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Wide Angle's.. Sigma or Tokina?Moderator: Moderators
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Hi everyone, currently looking for a a wide angle lens and have been tossing up between the Tokina 12-24mm or Sigma 10-20mm.
Has anyone used both of these lens before 
Does anyone recommend one more then the other
If you have a Tokina, what are your thoughts
If you have a Sigma, what are your thoughts
Been reading alot of reviews and I can't afford the Canon and I don't like the Tamron... want to get a lens before the Blue Mountains Meet  Cheers,
Trieu 30D and TWO L's
I have the Tokina and it is great, although obviously not as wide as the Sigma. However it is still wide enough to distort things significantly should you hold the camera at even a slight angle.
It is very sharp from around f6-f11 or f16, but at the widest aperture f4 it is quite soft in the corners (although still sharp in the middle) I hope this helps somewhat. Cheers, Owen. edit: here are a couple of pics. the first is a crop from the middle of the second, this was taken at f/4 and 12mm (note the vignetting is not from the lens, but added afterwards.) 
 Last edited by owen on Fri May 19, 2006 2:38 pm, edited 2 times in total.
My vote goes to the Sigma - its wider, very sharp and contrasty.
I tried the Tokina, but found the CA a bit of a worry in contrasty conditions (e.g. bright yellow on black) Couple of pics 
More on my site (see below) My 2c 
Trieu,
Have a look around here and you'll find plenty of good examples from both the tokina 12-24 and the sigma 10-20. Also you should consider the sigma 12-24 (and for those with nikon their 12-24, but yes I know you've got canon)... all have quite well documented advantages and disadvantages. Main problem for me is that none of them are a clear choice so that makes the decision a hard one. To some extent it will depend on the style of shooting you looking at... with the tokina suffering more from CA and the sigma tending to display greater distortion... but used right both can do the job for about the same cost. Photography is not a crime, but perhaps my abuse of artistic license is?
Yeap thanks again, will be search now.
Owen: HOW DID YOU GET A DRAGON FLY TO STAY on your finger? Nice shot! Pharmer: Love the colour on your pics.. Mmmmm hard decision to make. Cheers,
Trieu 30D and TWO L's
If you aren't in a rush, perhaps try both lens (if you can) at a mini meet and then compare the results for yourself. I have the 10-20 and am happy with that, but I've seen some great shots from it, the Tokina and also the 12-24 variants. For me I wanted as wide as I could get, and the benefit of being able ot use a filter on the front.
The Tokina is the only one with fixed apature throughout the zoom.
Hi Greencardigan, I have heard that alot but not exactly sure what it means or how it would work.... can you tell me abit more? Been meaning to ask that question as well
e.g. "Constant f4 on the 24-105mm L lens" just not sure how it is better... Cheers,
Trieu 30D and TWO L's
The dragonfly was actually recovering from getting stuck in a spider's web. I had rescued him from it and then he stayed on my finger for 10 minutes afterwards. The wideangle lens was all I had because I couldn't change lenses one handed
THe constant aperture simply means that it doesn't change. A lot of lenses can't let as much light in when you increase the zoom. Eg, some lenses might be f2.8 at their widest angle, but when you zoom in it might drop down to f5.4 or something like that because it is unable to let as much light in. Last edited by owen on Fri May 19, 2006 3:57 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Trieu,
The dragonfly was superglued on owen's hand 
Craig, Problem is he has Canon but not many Canon guys on this forum own both these lenses. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
In the bargain section. I'm sure one of our Canberra members just got a new Tokina 12-24 and he shoots Canon. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
I picked my Sigma up locally from a camera store in the Melbourne CBD for $660 - cheaper than what I could source it from Ebay for with postage and its got a local warranty
Owen: so that would mean that for low light conditions, these type of lenses will be much better off?
I plan on taking alot of night shots with my wide angle.. Cheers,
Trieu 30D and TWO L's
Yes & No. Low light required fast lens or with sturdy tripod and remote. Forget about handholding with those lenses. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
Only if you're hand holding These lenses are at their peak sharpness at f8 - f11 anyway and you should be using a tripod or some support for night shots f4 on any of lenses is softish at the corners and only used in desperate situations
I've never used the Sigma 10-20 (although if Craig isn't careful, I'll be FORCED to test out his, as well as his 80-200 at the walkmeet!), but I can vouch for the goodness of the Tokina. I'd heard some horror stories about quality variation between samples of the Sigma, and I liked the feel of the Tokina that I'd tried at a minimeet.. so I went with the Tokina!
LOL, I guess that can be arranged, atleast you won't want to borrow my kit lens right ?
The Canon has a minimum apature of 3.5 - 4.5 The sigma equivalent is 4 - 5.6
In a lot of reviews the Canon comes out on top, or equal with the Nikon 12-24, not being a canon user I can't speak about it first hand but I've only heard good stories about it.
