wide angle lenses for D70

[rondarlington]

Hello fellow "shooters".
Can anyone tell me the main differance between a SIGMA,NIKON,TOKINA 12-24mm.
They are worlds away in price.
I have a D70 and want a really good AF wide angle lense.
Has anyone made a comparison on these?
Look forward to your reply. Thanks guys Ron

[Sheetshooter]

Ron,

Most of the 12-24s I see sold here in Sydney are the Sigma. I have not tried one myself but I am assured that the optical performance is excellent and possibly better at the wide end than the Nikkor.

Cheers,

[birddog114]

Hi Ron,
Most of the AF Wide Angle which members ordered from me or HKS are the Nikkor 12-24Dx and I have one too! and be happy with all landscape or architecture photos.

The quality of photo at the wide end between Sigma and Nikkor are most the same, could not tell the difference. They produce brilliant colours.
Members posted lot of pics of these two lenses after the night workshops.
Both side are happy owners.

Nikkor 12-24Dx is similar size with your Nikkor 18-70, and Sigma 12-24 is 2.1/2 times bigger with the front glass look like bubble, and Nikkor is lighter than Sigma.

Nikkor 12-24Dx can be used with all type of front 77mm filters.
Sigma 12-24, can be used the gel filter in the rear section of the lens, though someone in this forum tried the 82mm filter on its lens hood, but I never seen, so no comment.

Nikkor 12-24Dx can be only used with DSLR
Sigma 12-24 can be used in both DSLR and SLR

Only "Mr Tokina", one of our members has the Tokina 12-24 but I haven't try it so no comment.

[birddog114]

Ron,

Most of the 12-24s I see sold here in Sydney are the Sigma. I have not tried one myself but I am assured that the optical performance is excellent and possibly better at the wide end than the Nikkor.

Cheers,

If you can come to the meets or mini meet, you will see owner of 12-24Dx is outnumbered of Sigma 12-24. Ratio is 5:1.

[fozzie]

Ron,

This post was taken from Nikonians on the Tokina 12-24 for your information.

[MCWB]

IMO the Tokina is an outstanding buy for the money. I'm only going off a couple of test shots at f/11 with Wai's lens on the weekend, but it seems pretty nice, sharp even at the edges at 12 mm. Looks like it distorts slightly more than the Sigma, and I'm guessing less than the Nikon, plus it takes 77 mm filters.

Here's my take, weigh up the factors that are important for you!

Nikkor:
+ takes front-mount filters
- worst distortion @ 12 mm
- DX only

Sigma:
+ full-frame capable
+ least distortion @ 12 mm
- no front-mount filters

Tokina
+ takes front-mount filters
+ acceptable distortion @ 12 mm
- DX only

I have the Sigma; were I buying it now I'd seriously consider the Tokina.

[rondarlington]

Thankyou for all your information guys...I like the look and price of the tokina MCWB...thanks for your imput.
Birddog, can i buy a nikon polo shirt from you?
Cheers
Ron

[sirhc55]

Ron - Sigma user here and could not be happier - I would doubt that anyone on this forum could correctly identify which W/A lens was used unless they knew the owner

[Killakoala]

Don't forget the Sigma 10-20mm F4-5.6 coming soon too. It's an unknown quantity at this stage but i am sure there will be some reviews and examples soon.

I could have used 10mm yesterday for a landscape.

Of course the other 3 lenses are constant F4 and the 10-20 is variable to F5.6, but i figure that if you buy a wide angle lens that wide, then you will mostly use it between 10-15mm at F4 anyway. IMHO.

[Glen]

Miniscule correction, the Sigma 12-24 is f4.5 -5.6.

[Antsl]

Hi all,

I made a few test shots with the Tokina 12-24mm the other day in a rather quick side by side comparison with the Nikon 12-24 and what I saw was enough for me to order the Tokina immediately. I think it is getting delivered tomorrow although the sad news for anyone else wanting one is that there are hardly any available in the stores at the moment and the importer (Ricoh) are unsure when they are getting their next shipment ... per usual the larger markets are getting stock before Australia.

As for results from the Tokina, there was not much distortion within the range and edge sharpness was good at all apertures. There was some softness at f4 however this disappeared at the smaller apertures. A little unsharp masking was enough to bring the f4 images back up to the same snap of the f8 images.

Worth remembering is that the Nikon and the Tokina lense are f4 through the range and they are also designed specifically for the smaller format D-SLR cameras... by comparison the Sigma 12-24mm lens is designed to be used on 35mm full-frame cameras in addition as well as digital (hence the reason it is so big! I am about to do a more thorough test over the next week (lenses will include the Nikon 12-24, Canon 10-22, Tokina 12-24, Sigma 12-24, Sigma 15-30 and a couple of others) and so I will keep you posted on my findings!

