HELP!! Canon Lens: Wide... Ultra Wide? I need a wide angle lens but am overwhelmed by the amount of [somewhat conflicting] information out there. I'm a novice; is the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens too much for me? I almost got a fish-eye lens but I'm sure a wide-angle would be more versatile. PLEASE HELP! :) HELP!! Canon Lens: Wide... Ultra Wide? I need a wide angle lens but am overwhelmed by the amount of [somewhat conflicting] information out there. I'm a novice; is the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM... » Read More HELP!! Canon Lens: Wide... Ultra Wide? I need a wide angle lens but am overwhelmed by the amount of [somewhat conflicting] information out there. I'm a novice; is the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM Ultra Wide Angle Zoom Lens too much for me? I almost got a fish-eye lens but I'm sure a wide-angle would be more versatile. PLEASE HELP! :) « Show Less
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Michael,Thank you for the great post. I'm also going to use the info you provided.Becky
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First, what camera are you shooting with and what lens(s) do you have already? Second, you said you need a wide angle lens. What kind of pictures are you planning to take? Let's go from here.Michael
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jessiegirl - Glad to help. You're right though, there is a ton of info out there and some of it is definitely confusing especially for someone starting out. I don't know if you are posting any of your pictures on-line, but if you are and are so inclined, let me know. I am always interested in seeing other work. Happy clicking!
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Hi Michael! I have a Canon T1i. So far, I have the standard lens that comes with the camera, a marco and 300 mm telephoto. I've done some portraits that turned out great, but I'd love to do more wide open spaces/landscapes.
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Michael - Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! I just educated myself on the 10-22 mm and decided that is the lens for me! Now to save up... :)
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I have had both lenses and with a crop sensor I like the 10-22mm better than this one even though it's not L glass. I used to shoot a lot of events and nightlife and wanted that ultra wide look without going completely fisheye and the 10-22 is perfect for that. With a crop sensor the 17-40 won't look as wide as if you had it on a full frame camera. Again it just depends what you are trying to accomplish with the lens but if I had to do it all over again and had another crop sensor cam I would buy the 10-22mm without questioning it. I only traded in my 10-22mm for the 17-40mm when I sold my 7D and got a 5D MKIII. I have had both lenses and with a crop sensor I like the 10-22mm better than this one even though it's not L glass. I used to shoot a lot of events and nightlife and wanted that ultra wide look without going completely fisheye and the 10-22 is perfect for that. With a crop sensor the 17-40 won't look as wide as if you had it on a full frame camera. Again it just depends what you are trying to accomplish with the lens but if I had to do it all over again and had another crop sensor cam I would buy the 10-22mm without questioning it. I only traded in my 10-22mm for the 17-40mm when I sold my... » Read More I have had both lenses and with a crop sensor I like the 10-22mm better than this one even though it's not L glass. I used to shoot a lot of events and nightlife and wanted that ultra wide look without going completely fisheye and the 10-22 is perfect for that. With a crop sensor the 17-40 won't look as wide as if you had it on a full frame camera. Again it just depends what you are trying to accomplish with the lens but if I had to do it all over again and had another crop sensor cam I would buy the 10-22mm without questioning it. I only traded in my 10-22mm for the 17-40mm when I sold my 7D and got a 5D MKIII. « Show Less
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My thought is the 18-200mm lens for this camera. It is the lens I have, and wanted. I know it's physically bigger than the 18-135, but it does alot more, with that extra zoom. (11x vs 7.5x) The 18mm is equiv to a 27mm wide angle lens in 35mm film specs. The 200 gives it the 11x zoom function. A very versital and desirable lens.
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Like any tool, it depends on what you want to use it for. This is probably the best lens out there for wide angle, night sky photography (although the 35mm 1.4 is very good too), and will be good for a wide variety of applications. Either one will do well in low light, but since I usually take photos of people, I have a preference for the 35mm. Either lens, when used in bright light, loses a lot of their advantages unless you intentionally place your camera in aperture priority mode and keep shooting in wide apertures.
