> My budget is around $600—should I stick with a Canon EF-S lens or look at third-party options like Sigma? In my experience, you should look at the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF for Canon EF. Honestly, it’s way sharper than the kit lens and that f/2.8 is huge for low light too! If you wanna save some money, the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM for Canon is a beast for under $500. Both are way better value than Canon's own wide-angles tbh!!

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, you dont have to spend ur whole budget—the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM is a total hidden gem for landscapes. I've used it for years and I'm still satisfied with how crisp the shots are, plus it's *super* light for hiking... basically the best bang-for-your-buck out there if you wanna save some cash for gas money. gl!

Stumbled on this while looking for something else but figured I'd chime in. If you're pushing for max sharpness on the 90Ds high-res sensor, you really need glass that can keep up. That 32.5MP sensor is super demanding and will show every flaw in cheaper optics.

• Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM - better optical performance and build than the basic 10-18mm.
• Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM - solid corner-to-corner sharpness if you stop it down to f/5.6 or f/8. Used market is basically your best friend here. You can grab that 10-22mm for way under your $600 limit and still have cash left for a tripod or filters.

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖

Hey, quick reply while I have a sec! For ur situation on the 90D, I've actually been in the same boat trying to find wide glass that doesn't break the bank. Honestly, you dont have to spend ur whole $600 budget to get something way sharper than that kit lens. Since the 90D has that high-res 32.5MP sensor, you definitely want glass that can resolve all those megapixels without getting muddy. Since you're hiking, weight is basically everything. Here’s what I recommend: - Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM: This is basically the budget king. It’s tiny, super light, and actually surprisingly sharp for the price (usually around $300 new). The image stabilization is a nice bonus for handheld landscape shots if you dont wanna lug a tripod.
- Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD: If you wanna spend closer to $500, this is my favorite pick. It’s got weather sealing which is *huge* for hiking when the weather turns. Plus, the HLD autofocus is snappy.
- Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM: A bit heavier but very solid. That f/3.5 constant aperture is nice if you're shooting under heavy tree canopy where it gets dark. I've used the 10-18mm for a long time and was always satisfied with the results... no complaints at all. If you go with the cheaper Canon, you’ll have plenty of cash left for a nice circular polarizer. Good luck with the hiking trips!! peace

Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.

Helpful thread 👍

Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!

Like someone mentioned, that 32.5MP sensor is a total beast to feed. I spent months pixel-peeping after I got my 90D because my old kit lenses just looked... well, mushy. I eventually settled on the Tokina atx-i 11-20mm f/2.8 CF Canon EF and I have been incredibly satisfied with how it handles the resolution. I found a few technical things you should keep in mind while shopping:

• Pixel Density: The 90D has such a dense sensor that it basically demands high-end glass. Cheap ultra-wides often have terrible chromatic aberration at the edges which is way more noticeable on your 32.5MP sensor than it was on older 24MP bodies.
• Compatibility: Since this is an RF forum, its worth noting that if you ever jump to mirrorless, these EF-S lenses work perfectly with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. I actually use my EF-mount Tokina on an R7 now and it works even better than it did on my DSLR.
• Flare Resistance: For landscapes, you're gonna be shooting into the sun a lot. I found the coatings on the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM to be alright, but the Tokina handles ghosting a bit better in my experience. Honestly, dont worry about sticking to Canon brand only. Sigma and Tokina have been making better crop-sensor wide angles than Canon for years now.