[MCWB]

but i figure that if you buy a wide angle lens that wide, then you will mostly use it between 10-15mm at F4 anyway. IMHO.

Don't know if that's a typo or not Steve, but when wide open, most WA lenses vignette to some extent and exhibit more edge softness; stopping down usually improves matters. You've got the zoom range right though, I mostly shoot my Sigma at 12-15 mm f/8-11. I know Wai does similarly with respect to aperture on his Tokina.

[birddog114]

Right now, the Nikkor 12-24Dx is in shortage, I have back-order of 3 lenses since last coupa weeks.
IMHO, the Nikkor 12-24Dx is most suitable for my uses, it all depends all what user/ photogs wants to achieve and can afford, of course its premium is more than the Sigma.

We had this discussion few times of these lenses before.

[Oneputt]

I am an owner of the Sigma and can endorse what Birddog has said about it. It is quite a big and heavy lens and the lens is very convex, it does however produce very fine images. At the price it is an excellent buy.

[Gray]

Good Questions,
although I am no expert on lenes and photography, I have been reading reviews in regards to the the three above lenes, and since I am a amature photographer I'd think I'll be purchasing the lens that is cheaper at the time...

[owen]

Hi Guys

How much difference in sharpness can be found between either the sigma or nikon lens, and the nikon kit lens 18-70? I'm just finding the kit lens to be a little soft lately.

Cheers,
Owen.

[birddog114]

Hi Guys

How much difference in sharpness can be found between either the sigma or nikon lens, and the nikon kit lens 18-70? I'm just finding the kit lens to be a little soft lately.

Cheers,
Owen.

Owen,
No ones has this combination (Sigma 12-24 + Nikkor 12-24 + 18-70Dx).

[wendellt]

Due to internal focusing the front element(filter attachment) on the Nikon 12-24DX does not rotate during focusing. so if you use a Circular Polarizer filter the Nikon is the best choice. If a CP filter rotates the effect of the filter changes.

[stubbsy]

Due to internal focusing the front element(filter attachment) on the Nikon 12-24DX does not rotate during focusing. so if you use a Circular Polarizer filter the Nikon is the best choice. If a CP filter rotates the effect of the filter changes.

Further the Sigma 12-24 can't even take a front mounted CP because the glass bulges out at the front.

Ignoring that though both these lenses have similar charcteristics when it comes to sharpness based on the images I've seen here.

[Glen]

I agree with Stubbsy, I doubt anyone could pick either from a post

[birddog114]

I agree with Stubbsy, I doubt anyone could pick either from a post

So Sigma + Nikkor are in one same family and live in peace!!!!!
There're also brothers and sisters

[owen]

So is it worth the $500 odd in order to have the ability of a front mounted filter?

[birddog114]

So is it worth the $500 odd in order to have the ability of a front mounted filter?

Yes, it's + it's with the Nikkor's badge

[Sheetshooter]

Owen,

Assuming (I know, I know - NEVER assume), but assuming that this lens is for use on a DSLR, just what filter do you need to use?

[owen]

The only filter I'd use is a polariser. I like being able to take the reflection off water surfaces.

[birddog114]

Owen,

Assuming (I know, I know - NEVER assume), but assuming that this lens is for use on a DSLR, just what filter do you need to use?

Mostly UV and CPL

[Glen]

Owen, here is a Sigma 12-24 shot

[owen]

Looks nice and sharp Glen. Is the full size version as sharp as I'm guessing this was sharpened after resizing it for the web.

Thanks.
Owen.

[Glen]

Owen, comes out sharp much the same as any other lens. I shoot with sharpening set at -2 (the lowest) so regularly use sharpening afterwards. At A3+ the image seems perfect

[Sheetshooter]

Owen,

A word of caution - the use of Polarising foils on any very wide angle lenses is problematic due to the fact that the angle of refraction varies so greatlky across the field of view that the 'polarised' area can at times be seen as something like a darker bar through the image.

As for UV filters - well I have and use over 20 lenses for various formats and systems and not a single lens has ever had or needed a UV filter on it. Perhaps if I were operating in a hazardous area where air-borne chemicals could attack the glass I might consider something protective but I feel my bronchia would play up beofre the lens got damaged.

[stubbsy]

So is it worth the $500 odd in order to have the ability of a front mounted filter?

Owen I have a Nikkor - for me the decision to buy it over the Sigma came down to two things - front mounted CP filter and the lighter weight of the Nikkor.

