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The Sports Photo Guy |
Wide Angle Lenses
Sigma 12-24, Nikon 28/f2.8AF, Nikon 28/f2.8AiS, Sigma 15/f2.8, Peleng 8/f3.5
Tokina DX Fish-Eye AF 10-17/f3.5~4.5
Appearing to be an adaptation of the unique Pentax 10-17 fisheye zoom, this lens was introduced at the end of 2006 in a digital-only (APS-C sensor size) version by Tokina. While it does not perform as well opitcally as prime fisheyes, it is nonetheless a useful tool and gives unique capabilities. I have conducted a number of informal tests of this lens: general optical qualities, comparison to the Sigma 15mm fisheye, comparison to the Sigma 12-24mm, and fisheye-to-rectilinear conversion.
Sigma 12-24mm/F4.5-5.6 EX ASPHERICAL HSM
This is one phenomenal optic, the only unltrawide zoom for full-frame cameras. What it lacks in critical sharpness it makes up for with its relative lack of distortion and amazing field of view. Stopped down to f8 or f11, it can produce stunning enlargements. Sometimes, it is the only lens that will do. On the Nikon DSLRs, it's a nice 18-35 equivalent that can be a useful walkaround lens, particularly for street photography.
Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AF Nikkor
Garden-variety wide angle lens. Part of my knock-around collection for use when I'm concerned about equipment damage or theft. Not the same optical quality as the manual version.
Nikon 28mm f/2.8 AiS Nikkor
One of the sharpest wide-angle lenses I have ever used, this (and only this) version incorporates Nikon's Close-Range Correction (CRC), which maintains incredible sharpness at close focusing distances. Sadly now discontinued, this is a good walkaround lens for film-based street photography.
Sigma 15mm F2.8 EX DIAGONAL Fisheye
Until the 12-24 came along, this fisheye was the best way to get a wide field of view on a Nikon DSLR. Of course, distortion is a problem, but it can be easily corrected (though you lose a bit of the frame) with PTLens. I've compared its performance to the Tokina 10-17 zoom lens here.
Peleng 8/f3.5 Circular Fisheye
The finest in consumer optics from the former Soviet Union, this ubiquitous Belarusian import is a relatively cheap way to achieve the circular fisheye effect. Its image circle is clipped slightly by a 35mm frame top and bottom, and vignettes heavily on a DSLR. It uses a preset aperture system which I have found grossly underexposes by about two stops. Some day I suppose I will break down and spend $500-$600 for the Sigma circular fisheye, but for now this can be fun.
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