Best budget wide angle for D5100?

[Ricardolv9]

Hi! I am new to photography and recently borrowed (for a looon time) a d5100 with a 70-300mm zoom lens, a 50mm 1.8 lens and the 18-55 kit lens. I normally have the 50mm as my prime lens and I really enjoy it. However lately I've been wanting to explore landscape / astrophotography and found that for landscape is hard to capture what I envision with the 50mm. So I was wondering if you have a good recommendation for a wide angle lens? I am on a budget tho, so ideally something that doesn't break the bank (maybe up to $300-400). I know with this budget i will most likely have to look in the used market, which i am absolutely fine with.

I looked at different sites and some of the lenses I see frequently recommended for a d5100 are 1)Nikon 10-24mm (very expensive for me) with a very close second tokina 11-16mm 2.8. I've read that the tokina 11-16mm might not focus with the d5100, does anyone know anything about this?

I am not married to any lens, really, since my knowledge is fairly limited. I know I want to take photos of landscapes but I don't have the expertise to necessarily know what to look for (hope that makes sense).

Any help provided will be highly appreciated!

Thanks

 

[Horoscope Fish]

Hi! I am new to photography and recently borrowed (for a looon time) a d5100 with a 70-300mm zoom lens, a 50mm 1.8 lens and the 18-55 kit lens. I normally have the 50mm as my prime lens and I really enjoy it. However lately I've been wanting to explore landscape / astrophotography and found that for landscape is hard to capture what I envision with the 50mm. So I was wondering if you have a good recommendation for a wide angle lens? I am on a budget tho, so ideally something that doesn't break the bank (maybe up to $300-400). I know with this budget i will most likely have to look in the used market, which i am absolutely fine with.

I looked at different sites and some of the lenses I see frequently recommended for a d5100 are 1)Nikon 10-24mm (very expensive for me) with a very close second tokina 11-16mm 2.8. I've read that the tokina 11-16mm might not focus with the d5100, does anyone know anything about this?

I am not married to any lens, really, since my knowledge is fairly limited. I know I want to take photos of landscapes but I don't have the expertise to necessarily know what to look for (hope that makes sense).

Any help provided will be highly appreciated!

Thanks

I used a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 when I had a D5100 and it was an excellent lens.

The version you want is the 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II. The "II" in the description is important since it indicates the version with an internal focus-motor, without which the lens will be manual-focus only on your D5100. If you don't see "DX II" printed on the lens barrel it's not a DX II version.

 

[Bob]

The Tokina 11-16 is a fantastic lens. I bought it for my D300 based on Ken Rockwell's review. He was spot on in his description.

Nonetheless, I found myself always using the 11mm end of it. So, if I had to do it over, I would just get an 11mm prime and rely on cropping if I need to.

 

[Ricardolv9]

Bob thanks so much for your suggestion. I am really excited about picking this hobby. It sounds like the tokina 11-16 would be a good choice!

 

[Ricardolv9]

Hi! I am new to photography and recently borrowed (for a looon time) a d5100 with a 70-300mm zoom lens, a 50mm 1.8 lens and the 18-55 kit lens. I normally have the 50mm as my prime lens and I really enjoy it. However lately I've been wanting to explore landscape / astrophotography and found that for landscape is hard to capture what I envision with the 50mm. So I was wondering if you have a good recommendation for a wide angle lens? I am on a budget tho, so ideally something that doesn't break the bank (maybe up to $300-400). I know with this budget i will most likely have to look in the used market, which i am absolutely fine with.

I looked at different sites and some of the lenses I see frequently recommended for a d5100 are 1)Nikon 10-24mm (very expensive for me) with a very close second tokina 11-16mm 2.8. I've read that the tokina 11-16mm might not focus with the d5100, does anyone know anything about this?

I am not married to any lens, really, since my knowledge is fairly limited. I know I want to take photos of landscapes but I don't have the expertise to necessarily know what to look for (hope that makes sense).

Any help provided will be highly appreciated!

Thanks

I used a Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 when I had a D5100 and it was an excellent lens.

The version you want is the 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X116 Pro DX II. The "II" in the description is important since it indicates the version with an internal focus-motor, without which the lens will be manual-focus only on your D5100. If you don't see "DX II" printed on the lens barrel it's not a DX II version.

Aaahh... That's a good point - thanks for clarifying! I wouldn't have known otherwise. If I decide to go with this lens, I'll make sure it has the DX II on it.

Since you had a 5100, any other tips on lenses that you particularly enjoyed?

Thanks so much!

 

[DaptC]

Aaahh... That's a good point - thanks for clarifying! I wouldn't have known otherwise. If I decide to go with this lens, I'll make sure it has the DX II on it.