Here is a recent pic taken at 12mm with a CP on said beast (click the pic to see larger at 1000 x646):

[big pix]

So is it worth the $500 odd in order to have the ability of a front mounted filter?

Owen I have a Nikkor - for me the decision to buy it over the Sigma came down to two things - front mounted CP filter and the lighter weight of the Nikkor.

Here is a recent pic taken at 12mm with a CP on said beast (click the pic to see larger at 1000 x646):

Is that horizion straight or did the Earth tilt with the glass of red......

[owen]

So is it worth the $500 odd in order to have the ability of a front mounted filter?

Owen I have a Nikkor - for me the decision to buy it over the Sigma came down to two things - front mounted CP filter and the lighter weight of the Nikkor.

Here is a recent pic taken at 12mm with a CP on said beast (click the pic to see larger at 1000 x646):

Thanks Stubbsy.

I guess weight is another issue that I hadn't thought about. Did you get a CPL from Birdie? Do you need a slimline one because of the wide angle lens?

[birddog114]

owen,
Stubbsy used the ordinary 77mm Hoya CPL on all these shots.

[gstark]

Is that horizion straight or did the Earth tilt with the glass of red......

With the water shortage in Sydney, they've decided to tilt the country by a few degrees so that the excess water from the wet season in the north runs down to Sydney. That's what you're seeing in that image.

[birddog114]

Is that horizion straight or did the Earth tilt with the glass of red......

With the water shortage in Sydney, they've decided to tilt the country by a few degrees so that the excess water from the wet season in the north runs down to Sydney. That's what you're seeing in that image.

Actually, they tried to do that way so we will get the salt water into the inland and desalinate them.

[robboh]

Here is a recent pic taken at 12mm with a CP on said beast (click the pic to see larger at 1000 x646):

Nice pic Stubbsy. Quick off-topic question for you. What 'position' were you in whilst taking this pic?? Were you standing, or crouched right close to the ground, or what??

cheers
Rob.

[stubbsy]

Here is a recent pic taken at 12mm with a CP on said beast (click the pic to see larger at 1000 x646):

Nice pic Stubbsy. Quick off-topic question for you. What 'position' were you in whilst taking this pic?? Were you standing, or crouched right close to the ground, or what??

cheers
Rob.

INteresting and relevant question. I was sitting on the sand to get a lower perspective and so accentuate the foregound since I think that made for a more spectacular shot.

[big pix]

......ahhhh.......a sand sit in......

[robboh]

Here is a recent pic taken at 12mm with a CP on said beast (click the pic to see larger at 1000 x646):

Nice pic Stubbsy. Quick off-topic question for you. What 'position' were you in whilst taking this pic?? Were you standing, or crouched right close to the ground, or what??

cheers
Rob.

INteresting and relevant question. I was sitting on the sand to get a lower perspective and so accentuate the foregound since I think that made for a more spectacular shot.

Thanks. I'd wondered how you had done it. Ive tried tilting the camera down whilst standing, but it just looks funny. So had wondered if you were down low, which you were.

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[stubbsy]

Due to internal focusing the front element(filter attachment) on the Nikon 12-24DX does not rotate during focusing. so if you use a Circular Polarizer filter the Nikon is the best choice. If a CP filter rotates the effect of the filter changes.

Same applies to the Tokina ATX124 12-24mm;

"Non-rotating 77mm filter threads mean special effect filters will not change when the lens’ focus is changed."

Good point Adam. It's all too easy to focus on the Sigma vs Nikon debate and miss the rest of the field (hey, there are other cola's than Pepsi & Coke aren't there )

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[stubbsy]

I was very keen on getting a Nikkor 12-24, but since researching comments both here and on DPReview, I'll be buying the Tokina instead.

From what I can gather, the Tokina performance and build quality is just as good as the more expensive Nikkor, and is better value for money.
Die-hard Nikonians may disagree of course!

I just need to find a supplier now, preferably in Brisbane, but anywhere in Australia will do.

Adam
I'm a die hard Nikkor man, but I'm always open to convincing. I'd really be interested in your observations when you get the Tokina since I've never touched one!

[DVEous]

... Obsolete ...

[birddog114]

FYI

Thanks to "radar" who put me onto Madsen's website in another unrelated topic.

I noticed they stock Tokina lenses, but the 12-24 was missing off their list. I enquired with Madsens tonight about obtaining a Tokina AT-X 12-24 mm, the reply was;

"This lens is expected early Sept. Price to be announced."

Too new to be widely available?

Actually, we have "Mr Tokina" on this board and he got his Tokina 12-24 with Nikon mount about 2 months ago, he's now on holiday, I think in South America.