wide lens for d80

[jonsjons]

Still looking for a wide lens to go with my upcoming purchase of a Nikon d80.

I have a decent 35-80mm nikkor and a sigma 70-300mm that probably won?t see

much use. I am trying to find something affordable that will beat the 18-55mm

kit lens.

 

 

For roughly $300 I can choose between the Nikon 18-70mm f/3.5-4.5, sigma 15-

30mm f/3.5-4.5 DG, and tamron 17-35 f/2.8-4. the Nikon 18-35mm AF-D ED lens

seems to be more highly recommended, but also more expensive. Someone on this

forum claims they?re available for $300, but I haven?t found a price that low.

 

All of these lenses seem to be ?middle of the road? performers. Anyone have

any experience with these lenses, links to check out, or insight as to how

they will compare? The long end of the zoom range doesn?t matter much to me,

but wider is definitely better. Full-frame compatibility is also nice, but

not all that important. i'll probably want to upgrade lenses by the time nikon

puts out a ff dslr...if it ever does.

 

thanks.

[conrad_hoffman]

IMHO, the perfect zoom combo would be the Nikon 18-70 plus the Sigma 10-20. (Or similar Tamron or Tokina)

[robertin_m]

I really recommend the sigma 15-30. I bought it about a month ago from sigma4less.com for 380. Great deal. The lens is sharp, and the widest of your choices.

 

However, it comes with a built in hood, which prevents it from being able to use a filter. It does accept gelatin filters in the rear. Another draw back of the lens is that it flares easily.

 

It also comes in a nice EX case.

 

And - for full frame - it has a film size image circle.

[photo5]

Tokina 12-24mm.

 

Dave

[juan_parm_nides]

I would recommend the Nikkor 18-70 DX plus the Sigma 10-20 HSM EX. All of us know the 18-70 performances, but I can tell the Sigma 10-20 is a nice lens for his price, sharp and fast focus, it surprised to me. Well, I am saying more or less the same thing that Conrad. Cheers.

[w._ditto__iii]

Jonathan, I have a 18-35 Nikkor for 260, and I pay postage in U.S.; it is mint and used very little and FF....

thanks