i'm new to photography, and had picked up a XTi kit... i've been looking and been reading into reviews on what lens to buy... so far i'm pretty much set on these...

EF 50mm f/1.4
EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS
EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS

and i might pick up a used 17-85mm f/4-5.6 IS just for the heck of it so i can walk arnd and not worry about damaging the other pricier lens...

any inputs?

Nikon 50mm f/1.4 vs f/1.8.

What are the main differences between the 1.4 and 1.8 besides price and speed? I heard that the 1.8 was slightly sharper but I'm not totally sold on that. Any answers would be appreciated, thanks.

Have you checked Photozone?

50mm 1.8
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikko...w--test-report

Optics: 6 elements in 5 groups

Diaphragm: Seven straight blades. Stops down to f/22

50mm 1.4
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikko...ab-test-report

Optics: 7 seven elements in 6 groups

Diaphragm: 7 straight blades stopping down to f/16

Image quality is pretty close, looks like 1.8 has a little better center sharpness while the 1.4 has a little better sharpness at the borders. But still very close. You get a little better build quality with the 1.4.

I bought the 1.8 cuz it was cheaper. I figured I'd be using my Sigma30mm1.4 more often than my 50mm anyways.

^^

Thanks for the answer, I ended up going with the 1.8 too because of the price. ;)

ok, its been months now and ive finally decided, its time for me to get an additional lens. the beginner 18-55 is great, but i want to explore looking at wide angles.

thoughts and opinions on this one?

Sigma 10-20mm f4-5.6 EX DC HSM

i tried it out at the store, looks like a very clear and clean lens and straight out very versitile lens.

still a very very very beginner so tell me ur thoughts.

sg! i just got that lens yesterday and tested it against the canon 10-22. it seemed to be on par for sharpness and quality so far and the perspectives you can have with it are pretty cool and for sure would make awesome photos. wide angle ftw :D

between canon and sigma ( i dunno if u have canon or nikon), the quality and sharpness was very close. i figured that for such a small diff in clarity, it didnt really merit me spending another 250-300 bucks extra.

quite happy with the sigma 10-20.

i have a nikon w/ the standard lens kit 18-55mm

was looking and researching for a wide angle lens. this was one of the ones that i was looking at.

you can always check pbase.com for sample shots of that lens or look here for comparison shots too:
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests
pretty complete i think :)

I'm assuming you have a Nikon D40/40X/60 since you have the 18-55 kit. You're pretty much limited to the Nikkor 12-24 F4 and the Sigma 10-20 since they're the only ones that will AF. The Sigma10-20 is great for the price and that 2mm really does make a difference on the wide end. I would highly recommend that. Just be aware with the Sigma problems and make sure you have a good copy.

For the Nikon users, I'm trying to decide which lens to get, the 17-35 F2.8 FX or the 17-55 F2.8 DX lens. I have a D200 and realistically don't see myself getting a FX camera, however, you never know. In 5 years time, perhaps all consumer level DSLR's are full frame, and the DX lens would be bunk.

At this point, everyone is persuading me not to buy DX lenses any more, however, the reviews say the 17-55 is sharper, has better bokeh and the focal range is a bit more useful, though I could get by with the 17-35 and a 50 prime. Opinions?

I'm assuming that if your looking at those lenses, cost doesn't matter that much so I'd go 17-55 right away. Convenience factor plays a big role and you don't have to bring out your prime everytime you want to shoot a 50mm distance.

so.
wide as possible
sigma 10-20 f4-5.6
or
slightly less and more fixed
tokina 11-16 f2.8

mm....

Buy the Toke. It's a truly awesome lens, and the f2.8 is great for lower-light shots. If you get a wide angle I think you'll be going wider rather than longer. I wish I had the $$ for it...

The thing is built like a tank, too.

EDIT: Yes, I've used it before. Really, really nice.

hmmm now where am i gonna find one new...or even used. :/

Broadway Camera carries the Tokina.

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3255/...813de8f2_o.jpg

Got a little toy from Taiwan.
:D

Hahaha...did you have someone bring it over? Did you pay less than local retail at least?

Yup, got it for just under 600$ CDN converted.. it's going for about 630 + tax etc local, but BC Camera is out of stock/backordered.

Then my deal was pretty smokin'. :D

I know. :( What store, and why was yours like a whole 100$ cheaper?!

From Japan. Retail was $590. I paid like $520 since I didn't pay the Japanese taxes...nor did I report it and have to pay Canadian doodies.

Anyone know of a cheaper place to get a Sigma 10-20mm Nikon Mount? The cheapest I've seen it as at sigma4less and its about $500 with shipping. If I do end up ordering at sigma4less will i get raped by customs?

I have a Sigma10-20 already and I use it a LOT. Is it worth getting the Tokina 11-16? The 2.8 is nice, but not that important for me and everyone says it's SHARP!! The 9 apperature blades should yield nicer bokeh and sunstars, which I find look terrible w/ the 10-20.

Any Nikon fans who will suggest a $500 or less lens that can take some sharp crisp pics?

Nikon 50mm 1.8/1.4
Nikon 85mm 1.8

Tamron 17-50 F2.8