Hobbyists or professionals, when you are a photography fan you always appreciate having beautiful images that capture the beauty of the moment. Advances in photography make it possible today to have ever more efficient devices. They give images that come closer and closer to the perfection of the human eye.
These cameras have several lenses. If you particularly enjoy photographing nature and the great outdoors, then you are definitely using a wide angle lens. With this jewel, you get breathtaking images. Obviously, not all goals are created equal. To guide you in choosing yours, our teams have sought and tested the best models. Our comparison will show you the best performers as well as the opinions of several users.
2. What is a wide angle lens?
A wide angle lens is simply a short throw lens. The fact of having a short focal length allows a wider framing of very close objects and from which one cannot move away. As an example, it can be used to photograph a landscape as a whole, in the form of a panorama. You can also use a wide angle lens to highlight perspectives.
3. Benefits and areas of use
Today photography has become a hobby accessible to almost everyone. It must be recognized that the price of SLR cameras is now very accessible at the entry-level. Once you have one, it becomes easy to equip it gradually by carefully testing the equipment.
You can think about getting a wide angle lens, the best for taking wide shots. Such a lens, therefore, allows you, initially, to capture a larger number of elements in the frame and thus obtain an effect of the grandeur of the scene.
You, therefore, have to render a larger field of view. This is the main reason why all landscape photographers take pictures almost exclusively at wide-angles. The wide angle also has the property of highlighting the perspectives and thus giving the impression that the subjects between the different shots are really very distant.
After several tests, this type of lens is therefore preferred in landscape photography, but also in architecture, to magnify the effect of grandeur.
4. What are the different types of wide angle lenses?
Before choosing your wide-angle, take the time to read the reviews and reviews and other descriptions. Depending on the use you intend to do, each model can give a performance different. During the tests, our teams differentiated the following types:
4.1 Wide angle conical perspective lens
With the objectives of this family, the image of a straight line theoretically remains a straight line. By performing tests and ignoring its imperfections, a lens of this type is normally assumed to produce an undistorted image. This is precisely the case if it is used to take a picture of a flat object, for example, a geographical map. Of course, it will be important to place it perpendicular to the map. Many opinions find that for near-perfect photos, this lens is a bit unwieldy.
4.2 Ultra wide angle curvilinear perspective lens
Appreciated as the best, the lenses of this family allow you to take pictures over 180 °. They are nicknamed fisheyes, which means fish eye. They manage to achieve this feat by offering a curvilinear perspective. Thanks to it, the image of a straight line can easily be represented in an arc of a circle.
These lenses strongly distort the images of flat objects, with straight lines curving outwards. The remarkable point many are these lenses which have a viewing angle of 180 °, from the diagonal of the image, and about 150 ° on the large edge. Tested in real situations, some even reach 180 ° on the small edge, making a circular image. covering 180 ° in all directions. A plus, according to the comparisons.
5. Wide angle lens evaluation
There is something for every taste. To help you choose, this comparison tested several of these lenses. Here are the best currently available on the market.
5.1 Canon EF-S 10-18mm wide angle lens
With its compact appearance and lightweight, this lens will be your ideal partner, it will follow you everywhere. It’s an ultra-wide angle optical zoom that will expand the field when you don’t have the option to move away. No need to move. You will be able to capture landscapes and architectures more expressively.
When used in video mode, autofocus is smooth and quiet thanks to the STM motorization. Your videos will always be excellent, delivering superb picture quality thanks to the 4-stop stabilizer and Super Spectra processing. You will no longer have blurry images due to accidental movements. Its close focus of 0.22m gives you the impression of being as close as possible to your subjects.
For indoor shots, when space is very often tight, this wide angle lens will give you the ability to integrate your entire subject into your photo. Its focus ring is manual and its aperture is almost circular.
Benefits
- The accessory is compact
- He is light
- It has a 4-stroke image stabilizer
- It offers excellent image quality
Disadvantages
- Focus is manual only
- It is compatible with a small number of devices.
5.2 Nikon AF Ultra Wide angle Zoom Lens
This wide angle lens is perfect for travel. It has a focal range of 10-20mm and a weight of just 230 grams. It will open up many opportunities for you in super wide angle photography. With it, you have the possibility to take pictures of narrow spaces, as well as wide landscapes, and achieve quality photos and videos.
It has an image stabilizer that allows you to have sharp images without motion blur. It also allows extending the exposure time. This allows images to be obtained with a high level of detail, even in low ambient and atmospheric light. Focusing is quick and precise, thanks to silent autofocus.
The excellent image quality is offered by the 14 lenses divided into 11 groups of the high-quality optical system. It only works with D3000, D5000, and D5200 series cameras. These compatible cameras may need an update. Accidental changes to the setting while shooting are not possible.
In fact, the lens offers the possibility of selecting automatic focus or manual focus only thanks to the separate focus ring, available in the camera menu.
