Which lens?

I am looking to equip myself with a wide angle zoom to compliment
the 18-70 and 18-200 that I already have. There are three sizes
widely available:-
10-20mm by Sigma
12-24mm by Tokina and Nikon
10-24mm by Tamron

My 18-200 is Tamron which tends to be a bit soft unless well
stopped down, but I have always liked the brand. However reviews
that I have read suggest that the 10-24 tends to be softer than
most.
I too like Tokina: I have a 24-70 on one of my film cameras and
have always found it to be a good optic. They do have a tendency
to be a bit pricey though.
I cannot afford the Nikon.
I have a Sigma 28-200 for film and have never found it to be
particularly good, so I am a little sceptical about the 10-20.

My problem: will I see much difference at the wide end between
10mm and 12mm? Distortion tends to be most prevalent at the ends
and it bothers me that if I go for the 10-20 I will have
distortion at the long end of that lens and on the wide end of my
18-70 Nikon. It worries me that I may have a small band of focal
length that I cannot use - in that respect the 24 would at least
give me some possibilities. Sod's Law says that the 18-20 band is
just where I might need to be sometime!

Has anyone on here used any of these lenses and thus experience
of them and can give me advice? I want the lens for the
occasional panorama and for architecture, particularly
ecclesiastical.

I mainly use a Nikon D80 but also have a D70s which I tend to use
as a standby with longer lenses.

TIA

 

Have you considered the Tokina 11-16mm?

I know its a very short range, almost a prime but I think its quite well
regarded.

I think the Sigma 10-20mm is a nice lens if you get a good copy. I've
heard of a few quality issues with Sigma but on the plus side, there is
no problem in getting a dodgy one exchanged and they do come with a 3
year warranty as standard.

I'm a Canon man and I've got the Canon 10-22mm but I have to admit I've
not used it in a while. I sometimes wonder if I should sell it but I
bought it cheap (grey tax free import) and it would cost me a lot if
subsequently I had to buy one again.

 

Agreed.
The Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 for the Nikon or Canon APS-C sensor is tough
to beat. I use mine on a D300s.
Here are a few of my shots using the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 on my D300S.
< http://db.tt/H6jqvaRK >
< http://db.tt/MOXTZaDt >
< http://db.tt/3sN2nr2E >

 

Thanks both.

Methinks I should save my pennies and get a D300 - or even a
D600. I never get pictures and bright and sharp as that!!!!

 

Sigma quality and customer service is dreadful. I had the focusing rack
break up on my short zoom after less than 3 years and a 55-200 go out of
alignment after less than a year, at which point they refused to replace
it and sent it to Japan for some improvement, but not much.

 

They are nice pictures but the lighting is good which helps the
brightness. Sharpness is more a function of your lens and post
processing rather than your sensor. That's not to say you shouldn't
treat yourself with a nice D600

 

I find Tamron lenses more affordable but still as reliable as the others.