What is the absolute best wide angle lens for my Canon 80D if I want to capture epic landscapes? I have been stuck with the kit lens for way too long and I am honestly just super burnt out on the lack of sharpness. I am heading on a massive road trip to the Pacific Northwest in about six weeks, so I really need to get something that can handle those crazy mountain vistas.
I have been doing a ton of digging online and it is so confusing. People keep hyping up the Canon EF-S 10-18mm because it is lightweight and cheap, but then I read a few forums where people say the build quality is too plasticky and the corners are soft. Then I looked at the Tokina 11-16mm which a bunch of guys on another site swear by because of the f/2.8 aperture, but I am worried about chromatic aberration issues I heard about. I really want that pro, crisp look but I am on a budget since the trip is costing me a fortune already. Is the Tokina actually worth the extra cash or am I gonna regret not just getting the cheaper Canon glass? I am just so pumped for this trip but I really do not want to buy the wrong thing...
Been thinking about your setup. I've lugged gear through the PNW for years, and honestly, the kit lens is a total mood killer. If you want that pro sharpness, check these out:
- Sigma 18-35mm f/1.8 DC HSM Art for unbeatable sharpness
- Canon EF-S 17-55mm f/2.8 IS USM if you need a versatile walkaround lens The Sigma is heavy, but the clarity is worth every ounce. Dont stress the gear too much tho, just get out there and shoot.
> I really want that pro, crisp look but I am on a budget since the trip is costing me a fortune already. Is the Tokina actually worth the extra cash or am I gonna regret not just getting the cheaper Canon glass? Honestly, I spent years testing various wide-angle glass on crop sensors and the build quality difference is massive. If you want that professional bite, the Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX is basically the evolved version of the 11-16mm you mentioned. It cleans up a lot of those optical issues while keeping that constant f/2.8 aperture, which is vital if you decide to shoot any night skies on that trip. The Canon 10-18mm is fine if you are mostly shooting stopped down to f/8 or f/11 for daylight dioramas, but the corner softness is noticeable when you pixel-peep. In my experience, the micro-contrast on the Tokina is just superior. Plus, the metal housing on the Tokina can take a beating on a rugged road trip way better than plastic. You mentioned the budget, but you are gonna be pretty bummed out if you arrive at a mountain range and the corners of your frames look mushy. Save a bit more if you can. Getting the extra reach of the 20mm end on the Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX makes it a much more versatile companion for the Pacific Northwest than the wider, but limited, 11-16mm.
Re: "I spent years hauling heavy glass around those..." - look, if you want something that wont fall apart when weather hits you out in the peaks, skip the cheap plastic options. Over the years I've shot all over the PNW with crop bodies, and build quality matters way more than saving fifty bucks.
- Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD for weather sealing and sharp corners
- Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM for fast autofocus and tank-like build I've tried many wide zooms and honestly that Tamron VC is super underrated for damp mountain trails. Get something sealed so a little PNW mist wont ruin your trip.
I spent years hauling heavy glass around those mountains, but honestly? It really just comes down to scouting better light. Dont sweat the gear too much, just get out there and shoot.