I had chance to use the Canon 10-22, all I can say is " Get it , you won't be regret ", last Xmas in VN , Lao and Cambodia all I had is the wide 10-22 and Tammy 28-75 and most of the pictures were taken by the 10-22 ( mostly lanscape ), This year on the minimeet at Cataract dam I got one Tokina 12-24 from Birddog at a special price it is also a good lens solid built, excl sharpness and constant F4 and cheaper, I prefer the Canon EFS as it is faster and wider ( do you need fast for lanscape ) but you can't go wrong with either lenses.
Regards Spada
So you have a new toy to play with tomorrow night I take it
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything. *** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
He's already played with it Peter, and with some pretty impressive results.
D3, D300, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 80-400VR, 18-200VR, 105/2.8 VR macro, Sigma 150/2.8 macro
http://www.johndarguephotography.com/
That makes more sense now John - those shots were with your lens when you were in town. I see elsewhere Trieu expects his new toy tomorrow.
Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything. *** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
Not correct Peter, I don't have a W/A zoom and Trieu shoots Canon and I have d70. Trieu found a try before you buy deal in Sydney somewhere. I don't know the full details but the place is in the city somewhere, we drove past it. Cheers John D3, D300, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 80-400VR, 18-200VR, 105/2.8 VR macro, Sigma 150/2.8 macro
http://www.johndarguephotography.com/
John, I read the above posts few times and  with Canon uses Nikon lens but now your clarification made my mind cleared.Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
Do I get the Village Idiot award for this week given that (a) I know you have D70 and he has Canon and (b) I know the mounts aren't compatable  Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything. *** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
No, but I nearly became eligible. I initially typed "I have d2x". Actually, I think that's quite spooky. I must be meant to have one. Come on July 1st. Cheers John D3, D300, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 80-400VR, 18-200VR, 105/2.8 VR macro, Sigma 150/2.8 macro
http://www.johndarguephotography.com/
John
D2x is nice. If available D200 would be nice too - both are bad for your bank balance.  Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything. *** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
All this Nikon talk is making me want to change over... BUT.... I cannot give in.. (wife would dis own me for one...)
Yeah, I did find a place in the city that was a try before you buy place. Not sure if I am able to advertise here so PM me and I will fill you in. But yeah, I had a whole night and day with the Sigma, but decided on the Tokina. I would have bought it from Birddog but ended up paying extra to be able to test both lens.... sorry Birddog, I would have bought from you if I knew exactly what I wanted. Cheers,
Trieu 30D and TWO L's
I like my Sigma!
Check out the Polarizing filter situation too the Sigma takes a normal 77mm filter, I think the Tokina needs a thin filter at about double the price. A tokina owner may be able to confirm or deny this. cheers doug
Trieu, Glad you have got what you wanted. Don't worry, I'm not living on the profit by selling photography gears on this site. Say again as I said before: the profits I make on here is not enough to buy me a full carton of imported beer. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
Australian beer are the best
Regards Spada
Yes, you're right Dug! Sigma can take normal filter and Tokina has to be used with slim line filter as B&W or Hoya Pro and it costs 1/3 price of the lens. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
What? Foster? VB? Crownie? No Paying to get Crownie. better get some nice imported beers. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
Nothing wrong with Canon Trieu. Don't have any regrets. So far as naming the try before you buy place - that's OK - it's not advertising coming from you. If they created an account here and started touting for business THAT would be advertising. So go ahead and name names. Peter
Disclaimer: I know nothing about anything. *** smugmug galleries: http://www.stubbsy.smugmug.com ***
Why the need for the slim line filter on the Tokina but normal on Sigma? D3, D300, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 80-400VR, 18-200VR, 105/2.8 VR macro, Sigma 150/2.8 macro
http://www.johndarguephotography.com/
Tokina needs the slimline filter coz seriously vignetting at 12mm on the other hand Sigma does not have or produce any vignetting at 10mm with standard filter. Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
Sorry Birdy, I should have been more specific. I guessed it was a vignitting issue but why does the Tokina vignite more than the Sigma at short focal lengths. I think the front element of the Sigma bulges out a bit more if I remember rightly. Is it something to do with the shape of the front element?
On a similar theme, isn't one of the newer w/a zooms unable to take filters on front because of the bulging front element Or am I dreaming  D3, D300, 14-24/2.8, 24-70/2.8, 85/1.4, 80-400VR, 18-200VR, 105/2.8 VR macro, Sigma 150/2.8 macro
http://www.johndarguephotography.com/
It's the nature of the Tokina and its glass! say something like Pepsi and Coke The front of the sigma bulges out little bit but does not produce any vignetting at max. wide (10mm)
You may talk about another Sigma 12-24 it's an old design and FF, this lens can't hold any filter in the front.Birddog114
VNAF, My Beloved Country and Airspace
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