Newbie trying to decide on WA lens

[bmcdougald]

Last Feb., I bought a Nikon D80 kit with the 18-135mm f/3.5-5 and the Nikon 55-200mm VR f/4-5.6 lenses. I'm having a problem trying to decide which wide angle lens to get for my D80, or if I should even get one at all.

In March, I am planning a family trip for Spring break to Durango CO (Mesa Verde/Siverton/Ourey) and Moab UT (Arches/Canyonlands nat. parks). Then in April, a friend and I are going take a 3 day photo safari to Big Bend nat. park.

Would a wide angle lens give me anything I don't already have in my arsenal? I'm going to use the lens primarily for landscapes/cityscapes, nature photography, fireworks displays, etc. Maybe some indoor architecture photos (old churches, buildings, etc.) as well.

I'm bouncing back and forth between the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 and the Tokina 12-24mm f/4. The Nikon 12-24mm DX f/4, which is preferred, is just out of my budget. I've read a lot of good things about the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5-5.6, but everybody says it has a cheap feel, and that it doesn't like filters very well. I want a lens that is solid, that can stand up to hiking trails and the usual outdoor punishment.

Every review I've read on the Tokina lenses says that they are great, but some have issues with chromatic abberation (CA). They also say this can be "easily" fixed in Photoshop. How big a deal is CA?

Thanks for the input.

-bruce

[mhayes]

Bruce,

I also have the D80 and too thought that the Nikkor 12-24 was out of reach but now have one. Patience on Ebay paid off and I now have a mint 12-24 in my arsenal that i picked up for $650. There were always a few to pick from. I made a determination of what I was willing to pay and then kept bidding on what I thought were the best lenses available. I am completely happy with this lens choice and it is used for almost half of my photos.

Some people shy away from Ebay but I sold all of my old film cameras and have purchased two lenses with no problems. Just watch the published shipping prices and steer clear of the ads with poor grammar and spelling and the one's stating that the seller is selling for a friend or relative.

Mark

[Bonish Photo]

Keep an eye on the Fred Miranda buy/sell forum as they have a ton of Nikon shooters who are always getting rid of stuff or trading it out.

I cant really comment on anything Nikon because I shoot Canon, but I can say that I would back-up any of the Sigma lenses. I have a few of them and have drug them through the ringer many times. They hold up pretty good to any abuse you can dish out to them. Only time I've had to send one back for a repair was when it got knocked off a table from about 4' in height. The lens took the brunt of the fall and had a piece of plastic floating around inside.

Funny part was I could still focus it manually (The fall made the autofocus just hunt to lock on to anything) and finished the shoot with it in manual before I sent it off to be fixed. Got it back a week later as good as new and havent had problems since.

Good luck, sounds like you've got some fun trips lined up!

[bmcdougald]

Mark/Pat

took both your advice. I looked on FredMiranda.com and found a mint Nikon AF-S 12-24mm f/4 DX (w/hood, box & paperwork) for $600 shipped.

Still I wonder what pics I could have taken with a Tokina 11-16mm f2.8, but I know I can't go wrong with a Nikon lens.

Thanks for your suggestions.

bruce

[Bonish Photo]

Hey Bruce, be careful with that buy sell forum. I all to often see deals that are just too good to pass up. I know I try to check it at least once a week, and there are plenty of times I've snagged stuff that I might not have been able to afford right at that moment, but when you see stuff for half of what it should cost new, and its only a few months old, how can you pass it up

Congrats on the new lens.

[bmcdougald]

Thanks for the heads up. The lens wasn't new, and it was past the Nikon 5 yr warranty period, but it appeared to be in excellent shape. It was described as "Like New" on the post. I checked the sellers feedback on fredmiranda.com, and he appeared to be on the up and up.

I guess we'll know for sure when I have the lens in my hands.

Thanks, again.

[bob_r]

Bruce,

I think Pat was warning you about the addiction that can take place if you spend too much time there. I've bought and sold items on there, but try not to just page through all the posts. There are some deals that you just can't pass up, even when the budget says you should.

Congrats on the new lens!

Bob R