So I finally booked my trip to Zion for next month and I am beyond stoked to get some massive shots of the canyons. Ive been shooting on my 90D for a few years now mostly doing wildlife with my 100-400 but now I actually need something wide and Im stuck.
My logic was to grab the Canon 10-18mm since its so light but then I started worrying that the 32.5mp sensor is gonna just outresolve that cheap glass. Is the 10-22mm worth the extra cash or should I just go third party like the Tokina 11-16mm? I have about $550 saved up and really need something that wont go soft at the edges when I stop down for those deep valley views...
Building on the earlier suggestion, Im satisfied sticking with Canon:
- Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM: Sturdier and very reliable.
- Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM: Good value but feels kinda cheap.
In my experience, the 32.5mp sensor on the 90D definitely outresolves the cheaper 10-18mm glass. I've tried many wide-angle lenses over the years and recommend the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM for better corner sharpness. If you want speed, the Tokina atx-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF is an excellent alternative. It stays sharp when stopped down and fits your $550 budget perfectly... dont settle for the cheaper glass.
^ This. Also, be careful about flare in those canyons. I struggled with ghosting until I tried the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD there.
- Stop down to f/8
- Use a hood
Great info, saved!
Ngl I'm gonna offer a slightly different take here. While the Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM is definitely built better, the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM is actually more modern glass. It handles chromatic aberration better than the older 10-22mm, which is a big deal on that high-res 90D sensor. I've shot with both and found the 10-18mm to be punchier. The STM motor is also silent, and having IS (Image Stabilization) is a massive help when you are shooting handheld in the Narrows or somewhere dark. The Tokina atx-i 11-16mm f/2.8 CF is great for stars, but it's a bit of a flare monster in broad daylight compared to the Canon stuff. If you have the budget, the Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD mentioned earlier is probably the most pro option of the bunch, but the 10-18mm is way more capable than people give it credit for. It wont go soft if you stop it down to f/8 or f/11 for those deep canyon views. TL;DR: Don't let the low price of the 10-18mm scare you off. It's newer tech than the 10-22mm and the IS is a lifesaver for hiking Zion.
Caught this thread and wanted to add a quick warning. Zion is amazing but that fine dust is brutal on gear. I would suggest looking for something with a more solid build than the plastic 10-18mm if you are doing serious hiking. I personally found the Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX to be a much safer bet than some others. It is built like a tank and feels way more reliable in harsh conditions. One thing tho, make sure to use a protective filter. I really like the Hoya 82mm UV Fusion Antistatic for keeping the grit away from the front element. I learned the hard way that sand can easily get into the zoom mechanism and ruin a lens for good. Its not just about the sensor resolution, its about the gear actually surviving the trip... just be careful out there.
