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View Full Version : BUYING: Wide Angle Lens HELP

is300chachi
10-15-2007, 02:58 PM
Hey Guys,
I am going to be getting a Wide Angle Lens soon for my Sony Alpha100, but I am having some trouble deciding from 2.
My budget is around no more than $600, but the Lens under $300 looks good also and will save me about $300 bucks...
I am looking to take indoor shots, as well as landscapes. I don't know much about wide angle so i want to know if its necessary to spend the extra $300 on the more expensive one. If the results will be mainly similar then the least expensive will do...
Thanks
so here are the 2

SAL-20F28 - 20mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens
$559.99
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/439158.jpg

Product Specifications
Focal Length

* APS: 30mm (35mm Equivalent: 20mm)

Filter Diameter

* 72mm

Minimum Focus Distance

* 9.6” (25cm)

Magnification

* x 0.13

Lens Groups-Elements

* 9 groups, 10 elements

Distance Scale

* Yes

Depth-of-Field

* Yes

Aperture (Max.)

* f/2.8

Aperture (Min.)

* f/22

Blades

* 7 aperture blades

Aspheric Elements

* no aspheric

Lens Type

* Wide Angle & Wide Angle Zoom

Weight (Approx.)

* 10oz (285g)

Dimensions (Approx.)

* 3 1/8 x 2 1/8” (78 x 53.5mm)


SAL-28F28 - 28mm f/2.8 Wide-Angle Lens
$249.95
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/images/items/439159.jpg

Product Specifications
Focal Length

* APS: 42mm (35mm Equivalent: 28mm)

Filter Diameter

* 49mm

Minimum Focus Distance

* 1' (30cm)

Magnification

* x 0.13

Lens Groups-Elements

* 5 groups, 5 elements

Distance Scale

* Yes

Distance Encoder

* No

Depth-of-Field

* Yes

Aperture (Max.)

* f/2.8

Aperture (Min.)

* f/22

Blades

* 7 aperture blades

Aspheric Elements

* no aspheric

Lens Type

* Wide Angle & Wide Angle Zoom

Weight (Approx.)

* 7oz (185g)

Dimensions (Approx.)

* 2 9/16 x 1 11/16” (71 x 43mm)
04_IS
10-15-2007, 04:52 PM
IMO i would go with the less expensive of the two man... reason being youre not sacrificing any aperture by going with the less expensive lens. Only thing you need to think about is whether youre going to miss those 8mm in difference. Somehow I think not.

I checked a few sites i am on a lot and couldnt find much in the way of reviews for the two. If you are really stuck on the 20mm I would look at Amazon. They have it for $516. I think both lenses will give you the wide angle youre lookin for just fine but you would be spending the extra dough for only 8mm. GL on your quest and post up some pics when you get it!

http://www.amazon.com/Sony-SAL-20F28-Angle-Digital-Camera/dp/B000G25NHC/ref=sr_1_3/102-7441510-3513754?ie=UTF8&s=photo&qid=1192477833&sr=1-3
ElusiveIS
10-15-2007, 05:01 PM
i am not up on the sony.. but is there a crop factor on the sony like the canon/nikon? i know for the canon a 10-22mm range is ULTRA wide and i have been very impressed with the pictures it takes.
AfternoonShift
10-15-2007, 05:19 PM
If your crop is the same as canon(1.6)/nikon(1.5) then i'd def. go wit the 20mm.

I have a 28-70 lense and 28mm isn't wide at all. I think u'd have more fun wit the 20mm. I get some great shots with my 10-20.

Sony Alpha make any lenses that are maybe a bit slower so u don't have fork so much money over for a 20mm prime? unless u shot at 2.8f a lot than it would be worth it.
04_IS
10-15-2007, 05:35 PM
i am not up on the sony.. but is there a crop factor on the sony like the canon/nikon? i know for the canon a 10-22mm range is ULTRA wide and i have been very impressed with the pictures it takes.

the crop factor is 1.5 for his camera...i didnt see any lenses slower but I dont think I would want to go much slower than 2.8. especially if he started to move to lower lighting or indoors. plus if he decided to do a closer shot both lenses can focus as close as 10" and 12" so he can throw the background out of focus with the 2.8.
timothybui
10-15-2007, 09:04 PM
Before purchasing, go to a local camera shop and test them out. 20mm will be a lot wider than that 28mm that's for sure. I speak from experience I have a 10.5mm.
Sangchoii
10-15-2007, 10:18 PM
Before purchasing, go to a local camera shop and test them out. 20mm will be a lot wider than that 28mm that's for sure. I speak from experience I have a 10.5mm.

listen to timmy, he only has a fish eye ahahaha
timothybui
10-15-2007, 10:31 PM
Then again, it really depends what you'll be using it for.
is300chachi
10-16-2007, 12:59 AM
Hey guys,
Thanks for the feed back

Well, i'm mainly going to be using it for Landscapes, sceneries, and cars...
Maybe a little indoor, but not as much as the others.

Which of those pics will i be most likely to achieve with which lens?

I am looking for results like the following:
http://www.mrselsmore.com/hosted/te/blog.nsf/2/TELE-6PNDW2/$File/Great%20Hall,%20wide%20angle.JPG
http://www.xintyan.com/turkey06/wide%20angle.jpg
http://www.bagelturf.com/canons3/s3raynox6600/files/page72_blog_entry10_4.jpg
http://www.bagelturf.com/canons3/s3raynox6600/files/page72_blog_entry10_1.jpg
timothybui
10-16-2007, 07:11 AM
In that case, go with the 28mm and save yourself $300.

But that is just my saying, I don't know much about Sony cameras. Try talking to asukadc about it.
asukadc
10-16-2007, 09:08 PM
If your crop is the same as canon(1.6)/nikon(1.5) then i'd def. go wit the 20mm.

I have a 28-70 lense and 28mm isn't wide at all. I think u'd have more fun wit the 20mm. I get some great shots with my 10-20.

Sony Alpha make any lenses that are maybe a bit slower so u don't have fork so much money over for a 20mm prime? unless u shot at 2.8f a lot than it would be worth it.

wrong, all minolta lens bolts on.
asukadc
10-16-2007, 09:10 PM
wide angel lens, if you are not going to use it much, get a old minolta wide angel lens to save some money.

as for my taste, 16mm is as wide as i'd go snappin shots, the 16-80 is great. anything less than 16 ... might as well go fish eye.
is300chachi
10-16-2007, 09:45 PM
Now I have 1 more option,
That being the following
So what is your input on this lens?

http://www.photoreview.com.au/reviews/cameraaccessories/leadpic_SONYDT11-18mm_F4.5-.jpg

Focal Length

* APS: 16.5 - 27mm (35mm Equivalent: 11

Filter Diameter

* 77mm

Minimum Focus Distance

* 9.6" (25cm)

Magnification

* x 0.125

Lens Groups-Elements

* 12 groups, 15 elements

Distance Scale

* Yes

Distance Encoder

* Yes

Aperture (Max.)

* f/4.5 - 5.6

Aperture (Min.)

* f/22 - 29

Blades

* 7 aperture blades

Aspheric Elements

* 3 aspheric

Lens Type

* Wide Angle & Wide Angle Zoom

Weight (Approx.)

* 13oz (360g)

Dimensions (Approx.)

* 3 3/8 x 3 1/4 (83 x 80.5mm)
ElusiveIS
10-16-2007, 10:04 PM
^ that could work.

For me.. I want the Canon 10-22 lense.