Best wide angle/landscape lens

map27

Hi everyone,

Like most of you, I have the D3100 with the standard 18-55mm kit lens. I'm really getting into travel and landscape photography and need advice about which wide angle lens to get.

I'd prefer a Nikon lens within the £300-£500 bracket, but I know they can be a lot pricier for a beginner so I'm open to other brand options too.

Thanks in advance for your help!
MA

kravattisolmu

Nikkor is great, but expensive. Other alternatives are Tokina 12-24mm (or brand new 12-28mm), Tokina 11-16mm constant f/2.8, Sigmas wide angles, Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 and Sigma 8-16mm.

My main lens for travel is the Tokina 12-24mm f/4. I love constant f/4. At 12mm you can handhold shots with very low shutter speeds in dim places like museums. It has flaring, but when you are a ware of it you can make use of it in your photos. I bought one used for 250 euros. New ones seem to be $447. Tokina just made a new version of the lens 12-28mm. The 24-28mm difference doesn't sound big but from my experience it is a massive difference. If the Tokina 12-28mm gets good reviews I'm going to switch to it. The 12-28mm is a perfect walk around travel/landscape focal length.

map27

Thanks for your great advice!
As I'm only getting started, I think I may just go for a Tokina, either 12-24mm as you say or check out the new 12-28mm.

I'm also interested in getting the Nikon AF-S 55-300mm VR as a good all-rounder and also because Moose said it's good for travel photography too. Does anyone know if this can meet my needs for wide angle photography as well?

With thanks,
MA

Adelphos

I ended up springing the cash and getting the Nikkor 10-24mm, and I love it. I wish they made a 10mm prime because I pretty much leave it there.

map27

That Nikkor 10-24mm looks absolutely lush. It has been rated 100% five stars on Amazon UK so it must be good! That's on my wishlist so maybe once I become less of a newbie at this stuff I'll treat myself to it. :)

kravattisolmu

Yes, Nikkor 10-24mm will hold its value for ages. There's no reason to buy a new version of that lens. Tokina's are well build too and I can guarantee that they will survive nuclear holocaust if need to! ;) You will love the 77mm filter size. Wide angle lenses look most pro to me.

The 55-300mm must be decent for traveling. I use a Tamron 70-300mm VC and I think it's stronger than the 55-300mm, but for camera crop the 70mm is an odd focal length. At 55mm you can be pretty close to your subject.