aurelio Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Hello friends, my department colleaugues and me are going to buy a Nikon D200 digital camera, to be used for architectural photography and photogrammetry. We need mounting on it a very good quality wideangle lens, aiming to very good sharpness and very low distortion, together with the widest possible angle of view. A prime lens (fixed focal) is mandatory, because we need to exactly calibrate the focal lenght of the lens for photogrammetry applications. We are not owners of Nikon reflex cameras, so we don't know well the Nikon lenses, moreover there is now that issue with 35mm vs. sensor format, which makes choosing a bit complicated ... We are thinking to the AF Nikkor 18mm f/2.8D, which would be on the digital body the equivalent of a 27-28mm on 135 film. We could also use such lens in a full format sensor camera with Nikon mount, if one will be available in the future.Do you think it would be appropriate for our purposes, or is there among Nikon lenses a better choice? Suggestions are welcome, thanks in advance Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
leslie_cheung Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 There's a 14mm also if you need wide. A less espensive way would be to get the discontinue N mount kodak Dslr and add a 20mm since you are using low iso on a tripod anyway. The kodak is going as low as $1400 now I believe. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ellis_vener_photography Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 "We are thinking to the AF Nikkor 18mm f/2.8D," excellent lens but you should also try to find the AI-S version. It might be optically better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 If you are serious about a lens for shooting architecture with a Nikon DSLR and it has to be compatible with full-frame cameras, I agree with Leslie. The 14mm (21mm in 35mm format) would be wide enough for architecture. I think you would find that even an 18mm would leave you wanting when shooting a number of architectural subjects. In Nikon's digital lenses, I would recommend the 12-24mm f/4.0 DX Nikkor. This lens would give you a 35mm format equiv. of 18-36mm. These are two images I took of my high school for a reunion website. In the first image, the top of the tower is about 40 yards above my position and I could only back up about 100 or so feet from the building because of the position of trees. Without being able to shoot at about 14mm, I wouldn't have been able to square up the shot.<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 and ...<div></div> Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 I'm sorry. I didn't make it clear that both of those images were taken with the 12-24mm DX Nikkor. I would also note that I like the 12-24mm, as it accepts pro-sized 77mm filters. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eric friedemann Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 "A prime lens (fixed focal) is mandatory, because we need to exactly calibrate the focal lenght of the lens for photogrammetry applications." Or, you could use a zoom lens and calculate its exact focal lengths racked to its widest and longest zoom settings. You'd then have a lens with two useable focal lengths for photogrammetry. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dennismk Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 I am going to try the Tokina 12-24mm lens as soon as I save the money for it. I have been very happy with there top line lenes. Its a huge savings over the Nikon. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michael_ferron1 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 Bj�rn R�rslett recommended a 20 2.8 to someone asking about a wide angle prime in a forum I was browsing. Might work well if 30mm with the crop factor is wide enough for you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cooper8168 Posted January 28, 2006 Share Posted January 28, 2006 I'm very happy with my Tokina 12-24mm. It's the only non-Nikon lens I own (other than a Lensbaby) and I notice no difference in general image or build quality vs my Nikkors. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
peter_martucci Posted January 29, 2006 Share Posted January 29, 2006 If you're definitely going the NIkon route, the 12-24 is a good lens... I have it and like it quite a bit. i can't forsee you all needing f2.8, most of the time you'll be shooting at minimum f8-11, so the fact that it's only an f4 shouldn't be an issue. However, you might want to consider the Canon EOS 5d with 24mm T&S lens. They have some good lenses that fit the bill. Good luck. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aurelio Posted January 29, 2006 Author Share Posted January 29, 2006 I thank you very much for the very useful suggestions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aurelio Posted January 31, 2006 Author Share Posted January 31, 2006 Hello friends, just ordered a D200 with 2 wideangle lenses: Nikon 14mm (equivalent of a 21mm on sensor) and 20mm (equivalent of a 30mm) I think with such lenses we can cover the 90% of wideangle architectural photography Will post photos when they will be taken ... thanks again Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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