Best Wide Angle lens (landscape) for my Nikon D7100

[Kathy O]

I would like to purchase a wider angle landscape lens for my Nikon D7100. I currently have the kit 18-55mm lens that came with my camera but would like to upgrade to a better quality lens. I also have a 35mm prim lens that I LOVE.

Please share your suggestions!!! Thank you.

[Shadowman]

Hi Kathy,

How wide do you want to go beyond the 18mm you already have? Are you aware of the perspective distortion that'll be created by a smaller focal length/wider angle, how close to the subject you'll have to stand in order to fill the foreground with anything other than sometimes nothingness?

[Kathy O]

Hi Kathy,

How wide do you want to go beyond the 18mm you already have? Are you aware of the perspective distortion that'll be created by a smaller focal length/wider angle, how close to the subject you'll have to stand in order to fill the foreground with anything other than sometimes nothingness?

The 18 - 55 mm is great as far as wide angle goes, I just don't like the quality of the lens. Is there something out there that is similar but helps with a better quality photo? Love my 35mm for that reason but sometimes I need a little wider shot than what the 35mm provides me. Hope that makes sense.

[Donald]

The one thing that's going to help people with advice, Kathy, is - What's your budget?

Clearly there is no point is suggesting the very top quality lenses if your budget rules those out.

[Shadowman]

The one thing that's going to help people with advice, Kathy, is - What's your budget?

Clearly there is no point is suggesting the very top quality lenses if your budget rules those out.

Also, how do you shoot? Tripod or handheld, do you mind manual focus or prefer autofocus. See the link for a good starting point on your search.

http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2014/12/how-to-buy-lens

Interestingly enough, the first question and suggestion in the link (Do you like architectural or street photography? Then ...should appeal to you) alluded to the question I was asking in this thread. Telephoto Street Shot So even thought out articles can lead the reader down one particular avenue while overlooking other options.

[Manfred M]

Kathy. The 18 - 55mm lens is a pretty decent landscape lens. Once you stop it down to f/8 to f/11, i.e. the apertures generally used in landscape work, I find it works quite well and gives you focal lengths that are well suited for landscape photography. The only thing I don't like about it is the flimsy, plastic lens mount. Don't get too concerned about the kit lens status, I find it is actually a really good lens for the money.

If you want something wider, have a look at the Tokina f/2.8 11-16mm. It goes for a pretty good price now that Tokina has introduced the f/2.8 11 - 20mm lens. It is sharper, better built and less expensive than any of the ultra-wide offerings from Nikon. Just make sure that you get the version with the built-in focusing motor, as the one without it won't autofocus on your camera body. One warning on the ultra wide angle lenses; they are not that easy to use.



NOTE: I mis-read Kathy's posting and thought she had a D5000 series camera. The lens without the focus motor works on the D7000 series, and the only downside is that the in-camera motor is slower and noisier than the in-lens motor.

[Kathy O]

The one thing that's going to help people with advice, Kathy, is - What's your budget?

Clearly there is no point is suggesting the very top quality lenses if your budget rules those out.

I do not have a lot of money to spend, probably the maximum would be $400, but if there is a good quality lens out there for cheaper that is even better, I think I spent $150 on my 35mm prime lens. Thank you for the suggestion Donald.

[Kathy O]

Kathy. The 18 - 55mm lens is a pretty decent landscape lens. Once you stop it down to f/8 to f/11, i.e. the apertures generally used in landscape work, I find it works quite well and gives you focal lengths that are well suited for landscape photography. The only thing I don't like about it is the flimsy, plastic lens mount. Don't get too concerned about the kit lens status, I find it is actually a really good lens for the money.

If you want something wider, have a look at the Tokina f/2.8 11-16mm. It goes for a pretty good price now that Tokina has introduced the f/2.8 11 - 20mm lens. It is sharper, better built and less expensive than any of the ultra-wide offerings from Nikon. Just make sure that you get the version with the built-in focusing motor, as the one without it won't autofocus on your camera body. One warning on the ultra wide angle lenses; they are not that easy to use.

