Wide Angle for Nikon FF

[Stagecoach]

I'm in the process of putting together a shopping list for a forthcoming trip to the UK.

The item at the top of the list is a wide angle for my FF and all research to date has me convinced that the
Nikkor 17-35mm f/2.8D AF-S IF-ED is what I'll go for.

Main uses will be land/seascape and night time photography.

Has anyone had experience of this lens and come across any downsides to it?

Grahame

[george013]

Did you consider the Tamron 15-30 2.8? Cheaper and has better reviews.

George

[Stagecoach]

Did you consider the Tamron 15-30 2.8? Cheaper and has better reviews.

George

Unfortunately the Tamron has no filter thread George, that alone counts it out for me.

I would have certainly considered Tamron in favour of a Nikon lens if it had what I wanted.

[george013]

I see.
There is a filter holder for the lens. I can't tell you more.

George

[Shadowman]

Grahame,

Are the wide angles in your gear list DX lenses, did you get a kit lens when you purchased the FF?

[Stagecoach]

I see.
There is a filter holder for the lens. I can't tell you more.

George

I recall seeing an article about someone that had made an adaptor to fit over the hood so that they could use a filter system but a lot of work and cost was involved.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame,

Are the wide angles in your gear list DX lenses, did you get a kit lens when you purchased the FF?

John,

The 10-20 sigma I have is a DX John and whilst I have given this a go on the FF in cropped mode I have found framing the shot in the viewfinder a real pain when working in very poor light conditions. When I use it on the D300 I am limited by the lens f/4 aperture and the D300 poorer noise performance.

So the widest I presently have is the 28-75mm f/2.8 Tamron FF which I love but want wider

[george013]

I recall seeing an article about someone that had made an adaptor to fit over the hood so that they could use a filter system but a lot of work and cost was involved.

The pentax fits on this lens.
http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system-sw150

https://nisifilters.com.au/product/n...amron-15-30mm/

George

[billtils]

Grahame, I'm not sure how "wide angle" you want to go, but my Nikkor 24-85 does a good job. If you want to go extreme, the Samyang 14mm is really sharp and there is a Samyang filter holder for it (drop in of unusual dimensions) but I don't have it so can't really comment.

[Stagecoach]

The pentax fits on this lens.
http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system-sw150

https://nisifilters.com.au/product/n...amron-15-30mm/

George

George,

I'll have a look at these in more detail today as the Tamron is certainly a contender. It's also the Lee filters I'll be getting on the same shopping trip to replace my variable ND.

[Stagecoach]

Grahame, I'm not sure how "wide angle" you want to go, but my Nikkor 24-85 does a good job. If you want to go extreme, the Samyang 14mm is really sharp and there is a Samyang filter holder for it (drop in of unusual dimensions) but I don't have it so can't really comment.

Bill, I already have an excellent Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 and want to get to about 15/17mm widest but want the versatility of a zoom as well.

For the rare really wide shot the Sigma gives me 15mm, but with it's limitations as in post 7.

[Shadowman]

John,

The 10-20 sigma I have is a DX John and whilst I have given this a go on the FF in cropped mode I have found framing the shot in the viewfinder a real pain when working in very poor light conditions. When I use it on the D300 I am limited by the lens f/4 aperture and the D300 poorer noise performance.

So the widest I presently have is the 28-75mm f/2.8 Tamron FF which I love but want wider

Grahame,

Thought as much, when I went FF I bought without getting the kit lens which I think was a 24-120mm, I got along with the 18-55 and 10-24 DX versions for a while, like you I tired of the cropping although at times the vignette was a bit easier to handle than shooting in crop mode. I eventually went with the 24-70mm f/2.8 and like it a lot; when working with a FF wide angle the UW really complicates my composition; a lot more zooming with your feet is involved.

[rpcrowe]

Filter adapters for 15-30mm f/2.8 Tamron
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb...mron+15-30+2.8

FOR THE WIDEST (I think) ZOOM Available for full frame Nikon cameras...

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II Lens (For Nikon)
$949 at B&H
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...5_6_EX_DG.html
I would guess that this would match up pretty well with your 24-70 Nikkor...

There is a Lee Filter Adapter available:
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...geID/accessory

My personal UWA is the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 ATX Mark-1 which is designed for a Canon crop sensor but IS NOT an EFS mount. I can use it on my 5D Mark-2 at 17-18mm without vignetting causing a problem... I regretted not taking this lens to Charleston SC because the shooting area in the historical sector was really tight; causing me problems with my 17-55mm lens.

