Cannon EF lens

[Jeff Russell]

I'm sure this is over doing it, but I'm in the market for a wide angel lens(es). I plan on renting a few over the next month or two to see which I like the best. I have a Xsi body.

Which lenses should I try and why? What's your favorite landscape, streetscape , or skyscape lenses? Why? What about prime lenses?

I prefer Canon lenses, but could entertain something else.

Jeff

Canon EF 16-35mm f/2.8L II USM
Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM (I used this lens on April 10th)
Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM
Canon EF 35mm f/1.4L USM ( I heard this is the best of the best for prime 35mm)


-1 spelling in header

[CZandbergen]

This is my next planned lens purchase. I would add it to your list.

http://www.usa.canon.com/consumer/controller?act=ModelInfoAct&fcategoryid=149&modelid=17518

[Mike Hollingshead]

I own the 17-40L and now the Canon 10-22 EF-s. I don't use the 17-40 much for chasing now as it really wasn't quite wide enough half the time. The 10-22 EF-s is just as sharp or sharper than my 17-40 and the contrast might be a little better. It tends to color fringe sharp contrast edges, but with any decent RAW converter this is very easily removed.

As far as the 17-40 vs 16-35 this review might be worthwhile...

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/reviews/lenses/canon-17-40.shtml

Wide angle and all the way open(probably a frequent use for chasing) the 17-40 trumps the 16-35 on there as far as sharpness by a good measure. Course it's only one comparison. Zoomed in to 35mm and it's flipped. But contrast looks considerably better on the 16-35 at F8 but more flaring.

[Ryan McGinnis]

Second the Hol. The 10-22 is the ultimate structure-shot lens. This (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digicana/2540004923/sizes/o/in/set-72157594345151045/) was shot from about 3 miles from the underside of the meso with the 10-22. In this shot (http://www.flickr.com/photos/digicana/251884035/sizes/o/in/set-72157594345151045/), the storm was nearly directly overhead. The 10-22 is definately a Do Want lens if you are shooting with a non-full-frame sensor Canon body. If I had to be stranded on a desert island with only one lens, this would be it.

[Rob Wadsworth]

I'd agree whole heartedly w/MH on the 10-22mm EF-S lens for wide angles. I think Mike has proved its value with a lot of evidence to support it. Mike recommended it to me, and I bought one. Haven't looked back since...

As far as a prime lens, the real favorite for this camera would have to be the 'nifty fifty' 50mm lens. They come in either 1.8/1.4/1.2 f-stops. The f/1.8 is only a $100 or less, and feels a little cheap. Don't let it fool you - it is still a great lens. The f/1.2 is very costly and is a part of the "L" series of pro lenses. I have the f/1.4 lens - about $200-250. This is - by far - the most fun and versatile and sharpest lens that I own. Fantastic lens. Nice build quality too. It will render about 80mm with a 1.6 crop factor camera - but don't sweat it. You can use this lens for distant shots and even portrait shots off season.

[Bryan Stokes]

Jeff,

Hands-down, the Canon EF-S 10-22 is ultimate landscape/storm photography lens for the Xsi. You will be able to capture more sky and more foreground features compared to any other lens. And the price can't be beat! (around $690) Additionally, if you can wait a few weeks, it won't be long before Canon's Spring rebates will be out and there's a good chance that the 10-22 will be on the list (savings in the neighborhood of $35-$50).

Hope this helps,
Bryan

[Erik Perozo]

Ryan,Mike, Rob and Bryan are all right. The canon 10-22 is by far hands down the best IMO. When I was doing research which I looked at every wide angle possible from Tokina - Sigma's, the Canon just kept standing out. I used this lens 90% of time storm chasing this past May. I shot on a Canon 40D body but have shot it on a Digital Rebel. I did notice shooting with the 18-55 kit lens I could never get wide enough, well this could also be bc I tend to want to hug the meso of a storm rather than view it from a distance..:). The 10-22 covered what I wanted. Like Ryan stated if I was on an island with only one lens the Canon 10-22 is it. The only thing I didn't like about the 10-22 is the fact that when using my P-cokin grad holder It tended to get into the field of view shooting landscape. This is a problem I am sure I would have ran into with any UWA lens. Oh 95% of these storm pics where taken with the 10-22.

http://perozophotography.shutterfly.com

[Aaron Kennedy]

Just to throw a loop into the mix, I have the Tokina 12-24mm f/4 and am quite happy with the lens. Cheaper than the 10-22, although you sacrifice a bit on the wide angle. Build quality is probably better by a bit over the 10-22.

Good review at: http://www.dpreview.com/lensreviews/tokina_12-24_4_n15/

[Chris C Sanner]

I have seen the 10-22 in action and it is WIDE! However, a lot of people don't know how to properly use wide angle lenses, they aren't just to "get it all in the picture" even though a lot of people use em as such. However, as far as lens quality goes, the 10-22 is a pretty solid lens.

As far as your others, the 16-35 and 17-40 are both solid lenses from the time I got to play with both a few months ago. The L series lenses as a whole just are a jump up in quality overall (of course they are also huge jumps in price).

As far as prime lenses go, Anything more than 24mm will be lacking on the wide category for storm photography. 24mm and lower are great for landscape (storm) photography, if I had the money, I would probably go after the 14mm prime lens.

Good luck with your lens search brotha, lots of options out there :)

[Darren Addy]

Just a note to the wide-angle uninitiated: don't just look at the mm. Look at whether it is a fisheye or rectilinear lens and understand the differences (http://www.arri.de/camera/tutorials/what_is_rectilinear_what_is_a_fisheye.html).

[Jeff Russell]

Thanks everyone for your opinions.

My lens is on the way. :D I ordered from B&H Photo
Canon CA102235EF
Zoom Super Wide Angle EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM Autofocus Lens for ... USA

Jeff