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Wow, quite a question. You really need to ask your self what you will be shooting most of the time. One review wanted to take pictures of her baby, most of the time. Another may like scienery and travel. You really need to narrow your preferences. You could get this lens for a general all around lens, however there are many trade offs to consider. Generaly this wide zoom range will have issues with anything printed larger than 4x6 inches. Some may argue that point and say 8x10 to still have an acceptible image. Are you involved with other photo people to evaluate your images? Do you use photoshop to adjust your images? If so this lens will be a compromise in most cases. Two lenses with overlaping zoom ranges say 18-70mm and 70-200mm would be ideal. However I would recommend the Canon 28-135mm f 3.5 IS, it depends on your budget. You may want an image stabilized lens which this lens is. Check the reviews, also www.Photozone.de for excellent lens reviews. Good luck.
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I have the canon 17-85mm lens and it works great. You could also get the 40mm pancake or if you have a bit more of a buget, get the 24-105 mm canon lens, it is a sweet lens with a sharp image.
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This lens goes from 14mm (wide angle) to 150mm. The lens you are comparing it to starts at 40mm (80mm equiv) so does not let you get the wider angle shots. My 14-150mm lens is my favorite on my Olympus E-M1 -- even though I also have the Olympus Pro 12-40mm at twice the price. I love the versatility.
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No, you would have to look else for wide lens. This one is perfect but more for portrait, details and lifestyle.
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The 24-105mm isn't very wide for a walk-around lens. I'm more inclined to recommend the 15-85mm IS USM for its very nice optics, extra wide angle view and overall versatility.The EF-S 17-55mm f2.8 is an excellent zoom that is particularly useful in low light. It doesn't offer the range of the 24-105 or 15-85 but you won't find a better standard zoom for a Canon crop camera.
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I go back long enough to have the oldtimer's view to this answer. Yes, a 28mm (equivalent to 35mm film cams) IS a "wide angle", not ultra-wide, but wider than "normal", which I've always considered 50mm. 24mm would be better, but its 28mm ":^) The real question is, "Can you live with a 28mm & 5x that (140mm)?" Do some research and see. dpreview.com
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Depends on what you want to use for. As the wide angle lens is an extra, you can always switch between them. For biking i would recommend the wide angle lens though.
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It all depends on what shots you are wanting to get. If you want clear wide-angle shots of sports then this lens is for you. However, the drawback is you can't get in very close (hence 16mm). If you are wanting more close-up isolated shots of your subject, a telephoto zoom with a large aperture would be preferable. With this lens, you would only have the option of wide-angle shots at 16mm.
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I have been using the 24-70 2.8 for a while now on my 7D and I find that the range is not optimal for outdoors. I can get some great shots at 70 mm, but at 24 mm the shots just are not wide enough - close but not there. Upgrading (or downgrading) to the 17-55 2.8 IS USM this week. I think it will be a way better lens for a cropped sensor camera. It will allow me to get some landscape shots that I was just not able to achieve with the 24-70.Side note: tried the 24-70 2.8 on my friend's 5D MII and it was awesome - It would be my lens of choice if I had a full frame camera.
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if you want bokeh, then a wide angle- lens such as this is not the lens to choose. This is a good lens if you want something wider than a 35mm but that will not distort. I chose it because i needed to shoot interiors and buildings. For excellent bokeh, you could use a Leica 25mm.
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This is not a wide angle lens. This is a micro lens meaning it is for up close photography. Google "wide angle" lens and u will find many helpful websites.
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I had an EPL2, the II kit lens and the wide angle lens, which twisted on for the right fit. My suggestion is to buy the II because the wide angle is that good, inexpensive and sure is useful. What to do the I lens? either keep it, give it away or sell it.
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It depends on what you want to do. If you are mostly into landscape or sunsets then no you probably want to get a wide lens. I would suggest getting either the 24-70 f/2.8 or 24-105 f/4.0 L lens.However, if you want to take picture of "people minding their own business" (for lack of a better term), this would be a pretty good choice. You can be standing at some 20 ft away and still capture the emotion. Do not forget however F/4 is not that fast, in order to capture a crisp image you might end up having to boost up the ISO to ISO-800 unless it's a really sunny day.