Wide angle lens for Nikon camera - suggestions please

November 23rd, 2015
I am considering purchasing a wide angle lens for a Nikon D7000. I know that since it is not a full frame I will lose some distance.

What I am looking for the wider the better fixed or zoom is ok.
I am NOT looking for a fish eye and want to reduce as much of the lens distortion possible.I realize there will always be some.

I will consider non Nikon brands as well - price target under $500
Also I would like to be able to get at least f2,8 to bring in more light when needed.



November 23rd, 2015
Check out used 14-24. A fantastic lens but pricy.
November 23rd, 2015
Sigma 10-20mm
November 23rd, 2015

Thank you! I was hoping to get a f2.8 aperture and under $500 - perhaps I'm asking more than what is out there.

@taffy
@chapjohn
November 23rd, 2015
Frank Hymus suggested the sigma 10-20 to me (I have a D7100) and I love it! 3.5 aperture. any of the wide shots on my project have been shot with that. It is for cropped sensor so will have vignetting problems on full frame.
November 23rd, 2015
@myhrhelper I haven't seen one. I would say if 2.8 is important to you it would be worth the wait to find a used 14-24 Nikon and pay the extra. It's the best lens I own. Amazing on full frame but I used it on a crop for a few years. On a crop it's more like 20-35 tho.
November 23rd, 2015
The Sigma 10-20, the f/3.5 constant aperture, is my go-to wide angle lens on an APS-C body. That is about 1/2 a stop slower than f/2.8. It is not image stabilized, but no lens at this focal length that I know of is. Here it is for US$499 at 42nd Street Photo, a reputable vendor.
https://www.42photo.com/Product/sigma-10-20mm-f-3-5-ex-dc-hsm-autofocus-zoom-lens---nikon---82mm-/92643

For $50-100 less, the Sigma 10-20 f/4-5.6 is said to be a fine lens too, although I have never used it.

The 14-24 Nikkor is perfect on an FX body, but on a DX body I would not find it wide enough despite the high quality glass. And it is premium priced.



November 23rd, 2015
If it helps tip the balance, I would also suggest the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 - I shoot this lens on APS-C and a Tokina 16-28mm f/2.8 on F/F... the half-stop difference is immaterial in practice.
November 23rd, 2015
I use a Tokina 11-17 on my D7000. I absolutely love it. It gets great reviews.
November 23rd, 2015
Oops price on the Tokina is around $500.
November 23rd, 2015
Given what others have said, I think you would be fine with one of those lenses and save $ in the process. Especially since the 14-24 won't give you the super-wide on a crop sensor anyway.
November 24th, 2015
I don't know how wide you need to go, but I am really enjoying my Sigma 2.8 17-50. I also have the Sigma 10-20, and I like it as well.
November 24th, 2015
I use the tokina for most of my landscape wa shots. It's light and has good glass but for astrophotography which is my passion, the nikon 12-24 2.8 is the best
November 24th, 2015
when i was using DX i had a tokina 11-16/2.8 and it was great, i would recommend that.
i use a 14-24 now on FX but that lens is not a good idea for DX due to focal length, no screw in filters and the size/weight.
November 24th, 2015
@robotvulture @jgpittenger @featherstone @taffy @365projectlinda @vignouse @frankhymus @jackies365 @chapjohn
Thank you so much for your ideas.
I saw the Tokina 11-16 2.8 in searching but I wondered if the quality was any good since the reviews seemed to be mixed. I wanted to give this lens to my husband for landscape shots but when we shoot an event indoors both of us can use a wide angle and I have been using the 35mm which has a pretty wide aperture but he has had to use the 50mm which I think in reality was 85mm (???) not sure the exact formula. I just can't afford to pay too crazy of a price at this time and I am hoping to upgrade to a full frame sometime this year - Thinking about the Nikon D610 (if I get the D810 I will need a new computer since the files are so large). For most events I don't go wider than F2.8 or F2 or I run into a focus issue. But the questions for me is the best quality on a budget price, and is it better to get an even wider angle and go with the F3.5? Will I be able to use the F3.5 when I shoot the shortest distance or the longest distance. Also I assume I can use auto focus on any of those lens??(Nikon D7000 has a motor.


November 24th, 2015
@myhrhelper the Sigma 10-20 f3.5 does autofocus on my D7100. It is 3.5 all the way through!
November 25th, 2015
@myhrhelper hmm hard to say what is "good", everyones standards and budget is different. i was happy with the tokina 11-16 and would buy again if i was on DX.
If you upgrade to the d610, then it's a totally different story. It opens up some extremely good UWA lenses that come with correspondly higher price tags :)
For FX UWA i think the nikon 16-35/4, 14-24/2.8 and tamron 15-30/2.8 are the best in that bracket. out of them i chose the 14-24 (although the tamron 15-30 is arguably better).
November 26th, 2015
Love my Tokina 11-16
Write a Reply
Sign up for a free account or Sign in to post a comment.