Best Ultra Wide-Angle SLR Camera Lenses 2012
| December 20, 2011 | Posted by admin under Camera Lenses |
Considering the variety of Digital SLR cameras available on the market, it’s obvious that almost every lens manufacturer comes with a huge selection of products. Those include lenses for SLRs with a standard small-sensor and multi-platform lenses well suited for any SLR: 35 mm or digital with any size sensor. The multi-platform lenses are especially critical since many serious photographers have SLRs with extra-large (24×36 mm) full-frame sensors.
Top Ultra Wide-Angle Lenses
When we were taking pictures with 35-mm SLRs, a 20-35 mm was obviously a favorite lens mainly because it allowed for making photos with an ultra-wide angle of view. That is certainly still true for those who own full-frame DSLRs, though 1740 mm or 16-35 mm lenses are more common today. All of the companies today offer at least one very short zoom, such as a 10-20 mm lens, for small-sensor DSLRs.
How to use wide-angle lenses on your digital SLR: Pros and Cons
The following includes the latest and / or the most popular ultra-wide zooms. Some of them are multi-platform – ideal for any SLR camera – while others are exclusively for the small-sensor DSLRs. Fisheye lenses can be found in nearly all brands, but those are specialized lenses therefore they are not reviewed.
Reasonably affordable and compact for a pro-grade lens, this particular one is water-resistant and capable of fine image quality at all focal lengths, specifically at f/5.6 to f/8. The optical system includes 3 aspherical and one Super UD element along with an Ultrasonic (USM) motor for fast / silent autofocus. Small-sensor EOS camera owners should consider the highly rated EF-S 10-22 mm f/3.5-4.5 USM.
- Compatibility: All EOS DSLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.28 M
- Max. Magnification: N/A
- Dimensions/Weight: 83.5 X 96.8 MM
- 500 G
- 77-MM Filter
Nikon AF-S DX 10-24 MM F/3.5-4.5G ED
A premium-grade ultra-wide zoom for small-sensor DSLRs, this lens uses two ED and 3 aspherical elements for excellent edge-to-edge sharpness at virtually all apertures and focal lengths. It is equipped with the fast Silent Wave AF motor and a circular-diaphragm aperture for attractive background effects.
- Compatibility: Small-Sensor Nikon DSLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.24 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.2X
- Dimensions/Weight: 82.5 X 87.0 MM
- 460 G
- 77-MM Filter
An overview of digital SLR lenses
Nikon AF-S 16-35 MM F/4G ED VR
Smaller, lighter and cheaper compared to AF-S 14-24 mm f/2.8G ED, this lens is advertised as the world’s first image stabilized ultra-wide multi-platform zoom. Its weather-sealed magnesium alloy barrel includes the fast Silent Wave AF motor and the most efficient VR II stabilizer. The two ED and three aspherical elements produce remarkable image quality at all focal lengths, especially by f/5.6.
- Compatibility: All Nikon SLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.28 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.25X
- Dimensions/Weight: 82.5 X 125 MM
- 680 G
- 77-MM Filter
Olympus ZUIKO 9-18 MM F/4-5.6 ED
A very compact 18-36 mm equivalent with one ED and two aspherical elements, this one is also fairly light in weight because of the small maximum apertures. Although some Zuiko lenses are faster we usually use smaller aperture for ultra-wide pictures and this lens offers top quality particularly at f/8 and f/11, especially in the 9-14 mm range.
- Compatibility: All Olympus DSLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.25 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.12X
- Dimensions/Weight: 80 X 73 MM
- 280 G
- 72-MM Filter
Pentax DA 12-24 MM F/4 ED AL IF
A strong, semi-pro lens with internal focus and standard AF, this Pentax zoom comes with a Quick-Shift Focus System which allows for quickly switching from AF to manual focus. It utilizes one ED and 2 aspherical elements for excellent image quality, especially at shorter focal lengths and in the f/8 to f/11 range.
- Compatibility: All Pentax DSLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.30 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.125X
- Dimensions/Weight: 87 X 84 MM
- 430 G
- 77-MM Filter
SIGMA 8-16 MM F/4.5-5.6 DC HSM
The very first true super wide-angle (not fisheye) lens for small-sensor DSLRs, this zoom with ultrasonic HSM AF allows for making images with an exaggerated perspective of the near / far relationship. The premium-grade optical formula includes 4 FLD elements and three pieces of high-grade aspherical glass for high edge-to-edge sharpness at all focal lengths-even at f/5.6.
- Compatibility: Small-Sensor Canon, Nikon, Pentax, Sigma and Sony
- Min. Focus: 0.25 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.12X
- Dimensions/Weight: 75 X 106 MM
- 545 G
- Filter Size: N/A
Sigma 12-24 MM F/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II
The latest version of an earlier model, this super-wide lens with ultrasonic HSM AF provides two advantages: a splash-resistant design and a better optical formula with one SLD, 4 FLD and four aspherical elements. Picture quality is anticipated to be exceptional.
- Compatibility: All Canon, Nikon, Sigma SLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.28 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.1562X
- Dimensions/Weight: 87.5 X 120.2 MM
- 670 G
- Filter Size: Accepts small rear-mounted gel filters
Greatly optimized for fine quality across the entire frame, this ultra-wide zoom is quite durable and consists of one ED and 3 aspherical elements. Central sharpness is high even at maximum aperture but for better edge sharpness use f/8. Owners of full-frame Alpha DSLRs should take a look at Sony’s superb (and pricey) Carl Zeiss ZA 16-35 mm f/2,8 and 24-70 mm f/2.8 lenses.
- Compatibility: Small-Sensor Sony and Maxxum DSLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.25 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.125X
- Dimensions/Weight: 83 X 81 MM
- 360 G
- Filter Size: 77-MM Filter
A highly rated lens with a water/oil-resistant coating on the front element, this lens features one SD and two aspherical elements offers exceptional image quality by f/4. The Nikon mount version can’t auto-focus with DSLRs that need a lens with a built-in AF motor. Tokina recently announced a multi-platform SD 17-35 mm f/4 ATX PRO FX lens that should be available by the end of this year.
- Compatibility: Small-Sensor Cannon and Nikon DSLRs
- Min. Focus: 0.3 M
- Max. Magnification: 0.086X
- Dimensions/Weight: 84 X 89 MM
- 560 G
- Filter Size: 77-MM Filter
Incoming search terms:
- super wide angle lens
- best ultra wide angle lens
- auto focus wide angle still camera
- how to use ultra wide angle lenses
- kamera super wide
