Fast and wide on a crop body

[rj russell]

<p>Recently a friend of mine who has been doing amazing with Panasonic P&S's had questioned me about my gear. He really wants a rebel series and nothing larger but the downfall is that his main use of a camera is for uraban exploration, he likes wide and fast. Thoroughly enjoying my sigma 10-20, he wants something similar yet faster. I recommend full frame and he laughs at the size and price... is there anything out there for a crop body?</p>

[phule]

<p>Tokina has a 11-16mm f/2.8</p>

[paul_russell1]

<p>or the canon 16-35 f2.8 L<br>

and er, thats about it.</p>

[dave_trayers]

<p>You didn't say which Panasonic he uses, but the widest Panasonic P&S is 24mm at f/2.8, and it's not a constant aperture.<br>

The 16-35 f/2.8 L on a 1.6x body would be about the same, but constant aperture.</p>

[rainer_t]

<p>-- "I recommend full frame and he laughs at the size and price."</p>

<p>Actually there is nothing wrong with your suggestion. The advent of the 5DMk2 brought the prices of the "old" 5D down quite a bit. (At least, I couldn't resist).</p>

[g dan mitchell]

<p>If the 16-35 f/2.8 belongs on this list, the EFS 17-55mm f/2.8 IS most certainly should be under consideration.</p>

[rj russell]

<p>thanks for all the recomendations... i had recommended starting with the 17-50 tamron or 17-55, then put the ultra wide on and hooked him on it! Realistically the 11-16 is the best option for that.</p>

[JDMvW]

<p>"Wide and fast" is where the trouble comes in. Probably the Tokina is the best bet, as you say.<br>

Most of the alternatives are slower lenses, if 10-12mm is what your friend wants.</p>

[nail33]

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<p >If you're looking for something that's wide, fast, and cheap, then the Zenitar 16mm 2.8 will work quite well. It is a manual focus, but that's not usually a problem with such a wide lens. The barrel distortion can be easily fixed with most photo editing programs. If your friend ever does go full-frame, it can be used as a fish-eye. This lens can be found on Ebay from around $100-200 new. Bob Atkins has a review of this lens.</p>

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