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Originally Posted by pdxer
(Post 11298667)
actually they make quite a few lenses that work just fine (far more than just two), and they aren't lousy at all.
18-55mm, 18-55mm VR, 18-70mm, 18-105mm VR, 18-135mm, 16-85mm VR (the best of a sorry bunch at 18mm), and 18-200mm VR (more expensive, but still has the aforementioned problem in abundance). I can't seem to find any other Nikon AF-S zooms besides these that can be bought for under about $800, and none of those above pass muster for delivering straight, undistorted lines at 18mm. The only Nikkors that do are the 12-24, the 18-35 non-AF-s, the 17-35mm f2.8, and the 17-55mm f2.8, and only the non-AF-s 18-35mm is within the budgets of many D40/D60 owners - but, again, with no autofocus on those cameras. If, on the other hand, you feel that any or all of the lenses I listed in the first group above are perfectly good at 18mm, then we'll simply need to agree that you're a lot less critical about your wide angles than I am. Because they all suffer badly from linear distortion at 18mm. I need a wide angle that renders straight lines as straight, not as arcs. |
Originally Posted by D1andonlyDman
(Post 11298875)
Well, please let me know which ones you mean, because all of the following have serious barrel distortion issues at 18mm:
18-55mm, 18-55mm VR, 18-70mm, 18-105mm VR, 18-135mm, 16-85mm VR (the best of a sorry bunch at 18mm), and 18-200mm VR (more expensive, but still has the aforementioned problem in abundance). I can't seem to find any other Nikon AF-S zooms besides these that can be bought for under about $800, and none of those above pass muster for delivering straight, undistorted lines at 18mm. The only Nikkors that do are the 12-24, the 18-35 non-AF-s, the 17-35mm f2.8, and the 17-55mm f2.8, and only the non-AF-s 18-35mm is within the budgets of many D40/D60 owners - but, again, with no autofocus on those cameras. If, on the other hand, you feel that any or all of the lenses I listed in the first group above are perfectly good at 18mm, then we'll simply need to agree that you're a lot less critical about your wide angles than I am. Because they all suffer badly from linear distortion at 18mm. I need a wide angle that renders straight lines as straight, not as arcs. Barrel distortion is an as-of-yet unavoidable problem with extreme wide-angle lenses, particularly wide-angle zooms. Even my $1700 14-24 f/2.8 [which is currently the best lens of it’s kind regardless of brand] has some distortion at 14-16mm. The Nikkor 12-24 at 12mm has mustache or complex distortion which is very difficult to correct. From about 15-18 it has simple barrel distortion which is easy to correct but there none-the-less. The truth is that in absolute terms that lens really doesn't shine until about 20-24 and, IMHO is significantly over-priced for a lens with consumer-grade build and an f/4 maximum aperture. The 18-35 is another mediocre lens that also has visable barrel distortion in the 18-22mm range and it is woefully soft in the corners until f/8, it also flares like a SOB and has problems with chromatic aberations [color fringing] to boot. |
Originally Posted by anrkitec
(Post 11299048)
Neither the 12-24 nor the 18-35 render "straight lines" at 18mm. They both have visible distortion.
Barrel distortion is an as-of-yet unavoidable problem with extreme wide-angle lenses, particularly wide-angle zooms. Even my $1700 14-24 f/2.8 [which is currently the best lens of it’s kind regardless of brand] has some distortion at 14-16mm. The Nikkor 12-24 at 12mm has mustache or complex distortion which is very difficult to correct. From about 15-18 it has simple barrel distortion which is easy to correct but there none-the-less. The truth is that in absolute terms that lens really doesn't shine until about 20-24 and, IMHO is significantly over-priced for a lens with consumer-grade build and an f/4 maximum aperture.
Originally Posted by anrkitec
(Post 11299048)
The 18-35 is another mediocre lens that also has visable barrel distortion in the 18-22mm range and it is woefully soft in the corners until f/8, it also flares like a SOB and has problems with chromatic aberations [color fringing] to boot.
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Originally Posted by D1andonlyDman
(Post 11297682)
How many of those lenses other than the kit lenses cost under $400? I would guess none. ...
So I don't know why you keep on saying they cost over $1000. You might have done a good job looking for primes. Other people have done good jobs looking for AF-S'. I am in Tokyo this week. I will browse camera shops when I have time. |
Originally Posted by SJUAMMF
(Post 11305320)
I am in Tokyo this week. I will browse camera shops when I have time.
http://www.photoness.de/yodo_analog/ |
Yes, also BIC Camera in Yurakucho. I will be near the Yodobashi store on Saturday.
The Softmap stores at Akihabara has a used equipment department that has good deals sometimes. For instance, I got our D40x body cheap when the D60 came out. Used equipment are warranted for 30 days and any missing items are noted on the tag. I got a Canon 35-105mm FD one ring for $10 in Nipponbashi in Osaka last trip. Yen at Y89/US$ hurt to some extend. |
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