Best wide angle for Canon 20D & XTi?

[RHWeiner]

Here's the scenerio...
I'm heading to my hometown (Swift Current, SK, Canada) around Christmas and plan on taking my 20D with me. The area around there is basically fairly flat Prairie and it's my intention to do some wide landscapes at that time (snowy stubble fields, big sky). As I mostly do model portfolio shots I don't own any decent wide angles lenses so I'm depending on this group (landscape photogs) to give me some direction.

I've been reading about the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM lens reviewed here and it's much in my price range. I realize that I'll not be able to use it on my film bodies (A2) but that's okay. I don't normally do landscapes (no matter how curvy) but if I do go for this lens will the aperture range work for what I intend?

As much as I'd like to go for L lenses I simply can't justify the cost.

So my question is really this...what alternatives do I have here?

Also, my wife does do nature shots and is shooting with an XTi (Canon 400?). Will this lens work on her camera as well?

If you would please send replies directly to me.
Thanks,
Richard H. Weiner
North Vancouver, BC, Canada

[mahleu]

The lens will work on both cameras

[feppe]

An alternative is the Sigma 10-20. It's arguably not as sharp and has some funkiness at the short end, but its price/value ratio is much better than the Canon.

[mwookie]

An alternative is the Sigma 10-20. It's arguably not as sharp and has some funkiness at the short end, but its price/value ratio is much better than the Canon.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

How much can you open the 10-20 up before things start to get soft? I am also looking for a nice wide lens, but can't justify spending to much because I won't use it that often. I have a Canon EF-S 17-55 IS, but would like something a little wider sometimes.


"Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your children." Sam Levenson
[a href=\"http://www.iriselements.com]New Mexico Graphic Design[/url] – Projects (Find Stock Images– Sell Stock Photography)

[RHWeiner]

I found a US source that is substantially less expensive than most of the US suggested retail which is also far less than Canadian. Checking at L&S the 10-22 EFS is over CAD $1000. Most US retail seems to be hovering around US $570 but this place ... Express Cameras is selling for US $449. I'm sure that after S/H and Duty the cost will still be far less any Canadian source. (GST & PST would be added whether from the States or Canada so disregard this cost in terms of savings)

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=211292

But, having put the 10-22 on my 20D I can see that you really need to keep this lens horizontal or face a lot of distortion. So now I'm not so sure if this is such a great lens...at least not for my intention (minimal land/maximum sky).

Plus the other thing to take into account is that this *is* an EFS lens and so would not work with my EOS A2 film bodies, nor with any full sized sensor digital.

Don't get me wrong...it's not a bad lens, and if you got it from ExpressCameras would be a good deal, it's just so limited.

I'm now thinking of going one step up in the range of wide angle lenses which will, unfortunately, narrow the angle somewhat but will allow me to use the lens on my film bodies and any possible future digital bodies down the road.

[feppe]

How much can you open the 10-20 up before things start to get soft? I am also looking for a nice wide lens, but can't justify spending to much because I won't use it that often. I have a Canon EF-S 17-55 IS, but would like something a little wider sometimes.
"Insanity is hereditary - you get it from your children." Sam Levenson
New Mexico Graphic Design – Projects (Find Stock Images– Sell Stock Photography)
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=120282\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

I haven't tested that, as I very rarely need to use that lens wide open - I shoot it at its sweet spot on a tripod.

[Bill in WV]

I found a US source that is substantially less expensive than most of the US suggested retail which is also far less than Canadian. Checking at L&S the 10-22 EFS is over CAD $1000. Most US retail seems to be hovering around US $570 but this place ... Express Cameras is selling for US $449. I'm sure that after S/H and Duty the cost will still be far less any Canadian source. (GST & PST would be added whether from the States or Canada so disregard this cost in terms of savings)

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=211292

But, having put the 10-22 on my 20D I can see that you really need to keep this lens horizontal or face a lot of distortion. So now I'm not so sure if this is such a great lens...at least not for my intention (minimal land/maximum sky).

Plus the other thing to take into account is that this *is* an EFS lens and so would not work with my EOS A2 film bodies, nor with any full sized sensor digital.

Don't get me wrong...it's not a bad lens, and if you got it from ExpressCameras would be a good deal, it's just so limited.

I'm now thinking of going one step up in the range of wide angle lenses which will, unfortunately, narrow the angle somewhat but will allow me to use the lens on my film bodies and any possible future digital bodies down the road.
[{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]

Warning, warning! You sound a little new to online shopping. Anytime you find a price way out of line with other sellers, it is time to go to:

[a href=\"http://www.resellerratings.com]http://www.resellerratings.com[/url]  

And take the time to look up the seller. In this particuar instance, the Overall Customer Satisfaction rating for the past six months is .45 out of 10. Their lifetime rating is only .75. The all stores average is 7.29. These fellows are to be avoided at all costs.

Good luck in your search. Try Beach Camera, BuyDigital.com or just go to B&H and enjoy a good buying experience.

Bill in WV

[Goodlistener]

I found a US source that is substantially less expensive than most of the US suggested retail which is also far less than Canadian. Checking at L&S the 10-22 EFS is over CAD $1000. Most US retail seems to be hovering around US $570 but this place ... Express Cameras is selling for US $449. I'm sure that after S/H and Duty the cost will still be far less any Canadian source. (GST & PST would be added whether from the States or Canada so disregard this cost in terms of savings)

http://www.expresscameras.com/prodetails.asp?prodid=211292

But, having put the 10-22 on my 20D I can see that you really need to keep this lens horizontal or face a lot of distortion. So now I'm not so sure if this is such a great lens...at least not for my intention (minimal land/maximum sky).

Plus the other thing to take into account is that this *is* an EFS lens and so would not work with my EOS A2 film bodies, nor with any full sized sensor digital.

Don't get me wrong...it's not a bad lens, and if you got it from ExpressCameras would be a good deal, it's just so limited.

I'm now thinking of going one step up in the range of wide angle lenses which will, unfortunately, narrow the angle somewhat but will allow me to use the lens on my film bodies and any possible future digital bodies down the road.
[a href=\"index.php?act=findpost&pid=120372\"][{POST_SNAPBACK}][/a]