Help me choose a new lens!

Potshot21

New member
Hello and welcome to my first post!

I am finding myself leaning into the world of landscape photography, and as such am in search of a wide angle lens. I'm still really new to real photography and until I discover if I'm going to really dive in head first, I'm limiting my purchases to a fairly tight budget.

I've done a little research and have come up with two choices:

1. AF-S Nikkor 35mm f/1.8G prime lens
2. AF-P Nikkor 10-24mm f/4.5-5.6G VR lens

I've been leaning towards the 35mm due to the larger aperture. I have it in my head that the large aperture will make this lens much more versatile and also allow for better low light shots and give me the tools to try my hand at night photography. I am worried however that the 35mm on a crop sensor D3400 will result in images that do not give a true wide angle feel and look to them.

Alternately, with the 10-24mm, I am concerned that the smaller aperture will greatly limit my ability to capture a good image.

As I stated, I a very new to this and am trying my best to understand, and as such would love some input from more seasoned veterans to ensure I am purchasing the right lens so that I can continue to grow my skills. Of course I there are any other lenses out there that I am not considering that would fit the bill as well, I am very open to guidance.

Thanks!
 
I have a Tokina 11-16 28 that i use with my DX D7100. I love that lens so much that when I got my FX D750 I found the comparable Tokina lens. the Tokina 16-24 28 They both get a lot of use with me for my architectural and landscape photography.
 

Bikerbrent

Senior Member
Welcome aboard. Enjoy the ride.
We look forward to seeing more posts and samples of your work.

I am guessing your have a crop sensor D3400 camera. If so, the 35mm lens will give you the equivalent of a 52mm standard lens, not wide angle at all. The Nikon lens is almost $800 vs the $400 of the Tokina f2.8 lens that Don suggests. I have the older Tokina 12-24mm lens which is one great lens, but I would go with the 11-16 for near the same money.
 

Danno

Senior Member
I had a Sigma 10-20 f3.5 that I loved. It is a good lens at a reasonable price. I would still be using it if I had not gone to full frame and replaced it will a 14-24 for the full frame.

I think the Tokina is also an excellent wide angle lens for your 3400.
 

hark

Administrator
Staff member
Super Mod
Contributor
Hi and welcome to Nikonites. :) Since the wide angle lens you are seeking is for a crop factor body, you will want to start in the 10mm or 12mm range. What I mean by that is zoom lenses that start at either 10mm or 12mm and zoom to out to a longer focal length. Typically on an FX body, the range would start at either 14mm or 18mm.

On an FX body, a 35mm lens is somewhat wide, but on a DX body it isn't. That would be closer to a normal lens on DX. The 35mm would be a good lens for you to have at some point, but since you have a limited budget and are looking for wide angle, you might be a little disappointed in the length.

I don't have any suggestions to offer but have read many positive comments here about one or two of the Tokina wide angle zoom lenses (the ones that have already been mentioned). The 14mm Rokinon that someone mentioned would also be a good focal length. I'm not sure it is an AF lens although it might have some type of focus confirmation chip in it. Several members also have this lens and like it.

Good luck with whatever you choose. :encouragement:
 

Woodyg3

Senior Member
Contributor
I don't think you'll need an f/1.8 or other very fast lens for landscape. I normally shoot landscapes at around f/8, even when it's dark. What you might need is a good quality tripod so that you can use longer shutter speeds. Just a thought.
 

spb_stan

Senior Member
Woody had the best solution, landscapes are usually done with longer exposure and stopped down apertures. With wide angle lenses, stopped down, manual focus is very practical and easy so some of the low cost prime wide angle lenses are good values. I have a Sigma 10-20 3.5-5.6, I use on my D7000 and 15-30 2.8 Tamron I use on a D800. I use the 15-30 as a general purpose lens without a tripod most of the time because it works very well handheld to very low shutter speeds because it has excellent vibration reduction. The Sigma 10-20 is available in f/3.5 and a lower priced f/3.5-5.6 The 3.5 version has lower distortion but I never had a problem with distortion in the lower priced version. Due to its popularity, you can find good prices on used lenses. You would save enough to get the 35 1.8 G or 50 1.8g for general photography and low light. Both are excellent lenses
 
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