inherited from the former greatness of Minolta. And to install SAL-1118 on Sony mirrorless devices with an E mount, for example, the popular NEX, a motorized Sony LA-EA4 adapter is required, otherwise autofocus will not work.

Sony SAL-1118 gives excellent sharpness at f/8-11 apertures and distortions acceptable for this class of optics (including barrel distortion and chromatic aberration). The combination of these qualities attracts the attention of buyers to it.

Thanks to the use of polycarbonate in the manufacture of the case, the object turned out to be relatively light. Although it is relatively large in size (the filter diameter is 77 mm) and consists of 15 lenses (a record of this selection).