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My current 35-70 f2.8 zoom lens is a great general purpose lens on a film camera but on a digital camera I will have to look for a new wide-angle lens.

The only problem is that they all seem slow. The two most popular and fastest seem to be the 12-24 Nikon and Tokina, both f4

Are there any faster wide-angle lenses available? Is there some design reason why manufacturers can't make a wide-angle lens faster than f4?

Tom

Tom, a wide angle lets more light in than a tele, so f4 seems like more than it would be on a 600mm. Any particular need for a fast wide? In moderately wide there is 17-55 2.8.

yes, there are:
Nikkor 28/1.4, one of Nikon legend glass!
Nikkor 14/2.8
Nikkor 16/2.8
Nikkor 18/2.8
NIkkor 20/2.8
Zoom 17-55/ 17-35/ 20 35/ 2.8

Glen wrote:Tom, a wide angle lets more light in than a tele, so f4 seems like more than it would be on a 600mm. Any particular need for a fast wide? In moderately wide there is 17-55 2.8.

Glen, I like to hand-hold a camera when I shoot in low light. Actually, I have been thinking of getting the 17-55 f2.8 as it would give me slightly more coverage than I have now and maybe just add a fast wide prime lens.

But I would love a faster 12-24 lens!

Tom

Tom, sirhc55 has some night shots taken with the Sigma 12-24 f4.5 - 5.6 handheld posted here. Do a search under his name. You will be surprised how much light gets into the 12mm. You will be even more surprised about the 28 1.4, some sort of magic in there, but should be at the price

If anyone in the Melbourne area is quick enough there is a Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 lens on offer at Camera Exchange at the moment for $1700. It is in really good condition and works a treat (I tried it out the other night although I am going to pass on buying it for the moment... I have spent too much already of late!).

Some bad news... I have had a mini shoot out with the Tokina 12-24mm vs the Nikon 12-24 and there is not a lot of difference... the bad news is that these lenses are really hard to get hold of at the moment... the agency is waiting on more stock from overseas although it seems that we are a long way down the waiting list.

I have to say that the only company with its act together in the wide-angle department at the moment is Pentax ... they have made a 14mm f2.8 prime lens that has been designed specifically for the DX sized sensors. Hurry up Nikon and join them!

Tom

I have used birddogs 28/1.4 and its magic. The price is BIG though.

Antsl wrote:Some bad news... I have had a mini shoot out with the Tokina 12-24mm vs the Nikon 12-24 and there is not a lot of difference... the bad news is that these lenses are really hard to get hold of at the moment... the agency is waiting on more stock from overseas although it seems that we are a long way down the waiting list.

It's truth! I've been waiting stock of them for two weeks now!

If anyone in the Melbourne area is quick enough there is a Nikon 17-55mm f2.8 lens on offer at Camera Exchange at the moment for $1700. It is in really good condition and works a treat (I tried it out the other night although I am going to pass on buying it for the moment... I have spent too much already of late!).

Brand new is $1850.00

stubbsy wrote:Tom

I have used birddogs 28/1.4 and its magic. The price is BIG though.

Stubbsy, I just checked the specs on that lens and I want one!

Is this the beginning of lens lust? NOooooooooooo!

Tom

Tom wrote:

stubbsy wrote:Tom

I have used birddogs 28/1.4 and its magic. The price is BIG though.

Stubbsy, I just checked the specs on that lens and I want one!

Is this the beginning of lens lust? NOooooooooooo!

Tom

Tom,
If you ever step into the mini meets in Sydney or at Nelson Bay, I'll let you play with it for a day

Tom wrote:

stubbsy wrote:Tom

I have used birddogs 28/1.4 and its magic. The price is BIG though.

Stubbsy, I just checked the specs on that lens and I want one!

Is this the beginning of lens lust? NOooooooooooo!

Tom

TOm, welcome to our pain

Have you seen this post about another trip to the Stockton sand dunes?

Birddog114 wrote:

Tom wrote:

stubbsy wrote:Tom

I have used birddogs 28/1.4 and its magic. The price is BIG though.

Stubbsy, I just checked the specs on that lens and I want one!

Is this the beginning of lens lust? NOooooooooooo!

Tom

Tom,
If you ever step into the mini meets in Sydney or at Nelson Bay, I'll let you play with it for a day

Thanks Birddog, I'm looking forward to attending a mini meet. I think it will be a great way to improve my digital skills!

Stockton sounds great, Stubbsy, just not sure I can make it in August.

Tom