Since you had a 5100, any other tips on lenses that you particularly enjoyed?

Thanks so much!

The DX II version has been replaced by CF version now. Both will work with your D5100. I have the DX II version, except for the well-documented problem with flair, I have no complaints.

 

[lokatz]

To throw a bit of a curveball, I used to own the Tokina 11-16 and agree it's a great lens. However, at some point I replaced it with a Tokina 12-28, based on a comparison test I found in a German photo mag.

I experienced no difference in image quality between the two. At the same time, the focal range is much more useful as you don't want to be at ultra-wide angles for every shot. Changing to your 18-55 for landscapes is not only a nuisance but also means lower IQ.

Yes, the 11-16 is a stop faster, but that matters little unless you shoot indoors. The 12-28 also has a built-in AF motor, same as the 11-16 II, so it will work on your body. Definitely worth the thought in my experience.

 

[Mystery member]

Hi! I am new to photography and recently borrowed (for a looon time) a d5100 with a 70-300mm zoom lens, a 50mm 1.8 lens and the 18-55 kit lens. I normally have the 50mm as my prime lens and I really enjoy it. However lately I've been wanting to explore landscape / astrophotography and found that for landscape is hard to capture what I envision with the 50mm. So I was wondering if you have a good recommendation for a wide angle lens? I am on a budget tho, so ideally something that doesn't break the bank (maybe up to $300-400). I know with this budget i will most likely have to look in the used market, which i am absolutely fine with.

I'm afraid that the 50mm lens was a bad choice. Many like 35mm for general photography, while I personally prefer 16-35mm on my APS-C Sony.

For wide angle, an old favourite is the Sigma 10-20mm. I think that there's also a Nikon 10-20mm.

 

[Ricardolv9]

To throw a bit of a curveball, I used to own the Tokina 11-16 and agree it's a great lens. However, at some point I replaced it with a Tokina 12-28, based on a comparison test I found in a German photo mag.

I experienced no difference in image quality between the two. At the same time, the focal range is much more useful as you don't want to be at ultra-wide angles for every shot. Changing to your 18-55 for landscapes is not only a nuisance but also means lower IQ.

Yes, the 11-16 is a stop faster, but that matters little unless you shoot indoors. The 12-28 also has a built-in AF motor, same as the 11-16 II, so it will work on your body. Definitely worth the thought in my experience.

THanks so much for your suggestion. I will definitely look into the 12-28 as well. Another I've heard really good things about is the samyang 14mm f2.8, however I don't know how much of a limitation it would be to not have the flexibility of the zoom.

I haven't done alot of indoor photography, so that wouldnt really be an issue for me, really more interested in what the lens can offer when being outside. Said that, do you see any issues with these lenses when shooting at night outside? I'm guessing it should work well.

 

[Ricardolv9]

Hi! I am new to photography and recently borrowed (for a looon time) a d5100 with a 70-300mm zoom lens, a 50mm 1.8 lens and the 18-55 kit lens. I normally have the 50mm as my prime lens and I really enjoy it. However lately I've been wanting to explore landscape / astrophotography and found that for landscape is hard to capture what I envision with the 50mm. So I was wondering if you have a good recommendation for a wide angle lens? I am on a budget tho, so ideally something that doesn't break the bank (maybe up to $300-400). I know with this budget i will most likely have to look in the used market, which i am absolutely fine with.

I'm afraid that the 50mm lens was a bad choice. Many like 35mm for general photography, while I personally prefer 16-35mm on my APS-C Sony.

For wide angle, an old favourite is the Sigma 10-20mm. I think that there's also a Nikon 10-20mm.

Thanks for your suggestion. the lenses I currently own were part of what I borrowed, so haven't really made an investment yet. I have also heard great things about the 35mm so I might have to look into that one, after I get my wide angle lens =)

I will definitely look into the 10-20's - would you say these work well both for landscape and astrophotography?

 

[lokatz]

To throw a bit of a curveball, I used to own the Tokina 11-16 and agree it's a great lens. However, at some point I replaced it with a Tokina 12-28, based on a comparison test I found in a German photo mag.

I experienced no difference in image quality between the two. At the same time, the focal range is much more useful as you don't want to be at ultra-wide angles for every shot. Changing to your 18-55 for landscapes is not only a nuisance but also means lower IQ.

Yes, the 11-16 is a stop faster, but that matters little unless you shoot indoors. The 12-28 also has a built-in AF motor, same as the 11-16 II, so it will work on your body. Definitely worth the thought in my experience.

THanks so much for your suggestion. I will definitely look into the 12-28 as well. Another I've heard really good things about is the samyang 14mm f2.8, however I don't know how much of a limitation it would be to not have the flexibility of the zoom.