Thank you for the suggestion!!

[Donald]

One warning on the ultra wide angle lenses; they are not that easy to use.

Indeed, that is very true. Also true is the fact that the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 is a very fine lens. I did have one and found it excellent. But I think, Kathy, you are maybe asking about a better quality lens in a focal range similar to what you already have, rather than asking about something wider. But maybe you could clarify this for us.

[Kathy O]

Also, how do you shoot? Tripod or handheld, do you mind manual focus or prefer autofocus. See the link for a good starting point on your search.

http://www.popphoto.com/gear/2014/12/how-to-buy-lens

Interestingly enough, the first question and suggestion in the link (Do you like architectural or street photography? Then ...should appeal to you) alluded to the question I was asking in this thread. Telephoto Street Shot So even thought out articles can lead the reader down one particular avenue while overlooking other options.

Thank you for the link. When shooting landscapes (which is what I love to photograph) I use a tripod, I try to stick with manual focus (although I am still learning and sometimes I revert back to auto to find a starting point) I also use a timer with the mirror up and I shoot in raw

[Mike Buckley]

I'm not a gear head but I can vouch for the quality of a Tokina 12-24 lens. Its cost is in your price range and you can reduce cost further by buying a used lens.

Just make sure that you get the version with the built-in focusing motor, as the one without it won't autofocus on your camera body.

The Nikon D7100 has a focusing motor.

[Dave Humphries]

Hi Kathy,

I found that most Nikon primes are going to be beyond your budget, the 35mm is an exceptional lens for the price and pretty unique for that. I think it is a great shame Nikon don't make a budget 24mm or 28mm prime to complement their 35mm and 50mm ones.

For my needs, I went for the Nikon 10-24mm in the end - and find I use it at all focal lengths, as the scene warrants - unfortunately, I fear that still exceeds your $450 I believe.

To meet your budget may suggest one of the manual focus primes, although the fast ones of those can also be expensive (not that you need a fast one).


One option you could try with your existing 35mm, given your 'landscape' subject matter, is panoramic stitching. Have you tried that?

[Manfred M]

The Nikon D7100 has a focusing motor.

Thanks Mike, I misread that as a D5100. Time to get my eyes checked. Yes, just like my old D90, the D7000 series can use either lens (with and without the focus motor).

[rtbaum]

For my wide angle, I use a nikon 28mm/1.8

[mikesan]

Thank you for the link. When shooting landscapes (which is what I love to photograph) I use a tripod, I try to stick with manual focus (although I am still learning and sometimes I revert back to auto to find a starting point) I also use a timer with the mirror up and I shoot in raw

Given these conditions I would suggest a manual focus Nikkor AIS 24mm/2.8. A very good copy can be had for well within your budget. My personal preference is not to go wider than 24mm for landscape shots.

[RobFellows]

For the money you can't go past the Sigma 10-20mm. It's an excellent performer in that price bracket if you don't want to or can't shell out for the Nikon. From what I have observed, most people buy an ultra wide angle to go as wide as possible, therefore i would suggest something that starts with a 10mm for a DX body. I would also r commend you pop a couple on in the shop to get a feel for the perspective that the UWA lenses will give you.

[Kathy O]

Indeed, that is very true. Also true is the fact that the Tokina 11-16 f2.8 is a very fine lens. I did have one and found it excellent. But I think, Kathy, you are maybe asking about a better quality lens in a focal range similar to what you already have, rather than asking about something wider. But maybe you could clarify this for us.

Yes Donald that is what I am asking, thank you for helping me clarify this

[Stagecoach]

Kathy,

I throw in another thing to consider.

If you think you will possibly upgrade/addition to a FF in the future it would be worthwhile taking this into account now. I have a sigma 10-20mm that I used with the crop sensor that's of little use with the FF I have added recently.

[tclune]

For my wide angle, I use a nikon 28mm/1.8

And you used a FF camera. How exactly is this relevant to the OP's question?

[rtbaum]

And you used a FF camera. How exactly is this relevant to the OP's question?

Point taken.....still making that transition mentally