Wide Angle Lens
#16
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: FL
Programs: AA
Posts: 207
Yes, I'm using a f4-5.6 and here's some samples:
Just to give you an idea as to how wide 10mm is, I was pointing the camera towards the area near the lamp post.
And I also have some more sample shots here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16147315-post20.html
Just to give you an idea as to how wide 10mm is, I was pointing the camera towards the area near the lamp post.
And I also have some more sample shots here:
http://www.flyertalk.com/forum/16147315-post20.html
#17
Join Date: Sep 2003
Location: PVG
Programs: UA 1K
Posts: 240
The characteristics of an ultra-wide actually make is less beneficial for everyday use, you need to want to use it in the specialized situations that it's suited for, typically landscape/architecture/cityscape/etc, rarely people, sports, events, etc. Below is a recent shot with a 10mm lens, typical of an ultra-wide shot, something very close as an anchor and a wide, sweeping background. (Death Valley, sliding rocks on the Racetrack Playa)
But your post inspires me to try it out again and using different techniques to compose a better picture.
#18
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A good example is the photo of folks at the shoreline above - I bet the 3 folks mid-frame aren't more than 15 feet from the camera (if at 10mm) but are tiny in the image.
It definitely calls for a different mind-view when composing an image and thinking about how to use the lens.
It definitely calls for a different mind-view when composing an image and thinking about how to use the lens.
#19
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: FL
Programs: AA
Posts: 207
A good example is the photo of folks at the shoreline above - I bet the 3 folks mid-frame aren't more than 15 feet from the camera (if at 10mm) but are tiny in the image.
It definitely calls for a different mind-view when composing an image and thinking about how to use the lens.
It definitely calls for a different mind-view when composing an image and thinking about how to use the lens.
Some things are done on purpose...You can break the rules if you want to. You can say it's a bad example if my subjects were the 3 people on the shoreline...But they weren't.
IMO, my edges are clean and the fort coming from the bottom left leads your eyes towards the horizon. The rule of thirds was utilized and not only that it captures the scene as I was experiencing it.
Last edited by arvin charles; May 3, 2011 at 1:41 pm
#20
Join Date: Dec 2005
Location: Finland
Programs: Almost anything with six to twelve steps...
Posts: 1,033
It is certainly true that UVW lenses require practise and some compositional thought but they give a lot of options that are just not available with other lenses. Some situations where they are very good:
* Showing depth
* Emphasizing perspective and difference in size
* Emphasizing motion
* Working in cramped spaces
Below are some examples from a recent trip to Hanoi. I am not saying that the shots are necessarily very good but they work in the sense that they would not have been possible with other lenses and they also show what I intended to show (all shot with a Nikon D300 and Nikon 12-24 mm at 12 mm; making the effective focal length 18 mm):
One Night in Hanoi by monojussi, on Flickr
Dinner Time by monojussi, on Flickr
Say Hi to Uncle Ho by monojussi, on Flickr
The House on the Corner by monojussi, on Flickr
I have made it a habit to walk around with just one lens with me. A full day in Hanoi with the 12-24 mm lens (at 12 mm most of the time) forced me to think about the composition and story telling in the images and IMHO helped me take better photos.
Cheers,
T.
* Showing depth
* Emphasizing perspective and difference in size
* Emphasizing motion
* Working in cramped spaces
Below are some examples from a recent trip to Hanoi. I am not saying that the shots are necessarily very good but they work in the sense that they would not have been possible with other lenses and they also show what I intended to show (all shot with a Nikon D300 and Nikon 12-24 mm at 12 mm; making the effective focal length 18 mm):
One Night in Hanoi by monojussi, on Flickr
Dinner Time by monojussi, on Flickr
Say Hi to Uncle Ho by monojussi, on Flickr
The House on the Corner by monojussi, on Flickr
I have made it a habit to walk around with just one lens with me. A full day in Hanoi with the 12-24 mm lens (at 12 mm most of the time) forced me to think about the composition and story telling in the images and IMHO helped me take better photos.
Cheers,
T.
#21
Join Date: Mar 2007
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Posts: 6,282
Currently using a Nikon D3100 (great camera, btw), and have been thinking about purchasing a wide-angle lens. Can anybody recommend something that would work well for landscape, city scenes, etc? I've seen a few lenses on B&H, but would like to see what my fellow FTers are using..
For when 16mm is not wide enough I also carry the Sigma 10-20mm. It's not as sharp as the Nikon 12-24 or 10-24 lenses but it's good enough and less than half the price.
The 10-20 was the first lens I bought after the 18-55 kit lens that came with the camera. I used to swap between those two lenses frequently. When I upgraded from the 18-55 to the 16-85 I found that I needed the 10-20 a lot less frequently. Simply put, the difference between 16mm and 18mm is huge for me. I shoot a large number of shots in that range.
#22
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If you prefer, I can use my Death Valley shot above - the middle of the frame (looking top to bottom) is probably about 3 feet away and the black hills at the top left are probably 50 feet way.
I save my photo critiques/commentary for Photosig.
#23
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Thanks to everybody for their suggestions! I decided to go with the Sigma 10-20mm, and it seems like it will be a great lens. Very excited to use it in Hawaii, next Friday ^
#24
Join Date: Sep 2010
Location: FL
Programs: AA
Posts: 207
Apologies if you somehow were offended by this. I was simply pointing out to the OP, who I assume does not understand the unique characteristics of a UWA, the effect that this type of lens has. Unless you have experience with it, it's unlikely you would guess the dimensions being shown.
Here's some examples I shot last weekend.
13mm, 5 sec exposure, f5.6
11.5mm, f4.2
10mm, f4.0
14mm, f4.8
13mm, f4.5
Just to compare with a normal lens, here's one taken at 25mm:
#25
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I'll post some pictures from it when I get a free moment to dig through the drives. My overall impression is 8/10. Only downside is that there is no manual focus switch..
#26
Join Date: Jun 2008
Location: NYC
Posts: 211
I've owned the Sigma 10-20 4-5.6 model for about 2 years now with my D80, and I definitely use it a lot while traveling. I really really like the distorted, expansive skies in shots. On the other hand, the distortion of lines and people can sometimes be annoying. I'll maybe post some shots later and some online guides.
#30
Moderator: American AAdvantage
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Wide angles rock - and I really like your approach on the Ubehebe Racetrack!
Assuming you have the standard 18mm lens, I'd suggest that's wide enough for typical use. If you already have something like an 18-55 and a 55-250, covering wide to fairly long, then an ultra-wide would be a candidate for a 3rd lens (along with a >300mm tele or a fast (f/1.8) prime lens.), but it's really optional...