Wide angle – Sigma or Tamron?

[fishjam45]

July 12, 2009 at 11:59 am

Hi all!

I need some help in deciding which new lens to purchase.

I’m looking at the Sigma 10-20mm 10-20 F4-5.6, TAMRON SP AF 10-24mm f3.5-4.5 and the TOKINA 12-24mm F4 and cannot decide which to buy.

In short, I’m looking for a good quality wide angle lens thats not gonna break the bank. I’m leaning towards the tamron at the moment but still not fully convinced. I use a Nikon D80 and D40.

Any help with regards to this would be greatly appreciated :)

[Martin]

July 12, 2009 at 3:06 pm

The Sigma or Tokina would be my choices.

If build quality is what your after get the Tokina
If the extra 2mm of wide angle is more important go for the Sigma

I generally stay away from Tamron, build quality is normally not the greatest, optics seem a bit hit and miss also sometimes….

A review of the Tamron is here
http://www.kenrockwell.com/tamron/10-24mm.htm
http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tamron_10-24_3p5-5p6_n15

M

[Sheldon]

July 13, 2009 at 5:00 pm

As we stock Tokina you should give us a ring as there is something you should know! :wink:

[KWBarbs]

July 13, 2009 at 5:27 pm

I had the exact same dilemna from a Canon perspective and ended up with the Tokina 12-24.
See this thread.

I was out at the weekend with my brother – both using a 40d and both with the same settings, mine with the Tokina 12-24 and his with the Sigma 10-20. We tried to compare shots to try and get a true comparison between them, but to be honest there was next to nothing in it. If I get a chance I will get him to post one of his and I will do likewise so you can compare the shots yourself.

But at the right price I would get either, that is unless the small mm difference is important to you. It wasn’t to me as I was previously using 17mm as my widest lens. Both are extremely good value for money and very well built. So far I am very happy with the Tokina.

HTH.
Kieran.

[fishjam45]

July 14, 2009 at 9:34 pm

Sheldon wrote:

As we stock Tokina you should give us a ring as there is something you should know! :wink:

And what is it that I should know? :)

leaning towards the siggy from adorama.com . . .

[fishjam45]

July 14, 2009 at 9:35 pm

KWBarbs wrote:

I had the exact same dilemna from a Canon perspective and ended up with the Tokina 12-24.
See this thread.

Kieran.

cheers, gonna have a look now . . .

[fishjam45]

July 17, 2009 at 6:53 pm

I ended up buying the Sigma 10-20mm from Adorama in America, much cheaper than anywhere else in the world . . . dying to get started with it now . . .