Which wide angle lens are you using on your D3?

[cfc247]

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Hello everyone,

 

I've been thinking about a wide lens for my Digilux 3 and have been unable to find an option that would go noticeably wider than the kit lens except for the Zuiko 7-14. Although the Oly is highly praised, I have two things against the purchase. 1. Don't really want to invest into Oly glass without any plans to get into their 4/3 system (waiting for the R10), although I am interested in their upcoming m4/3 compact that looks like a DP1 with retro colors, 2. Much more than what I want to pay for occasional wide angle use.

 

Any recommendations out there for under 1k? Some comments from lenses you may have experience with would help rather than just tech spec reviews.

[ASpes]

Hello everyone,

 

I've been thinking about a wide lens for my Digilux 3 and have been unable to find an option that would go noticeably wider than the kit lens except for the Zuiko 7-14. Although the Oly is highly praised, I have two things against the purchase. 1. Don't really want to invest into Oly glass without any plans to get into their 4/3 system (waiting for the R10), although I am interested in their upcoming m4/3 compact that looks like a DP1 with retro colors, 2. Much more than what I want to pay for occasional wide angle use.

 

Any recommendations out there for under 1k? Some comments from lenses you may have experience with would help rather than just tech spec reviews.

 

IMO when we talk about glass, it all comes down to a compromise of some sort, getting a balance btw money and quality being the most common. Unfortunately there are things that can be circumvented by a good "handle" and others that cannot, no matter what you do. Wide lenses are of the latter kind, as they are much critical in design and build, and this is why the best ones are expensive (but quite a few tele lenses are more expensive).

Let me also add that lenses are usually to stay with us much longer than bodies.

 

Having said that (mind that I started with "IMO") the usual "trick" applies, used or demo items are often as good as new ones, and the saving can be significant, this way even the Oly 7-14 could easily fall into your range.

 

As an alternative you could have a look at the new Oly 9-18, a standard grade lens but user comments have been good, and if you do not need extreme wides the Oly 11-22 is a long established workhorse that is less critical in use and gives top results. Being a wide do not think the 11 vs 14 of the kit lens is a small difference in FOV terms.

Anyway both these fit into your 1k limit already as new, as their cost is around the $500-600 tag. Maybe you could have a look at the "Olympus Auctions" on eBay, they often have good bargains on refurbished samples.

 

Last but not least, an option could be the Leica R range, you can get some pretty good used glass for low prices, and a wide makes a manual lens much less critical in use that a long one.

 

As you see, plenty of choices.

 

As for me, though I use wides for maybe 5% of my pics, I have the Oly 7-14.

I remember somebody once said this lens alone justified buying into Olympus, and for what my opinion is worth, I do fully agree.

 

Just my 2 (euro)cent of course.

[Riley]

wide on a budget, two Olympus lenses should interest you

 

the ZD 11-22/2.8-3.5, list $675

 

the ZD ED 9-18/4-5.6, list $540

 

I shoot the 11-22 a lot, and its a fine lens, the 9-18 from what I see is very good even wide open but i havent been able to secure a copy yet.

 

E3: 1.3 seconds, F5.6, ISO 100/200/400, 11mm

E3, 1/50 seconds, F4.50, ISO640, 11mm

E3 1/125th sec, F4.5, ISO640, 11mm

E3 1/250th F7.1, ISO125, 22mm

[cfc247]

thank you both for your replies. In practice, do you find that the 3mm difference between the 11-22 and the kit lens noticeably useful?

[Riley]

oh absolutely

its not only wider, 14mm has a horizontal view of 63.4 degrees compared to 76.4 degrees for the 11mm. And its faster at F2.8 at the 11mm end, and sharper by a considerable margin.

 

Both lenses are pretty good value, but there is a cheaper alternative,

the Sigma EX DC HSM 10-20/4.0-5.6 at around $500

 

from what I have seen, the Sigma seems acceptably sharp, and its owners appear to like it. My only issue is that the Sigma lenses have quite variable quality control, it is possible to get a nasty one. Quite frankly f the F4 didnt bother you, you would be better off spending the extra $40 for the Olympus 9-18, which is wider anyway.