Wide angle lens for 10D

[alix]

Having just bought a 10D body, I read that the current kit type zoom lens won't fit. It's something to do with the size of the sensor - or have I misunderstood?

Any suggestions for a reasonable wide angle zoom at the cheaper end of the market (£200, or perhaps a bit more)?

What about a wide angle (18/20mm?) prime lens, even if not an Eos lens if there's an adaptor?

Or do I just have to accept a reasonable lens is going to cost considerably more?

Thanks.

[Benchista]

The current Canon kit lenses use a special mount called EF-S that isn't physically compatible with the 10D and can't be fitted. Nothing to do with the size of the sensor, more to do with the design of the camera - EF-S was introduced after the 10D. The sensor size does mean that you need a shorter focal length than with film (or full frame sensors) to give you a wideangle, but doesn't limit which lenses can physically be fitted.
The solution? There are plenty of third-party options from Sigma, Tamron, Tokina and so on that should fit your budget - a second-hand Sigma 18-50 f2.8 EX was what I went for for my 10D. It behaves like a 28-80 on film, and the quality is very respectable, but there are other similar choices.

[alanS]

As Bench says, and as far as I know, EF-S lenses such as the Canon 17-85mm wont physically fit your 10D and even if they could be made to fit the lens would extend too far into the body of the camera and could possibly damage the mirror.

I think you're fine with the independent lens manufacturers APS-C only lenses, such as for example the Sigma 18-50mm, 10-20mm and so on as the lens body doesn't extend into the camera body as the Canon EF-S lenses do. You'll also be ok with the independent makers full frame compatible lenses like the Sigma 12-24mm.

Of course you're ok with Canon EF lenses.

If you're looking for a bargain I think that you should be careful with some of the older independent lenses as although they'll be ok on a Canon film body they are not always compatible with Canon DSLR's and rechipping, if it's possible, might be too expensive.

When I had a 10D I used a Sigma 28-300mm and a Canon 50mm F2.5.

[Benchista]

Yeah, my old Sigma 18mm f3.5 wouldn't work with the 10D and couldn't be rechipped, sadly.

[alanS]

Just a thought but I fancied one of those Vivitar / Cosina / Whatever badge 19-35mm's. They seem to work with almost any camera body and can be used on film and digital. As far as I know a few people here use them.

19-35mm isn't a bad range on an APS-C, not really wide and not really long but I could live with one. If you're lucky you can find a Canon fit one on ebay, there's one there now with a buy it now price of £59.95.

I looked for one a while ago but I ended up getting a Canon 20-35mm that lives on my film body.

[Malcolm_Stewart]

...
What about a wide angle (18/20mm?) prime lens, even if not an Eos lens if there's an adaptor?
...
Thanks.

When a 10D was my main body, I bought an EF20 f2.8 USM (equiv 32mm on FF) for my modest wide-angle. Using just the central portion of the FF coverage it did very well indeed, certainly at my commonly used apertures of f5.6 and f8. Unfortunately, the 20 f2.8 now seems to have risen in price on the s/h market, but you might still be lucky.

Another lens which did very well on the 10D was my EF35 f2, a slightly long standard lens type of view. That one still gives really excellent service on my 5D.

[alix]

Thanks for the suggestions, everyone. I checked for that Cosina 19-35mm lens on ebay and, while trying to find reviews of it, discovered it could be bought through Amazon. Actually, although it's Amazon.uk, the lenses come from the US (like the ebay one).

In addition to ebay, I'm checking Amateur Photographer adverts for shops which sell used equipment. I've bought from Ffordes (that's where I got the 10D) but have no personal experience of any others.

Anyway, thanks again for steering me in the right direction.

Alik

[daft_biker]

They seem to work with almost any camera body and can be used on film and digital. As far as I know a few people here use them.

I have the Tamron version and it does work on all my Canon EOS cameras....but I wouldn't go as far as saying I atually use it!

On cropped digital sensors it's OK and does the job but think I'd still rather have a 17-50mm f/2.8 if one can be found within budget.

[ojb28]

Just a thought but I fancied one of those Vivitar / Cosina / Whatever badge 19-35mm's. They seem to work with almost any camera body and can be used on film and digital. As far as I know a few people here use them.

I have a Tokina 19-35 f/3.5-4.5 which I use as the standard lens on my K10D (inherited from film where it was my ultra-wide). I don't know how the optics compare, (I imagine the Tokina is better) but the build is much better than the Cosina/Vivitar

Pro:
- sharp. very sharp when stopped down one stop, but quite useable wide open.
- great build quality - metal body
- negligable chromatic aberration and easy to correct in PS
- low distortion in APS-C (this is a full-frame lens)
Con:
- limited zoom range (29-53mm or so)
- a little heavier than 'kit' zooms, but that's the price you pay for good build quality.
- careful with flare, though the supplied hood is effective.
- slow focussing (but I have got quite a bit of the Sahara inside mine!)

I have absolutely no complaints with this lens regarding image quality and it's built and handles very well. If I were buying new for APS-C though, I would probably look for something with more zoom range. Secondhand however it may be a real bargain. Recommended.

Good luck with your choice!
Oliver

[El_Sid]

My personal lens of choice for general use is the Sigma 17-70 f2.8-4.5. For me it gives an excellent combination of image quality and zoom range plus it fits my D30 which, like your 10D, predates the EF-s mount variation. Price new is a bit less painful than the 18-50 f2.8 and they do occasionally appear on e-bay or then used dealers at even more wallet friendly prices.

[MartyG]

As Bench says, and as far as I know, EF-S lenses such as the Canon 17-85mm wont physically fit your 10D and even if they could be made to fit the lens would extend too far into the body of the camera and could possibly damage the mirror

I looked this up back when I got my Canon 10D - it is possible to modify at least some ef-s lenses to fit the 10D, as the mirror is small enough for it not to be a problem - there are quite a number of web pages showing how this is done, such as:

http://www.richcutler.co.uk/photo/photo_01.htm
and
http://www.bobatkins.com/photography...s/efs-10d.html

I never did experiment in the end though, and went with a Sigma 18-200mm as it just seemed like a lot less hassle.

[alanS]

That's interesting, and not too surprising as there's no limit to the ingenuity of folk.

I used to have 2 EF-S lenses and I remember looking at them thinking that it probably should be possible.