Which MF wide angle lens to buy? (From a newbie)

[Blotner]

Hi all—I'm somewhat new to photography and definitely new to photography on a tight budget. I have a pretty modern camera, a Canon EOS 5, and I'm looking to buy a wide angle lens for it for under $700. I have no idea if this is feasible.

I know that it must fit or adapt to an EF mount, it must have great optics, and I hope for it to be somewhere between 16mm and 28mm.

Does anyone here have any suggestions? I actually have a ton of questions for all of you guys, but I don't want to blow them all in one thread.

Thanks a lot,
Blotner

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

Welcome to Apug!

You don't mention which other lenses you have, which plays a role.

A good "first" wide is usally 28 or 24mm. Wider than 24mm is usally more difficult to use and has a more restricted use.

The (one? IMHO) good thing about EF mount is that with adaptors you can use almost every lens ever made for 35mm SLRs (losing autofocus).
For less than $700 you can get some very good used ones indeed, especially if you're willing to forgo autofocus (not that useful with a wide anyway).
Also your intended use will determine what "good" is: shooting architecture has very different needs compared to PJ.

What you can find cheaply also depends on where you are (in Europe you could even pick up some Leica or Zeiss lenses well within budget).

Re questions: Fire away!
(Just remember that some of us don't think "modern" equates with "best").

Chris

 

[Blotner]

For right now—can you suggest a fast, sharp 24mm with minimal vignetting? Also, a note: I will be in Berlin soon.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

The Zeiss ZE 25mm f/2.8 and the 28mm f/2.0 should both be excellent, are in EF mount, but are probably hard to find used and are probably overbudget new.

Adaptable lenses:
The older 25mm for Y/C and Rolleiflex can be very variable: I heard they changed the scheme at one point, in any case I went through a very poor one and a poorish one before finding my current very good one.

The older 28mm f/2.0 is now mythical and probably hard to find. The Y/C 28mm f/2.8 is fairly common and a solid classic.

The Leica R 24mm isn't worth its price, though several of the 28mms are well worth having.

 

[Laurent]

If 2.8 is fast enough for you (it is for me), then the EF 24/2.8 lens will easily fit your budget (you might even buy a 28 in addition). I'm very happy with it.

 

[alef_fela]

Sigma Super Wide II 24mm 2.8

Consider Sigma's Super Wide II 24mm 2.8. It only works with film SLR's, so you can find it dirt cheap nowadays.

Very sharp and focuses down to 18 cms!

 

[Jesper]

Have you considered using a manual Canon body?
I just checked the local ads and you will get a AE-1 with a FD24/2.8 and a 35-105 zoom at about $200. It could be that a kit like this is cheaper than buying a lens and an adapter.
FD lenses are good, cheap and plentiful.

 

[Rol_Lei Nut]

If 2.8 is fast enough for you (it is for me), then the EF 24/2.8 lens will easily fit your budget (you might even buy a 28 in addition). I'm very happy with it.

Though general consensus does say that it, like many other EF wides (there are a couple of exceptions of course), is not that good...

 

[Jeff Kubach]

I would go with the 24mm, myself.

Jeff

 

[Blotner]

The Zeiss 25 looks amazing but costs 1800 new. The sigma and the canon 24/2.8 are generally reviewed as adequate, if that. Is there any specific in-between lens to recommend?

 

[Laurent]

Though general consensus does say that it, like many other EF wides (there are a couple of exceptions of course), is not that good...

Sorry, I missed the "great optics" part, although I found that, at least for my photography, the lens performs better than the film I'm using.

 

[TimmyMac]

For $700 you can get a 17-40L. If you want manual focus IMHO get a manual body. A Canon F1N and FD 24mm f2.0 comes in around half your budget.

 

[eSPhotos]

There are tons (with an appropriate adapter of course).
C/Y Distagon 25mm/f2.8 and 28mm/f2.8
Nikkor 20mmf2.8 AIS (or 20mm UD F3.5), 24mmf2.8. 28mmf2.0
Olympus OM 21mm/f3.5, 24mmf2.8, 28mmf2.8
M42 CZJ Flektogon 20mm/F4, 20mm/2.8
All within your budget.