Wide Angle Lens and RSPB Arne

[Chris_Johnstone]

Hey girls and boys,

After starting my new job in Weymouth I've hardly had a decent chance to get out and about and since moving away I've been wittled down to only my 100-400mm. I live right on the coast and each night there is the chance of a spectacular sunset and coast landscapes. What are your recommendations for a wide angle lens? I was considering a sigma 10-20mm but if anyone can suggest otherwise then I'm happy to investigate.

Luckily, last Saturday I managed to get to RSPB Arne, near Poole and was pleasantly surprised by about 100 Fallow Deer in winter coats coming within 15 metres from me. It was great, I also managed to get in some stalking practice until I found out I had sat on a wood ants' nest and had to move slightly quicker... Couple of Little Egrets were snapped as well and came out really crisp, something I was beginning to get concerned about with my 100-400. Really worth a look for birds, mammals... and insects.

I would love to show you some shots but I have to use a work computer and they're pretty anal about plugging in foreign cables etc.

Chris

[RichBrew]

Chris:

Welcome to the Dorset coast. Arne is a regular visiting place for me as I can get there in half a hour, and as you now know, it contains a diverse variety of subjects. I, too, have been surprised at how approachable the deer are. It makes things somewhat easier for photography.
Don't forget to visit the Jurassic coastline, and the Kimmeridge area in particular, especially at low tide. I've spent many hours photographing seascapes in this area, and when the light is good, you can get spectacular results. I don't use the wide zooms that you are contemplating, but make sure any lens you buy is capable of taking filters (threaded), as you really do need ND grads to make the most of all that wonderful coastline.

RichBrew

[glsammy]

Hi Chris.

I have the Sigma 10-20mm and I think it's a superb lens. Extremely versatile, it makes a real change from using my usual telephoto!
Of course it's capable of taking any filters, having standard 77mm thread. I've got a Cokin type, which works well. I highly recommend the lens.

[galanthus]

I have the canon 10-22 mm and also the 24-70mm L both fantastic lenses, but the 10-22 is prob more what you need for really wide angle.

[JonSadler]

I have a Sigma 10-20 and I think it is great also. Good for landscapes, building but also for close work. See Graham's photographs.

Regards
Jon

[glsammy]

It makes a great close up lens for flowers, I was surprised how good it was. Although not a macro, you can get some very pleasing results due to the wide depth of field. I imagine that applies to most wide angled lenses.

[GerryNick2]

I have the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f3.5-4.5 USM, at the time it was a bit of an impulse buy but one I don't regret, the sharpness of the images it produces are amazing.

Gerry

[richardkm]

Either I missed it, or you don't tell us which camera body you have.

If you have a Canon, I don't think there's any doubt that the Canon lenses will out perform any independant make.

[PMG]

I too have the Sigma 10-20 and find it excellent esp as Graham says for flowers with views behind......... I didn't try the Canon as I didn't have the money.........

Pauline

[glsammy]

Originally Posted by PMG

I too have the Sigma 10-20 and find it excellent esp as Graham says for flowers with views behind......... I didn't try the Canon as I didn't have the money.........

Pauline

My reasoning as well Pauline.

All I can say is that the shots I've got from my 10-20mm I'm delighted with and I pixel peep all the time!
There's plenty of reviews on the web that do comparisons with various other lenses. I've seen good and bad for every lens out there. The Sigma generally holds up extremely well when compared to other makes.