Cheap wide-angle lens. Does it exist?

[John Gulliver]

Hi folks!
I'm at last in the process of going digital - have bought a used D50 and Sea & Sea DX-D50 housing. I'll still be able to use my 60mm and 105mm Micro-Nikkor lenses for macro work but my Sigma 17-35mm f2.8-4 EX DG is suddenly only the equivalent of a 27mm lens at the widest setting. I'd love to have a Tokina 10-17mm or similar but there's no way I can afford one at present. So is there a cheapo 10 or 12mm AF lens that would do me for the time being and that sells on the used market for around $300, or am I asking too much?
Regards to all,
John

 

[Mariozi]

Maybe asking too less...
Choices are simple in this area:

Fisheyes:
Nikkor 10.5mm/2.8
Tokina 10-17mm/3.5-4.5
Sigma 10mm

Wide Angles:
Nikkor 10-24/4
Nikkor 12-24/3-4.5
Tokina 11-16/2.8
Tokina 12-24/4
Sigma 10-20/4-5.6
SigmA 10-20/3.5

Not sure about their used prices... but I consider one of those:
Nikkors 10.5mm and the 10-24mm and the Tokina 10-17 VERY GOOD investments.

 

[John Gulliver]

Thanks, Marcelo, but I'm not looking for a good investment, just a cheap, decent lens. I just don't have the necessary to invest in a $1000 lens at the moment. From reviews on the web, it looks as though the Tokina 12-24mm f4 at around $400 in the USA is a good buy, though. If I could find a used one at about $100 less it would be great. Thanks agaijn for your help.
John

 

[kidsdream]

I love the 10.5 as well but it is too wide for many shots.

The other good choice would be the Sigma 10-20, a much prefered choice over the expensive Nikkor 12/24 which is a great Topside lens but marginal UW. There is a use one on ebay and might be had for $350

 

[John Gulliver]

Thanks a lot! I'll bid on the Sigma 10-20mm.
Regards,
John

 

[jcclink]

Does S&S have a dome port for that lens? Need extension ring? Zoom gear? Does it require a diopter?

I disagree that the 12-24 is marginal u/w. It depends on setup. The biggest complaint seems to be soft edges. A diopter fixes this.

 

[John Gulliver]

I love the 10.5 as well but it is too wide for many shots.

The other good choice would be the Sigma 10-20, a much prefered choice over the expensive Nikkor 12/24 which is a great Topside lens but marginal UW. There is a use one on ebay and might be had for $350

Does S&S have a dome port for that lens? Need extension ring? Zoom gear? Does it require a diopter?

I disagree that the 12-24 is marginal u/w. It depends on setup. The biggest complaint seems to be soft edges. A diopter fixes this.

There probably isn't a zoom gear but so what? I'll set it to 10mm and use it as a fixed lens. The dimensions are almost exactly the same as the Nikkor 17-35mm, so Sea & Sea's fisheye dome with the SX extension ring, which I already have, should work fine, or am I missing something?

 

[scottfiji]

There probably isn't a zoom gear but so what? I'll set it to 10mm and use it as a fixed lens. The dimensions are almost exactly the same as the Nikkor 17-35mm, so Sea & Sea's fisheye dome with the SX extension ring, which I already have, should work fine, or am I missing something?

John, your not missing anything, you'll be fine. The sigma 10-20mm has a good reputation for underwater use. With a minimum focus distance of 24cm, you can probably get good sharpness without a diopter, give it a try.

 

[Chuck Tribolet]

There probably isn't a zoom gear but so what? I'll set it to 10mm and use it as a fixed lens. The dimensions are almost exactly the same as the Nikkor 17-35mm, so Sea & Sea's fisheye dome with the SX extension ring, which I already have, should work fine, or am I missing something?

What counts for the length of the extension is where the nodal
point of the lens is, not the dimensions of the lens.

 

[John Gulliver]

John, your not missing anything, you'll be fine. The sigma 10-20mm has a good reputation for underwater use. With a minimum focus distance of 24cm, you can probably get good sharpness without a diopter, give it a try.

Great! Many thanks! In fact, thanks to all who have advised me on this!
John