Is it wide enough?

[Manfred M]

I own the 80mm - 400mm lens and while it has served me well, it is not a lens I would recommend general work. As has been already stated, it is an older generation lens with a slow, screw focus. Not that fast and not that accurate, especially at the long end. I pretty well only use it for wildlife shots.

If you find that the 18mm is too narrow; I would go to the Tokina f/2.8 11-16mm lens. The old version that I have is screw drive, but that has never been much of a problem, as the range of movement on an ultrawide is pretty limited. It is a very sharp lens; far better than the kit 18 - 55mm. Tokina has just announced an internal motor version, with no change in the optics. I personally find that I generally shoot at the 11mm end most of the time.

[Dave Humphries]

~ I would go to the Tokina f/2.8 11-16mm lens. The old version that I have is screw drive, but that has never been much of a problem, as the range of movement on an ultrawide is pretty limited. It is a very sharp lens; far better than the kit 18 - 55mm. Tokina has just announced an internal motor version, with no change in the optics. I personally find that I generally shoot at the 11mm end most of the time.

That's useful to know Manfred - thanks.

I had previously shortlisted that lens on IQ by 100% pixel peeping review test shots, but with my D5000 being without a screwdriver I had not intended to proceed

I still don't have an UWA, so perhaps it is back on the list, price dependent.

Cheers,

[William W]

. . . untill I win lotto, maybe then I will buy a good 300mm f1.4 and a teleconverter . . .

I just did a quick re read of the thread and I don’t think it has been mentioned that for “birds” the kit lens you have would likely be better than the one you were considering – this especially being so in respect of AF acquisition and maybe even IQ at maximum aperture.

That being the likely case – correct exposure and nailing focus would lend itself to a slight crop in PP to get the same framing as using a 400mm lens.

WW

[dubaiphil]

Peter poider thanks every one for their advice, I think I will stick with what I have untill I win lotto, maybe then I will buy a good 300mm f1.4 and a teleconverter, or just the straight 600mm

Peter

I'd buy a Holden ute as well, if I were you.

To mount your 300mm f1.4 on

[jcuknz]

Obviously there must be subjects that require the UWA lens ....wide angle needing to be taken at the same split second ....but they have missed me and for the very few occasions when I want a wide view I stitch. I started with a 35mm and latest lens is 28mm which seems to be handy but I would prefer more reach rather than wide ... one of the drawbacks of changing from bridge to M4/3
Note ... 950AoV at f/4.5 is quite nice

[Polar01]

Poider: I use the 16-85mm on my D7000 as a every day lens, if I need to go wide (in buildings) I use the Sigma 10-20mm, I also own the 80-400mm that I use for landscape with a tripod. I do not need to worry about fast or fast focusing rivers, mountains, and forests do not move that fast. If they are moving than I am in big trouble.

Cheers:

Allan

[darkslide]

Someone makes a 300mm f/1.4? Wow