I also have a 8mm Vivitar f/3.5 (Samyang, etc., etc) fish eye which is designed for a crop sensor but which produces a circular image on a full frame cmera...

[Stagecoach]

The pentax fits on this lens.
http://www.leefilters.com/index.php/camera/system-sw150

https://nisifilters.com.au/product/n...amron-15-30mm/

George

I was not aware of the LEE SW150 system George so have worked out what I would need based on a supplier I can use whilst in the UK, if I was to go for that option. For info it works out at over twice the cost for the LEE 100mm system for use with a standard lens thread.

There are other cheaper options available but dealing with such things as mail order are not ideal on a short visit.

Filter adapters for 15-30mm f/2.8 Tamron
https://smile.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb...mron+15-30+2.8

FOR THE WIDEST (I think) ZOOM Available for full frame Nikon cameras...

Sigma 12-24mm f/4.5-5.6 DG HSM II Lens (For Nikon)
$949 at B&H
https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produ...5_6_EX_DG.html
I would guess that this would match up pretty well with your 24-70 Nikkor...

I discounted this Sigma option Richard as I really want an f/2.8 constant aperture to give the advantage when needed for working in poor light and ease of use with long exposure work.

And I still have this nagging concern that as most of my work is around the ocean my lenses at times get spray, moisture and salt on the front, a situation easily manageable with a protection filter screwed on the front

[billtils]

And I still have this nagging concern that as most of my work is around the ocean my lenses at times get spray, moisture and salt on the front, a situation easily manageable with a protection filter screwed on the front

+1 on that as a general principle, but especially in conditions such as these.

[odds]

...Has anyone had experience of this lens and come across any downsides to it?

I have had the AF-S 17-35 for quite some years. My sample is from the first series (1999-2005) and it has the well known audible focus squeak. Web sites tell me it means the focus motor may be near end of life. Mine has squeaked for a long time and it still works. I reckon you plan on buying a used sample, and you should probably negotiate price if it squeaks.

My AF-S 17-35 used to be real work horse for me, but has been less used the last four-five years. I have come to like the AF-S 20mm f/1.8 better on Nikon FX (D800E). It may be me growing old, the 20mm is half the weight, but I also feel the 20mm is a better lens (I do not shoot test charts). For some reason I have lost more lens hoods off the 17-35 than my other Nikkors combined, I learned to always buy two HB-23...

[Stagecoach]

Thank you for this info on the 17-35 Odd,

I have had the AF-S 17-35 for quite some years. My sample is from the first series (1999-2005) and it has the well known audible focus squeak. Web sites tell me it means the focus motor may be near end of life. Mine has squeaked for a long time and it still works. I reckon you plan on buying a used sample, and you should probably negotiate price if it squeaks.

I had not heard of the focus squeak and have since found reference to it in a few forums.

Yes, it is my intention to purchase this lens secondhand from a reputable dealer if I decide on it so it's good to have this info, thank you.

My AF-S 17-35 used to be real work horse for me, but has been less used the last four-five years. I have come to like the AF-S 20mm f/1.8 better on Nikon FX (D800E). It may be me growing old, the 20mm is half the weight, but I also feel the 20mm is a better lens (I do not shoot test charts). For some reason I have lost more lens hoods off the 17-35 than my other Nikkors combined, I learned to always buy two HB-23...

The weight is something that I'm not concerned about as I see it as a lens I will primarily be using on a tripod and not walking too far with.

The lens cap situation perhaps suggests they have a shallow depth to the filter thread.

What I did find mentioned was that it had a lack of dust sealing, which whilst it has the advantage of being able to fit a protection filter it could be good at sucking in salt laden air

[odds]

...The lens cap situation perhaps suggests they have a shallow depth to the filter thread.

The scalloped lens hood has a bayonet mount. Like most Nikon users I have lost some of Nikon lens caps as well, but I think I misplaced and forgot most of them rather the lens caps falling off while hiking.

My 17-35 has collected a little dust. I think you will find that to be true for most lenses that see a decade or more of real use.

[dubaiphil]

Something a little left field compared to other responders so far - I've recently picked up a wide angle prime, which has excellent IQ

The Nikon 20mm f1.8