Advantages
- It is compatible with multiple devices
- It extends the exposure time
- Focus can be quick or manual
- It adapts to all light levels
- Its optical system is of high quality
Disadvantages
- It is only compatible with a few cameras.
5.3 Sigma 10-20mm lens
This wide angle lens has a constant maximum aperture of F3.5 at all focal lengths. It is ideal for shooting indoors, allowing you to highlight your subjects. When you use it in wide angle mode, you will be able to take advantage of the 102.4 degrees it offers in angle of view.
You will be surprised by the surprising images with new perspectives that you will obtain. It also offers excellent chromatic aberration rectification, thanks to two ultra-low dispersion glass elements and one low dispersion glass element.
Its four lenses aspherical correct distortion perfectly, resulting in a compact and lightweight package. High image quality is guaranteed, and this at all focal lengths. Fast and quiet focusing is possible thanks to the HSM ultrasonic motor, as well as permanent point retouching. Whatever the focal length, the minimum focusing distance is 24cm.
It has an internal focusing system that prevents rotation of the front lens. This allows for the addition of a lens hood that retains distracting lights and thus limits internal reflections.
Advantages
- Its maximum opening is constant
- It offers excellent chromatic aberration correction
- It perfectly corrects the distortion
- It has a permanent touch-up of the point
Disadvantages
- The camera does not provide good contrast to photos.
5.4 Samyang 14mm wide angle lens
It offers the possibility of manual focus with 2 aspherical lenses and a mini focus of 28 cm. This lens has an angle of view of 89.9 ° with a Canon camera, and 93.9 ° with other mounts. It won’t disappoint you at all, and you will certainly be pleased with its wide-angle. Its sharpness is also very good.
Its FF sensor distorts a lot at the edges, which can be a gray area. The problem is not very serious, especially since it can be corrected by the computer. It is recommended for seasoned SLR users, especially for manual mode enthusiasts.
In automatic mode, it is quite difficult to operate, unless you submit to a tough apprenticeship. It requires excellent fingering for optimum focus. It has a diameter of 8.7 cm and a length of 9.4 cm, for a weight of 573 grams. It has a minimum focusing distance of 0.28m.
Advantages
- It goes with several cameras
- He has a good dive
- The accessory is compact
- He is light
- Autofocus is silent
Disadvantages
- It is difficult to use for beginners
- Sometimes the photos have to be corrected by a computer
- Its FF sensor distorts the edges.
5.5 Samyang AF 24mm wide angle lens
For seasoned photographers who like to capture moments of day-to-day life, this lens is rated as the best choice according to reviews, high resolution. This wide angle lens features fast, precise autofocus, as well as a minimum focus distance of 0.24m. It is perfect for outdoor ceremonies and close-up photos.
Its wide angle with its field of 82.1 ° and its optimal aperture of F2.8 gives you the possibility to shoot in poorly lit places. With its very competitive price, its compact and light appearance, it inherits the reputation of the brand in image quality. It weighs only 93gand is just 37mm long. Which makes it optimal for unrestrained daily use? It also benefits from an innovative fast, precise and silent autofocus system.
Advantages
- The accessory is compact
- It is effective even in poorly lit places
- It is easy to use
- Its price is very competitive
- Its focusing system is innovative
Disadvantages
- The lens appears to be shaking during filming.
5.6 The advantages and disadvantages described in customer reviews
A wide angle lens is the best investment for your great outdoor photos. Only it is not perfect. This comparison gives you the opinions of a few users who have tested it so that you can weigh the pros and cons.
Advantages
- They are fast
- They are precise
- They are easy to use
- They allow filming even in low light
- Autofocus is silent
- They can also be used for videos
- Some models have two focus modes
- The picture is high quality
- They correct defects well
- The price/quality ratio is good
Disadvantages
- Some models are difficult to use
- Sometimes photos have to be edited by the computer
- Some have only one focus mode
- They are not compatible with multiple devices
- Some devices are no longer effective if the lighting conditions are not good
- Some models are not suitable for filming in motion
- Remote photos are sometimes blurry.
6. Criteria for buying a wide angle lens
Before getting to taking pictures, our comparison helps you choose the best one for you, subject to your final test.
6.1 The type of photography
As we have already pointed out, the wide angle lens is particularly suitable for landscape, nature photos. If you plan to vary styles, it will be better to choose a different one.
6.2 The weight of the lens
This is a factor to take into account when purchasing your wide angle lens as the weight can greatly affect your performance. So choose a goal that leaves you free in your movements.
6.3 Development
Some brands have an autofocus option, some don’t. For the quality of your photos, this is an important element to check, depending on whether you are professional or not.
7. Alternatives to the wide angle lens
After our tests, it’s difficult to offer you a better alternative. With a normal lens, you will need to be able to get far enough away from your subject to take it overall, while losing quality and detail. In short, difficult to give another opinion.