With the Samyang on my D850 or Z7, I would not worry at all because I have enough resolution to crop significantly and still have plenty of pixels left. With your D5100, that's a different ballgame. Personally, I would opt for a zoom. However, that may also have to do with my shooting preferences: for architecture and landscapes, 21mm (=14mm on a DX body) just isn't wide enough for me. I did not feel much of a loss going from 11 to 12mm on DX, but 14mm would have felt overly limiting, I think.

I haven't done alot of indoor photography, so that wouldnt really be an issue for me, really more interested in what the lens can offer when being outside. Said that, do you see any issues with these lenses when shooting at night outside? I'm guessing it should work well.

The one advantage I see with the 11-16 over the 12-28 is that for astro photography, you get slightly shorter exposure times and thus less risk of getting star trails (unless you want those, of course). Other than that, both lenses are of decent build quality, have excellent optics, and actually share about the same size and weight. Either of them will serve you well...

 

[Ricardolv9]

To throw a bit of a curveball, I used to own the Tokina 11-16 and agree it's a great lens. However, at some point I replaced it with a Tokina 12-28, based on a comparison test I found in a German photo mag.

I experienced no difference in image quality between the two. At the same time, the focal range is much more useful as you don't want to be at ultra-wide angles for every shot. Changing to your 18-55 for landscapes is not only a nuisance but also means lower IQ.

Yes, the 11-16 is a stop faster, but that matters little unless you shoot indoors. The 12-28 also has a built-in AF motor, same as the 11-16 II, so it will work on your body. Definitely worth the thought in my experience.

THanks so much for your suggestion. I will definitely look into the 12-28 as well. Another I've heard really good things about is the samyang 14mm f2.8, however I don't know how much of a limitation it would be to not have the flexibility of the zoom.

With the Samyang on my D850 or Z7, I would not worry at all because I have enough resolution to crop significantly and still have plenty of pixels left. With your D5100, that's a different ballgame. Personally, I would opt for a zoom. However, that may also have to do with my shooting preferences: for architecture and landscapes, 21mm (=14mm on a DX body) just isn't wide enough for me. I did not feel much of a loss going from 11 to 12mm on DX, but 14mm would have felt overly limiting, I think.

I haven't done alot of indoor photography, so that wouldnt really be an issue for me, really more interested in what the lens can offer when being outside. Said that, do you see any issues with these lenses when shooting at night outside? I'm guessing it should work well.

The one advantage I see with the 11-16 over the 12-28 is that for astro photography, you get slightly shorter exposure times and thus less risk of getting star trails (unless you want those, of course). Other than that, both lenses are of decent build quality, have excellent optics, and actually share about the same size and weight. Either of them will serve you well...

Ughhh... Now I am starting to reconsider and wonder if I should save the money and try to get a better camera. Not sure that's the right thing to do as with my skill level probably I can't justify it. But in any case, I think the tokina 11-16mm should work well for my intentions. Maybe after a year or so I can look into upgrading my D5100 =)

Thanks so much!

 

[Ricardolv9]

Aaahh... That's a good point - thanks for clarifying! I wouldn't have known otherwise. If I decide to go with this lens, I'll make sure it has the DX II on it.

Since you had a 5100, any other tips on lenses that you particularly enjoyed?

Thanks so much!

The DX II version has been replaced by CF version now. Both will work with your D5100. I have the DX II version, except for the well-documented problem with flair, I have no complaints.

Thanks! I'm excited about this lens. I think I will get this one or the 12-24mm. It is just a matter of what is the best deal I can find online.

 

[bjn70]

I think the older Sigma 10-20 is a good budget choice. Used they are very economical.

You said you couldn't capture what you wanted with the 50mm, the kit lens 18-55 should work better. 18mm on that camera is borderline for current style of landscapes so you might need to go wider.

 

[DaptC]

Aaahh... That's a good point - thanks for clarifying! I wouldn't have known otherwise. If I decide to go with this lens, I'll make sure it has the DX II on it.

Since you had a 5100, any other tips on lenses that you particularly enjoyed?

Thanks so much!

The DX II version has been replaced by CF version now. Both will work with your D5100. I have the DX II version, except for the well-documented problem with flair, I have no complaints.

Thanks! I'm excited about this lens. I think I will get this one or the 12-24mm. It is just a matter of what is the best deal I can find online.

Tokina also has an 11-20 f/2.8 if you want a larger range. That will cost USD 100 more.

 

[Ricardolv9]

Hi all. So I ended up coming across a tokina 11-20 2.8 and was able to buy it for $350 in mint condition, which I think is a good deal. Speciallysince I couldn't find a 11-16 under 300. Can't wait to get my hands on it and start taking some pics! Thanks for all the recommendations!