Good Choice for Wide Angle Enthusiasts
Pros:
Good zoom range for landscapes and large group photos. Quiet, fast focusing.
Cons:
77mm filter size. Didn't come with lens hood.
The Bottom Line:
Buy it if you need a wide angle and you aren't ready to pay $1000 for a professional piece of glass.
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Overall Rating:
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Author's Review
This lens is great for those who want a really wide angle lens without selling the house to get it. I think for most non-professional applications, this lens will perform just fine.
Lens Flare
I recently took this lens on a trip to Alaska. I didn't have any problems with lens flare, surprisingly enough. I would recommend a Circular Polarizing filter and a lens hood, though. These would almost totally eliminate instances of flare.
Huge filter diameter
I don't like the fact that this lens has a whopping 77mm filter thread, but I suppose that is the price you pay for having a cheap wide angle. The filters for this size are really expensive, and I recommend that you go to a good used shop and pick up some pre-owned filters. It's the only way to make them affordable.
Fast Focusing
The focusing was pleasingly quick and also quiet. Also, given the nature of wide angle lenses, the focusing range is very narrow and reducing the amount of refocusing you will need to do when changing focal lengths. Additionally, the lens is internal focusing, which is pretty fancy for a cheap lens.
Cost vs. Performance
This lens is a real winner in the cost effectiveness category. At an amazingly low $180 mail order price tag, you can't beat the performance.
Usage details
I use this lens on a Nikon F4, and in combination with a Nikkor 35-105 zoom. This version in a Nikon F mount, D series lens.
