Lens for stratrails & widefields - what will I buy?

[niko]

At the risk of being flamed for asking this so recently after Mike's query....

I have my tax return and need to spend some cash of some goodies before the bills consume it all.

I have a Canon 1100D and love taking wide fields.

Should I buy...

Tokina 11-16
Samyang 14mm
Canon ????

The samyang and Canon are better prices but is the Tokina worth the extra?

Also, best place to buy (ie cheapest)?

I'd probably use it mainly at my dark site but occasionally in the city. Is 11mm just too wide for the city?

Sorry, to ask all this again but Mike's questions were aimed at the higher end.

Any advice greatly appreciated

cheers

niko

[Poita]

Samyang is a bit of a lucky dip in my experience, and the hard-stop for infinity always seems to be completely off. I don't know the other options well enough to comment.

[niko]

Thanks Peter - good comment

An accurate infinity is essential for these aging eyes

cheers

niko

[Octane]

You can't go wrong with Canon...

Places such as d-d-photographics.com.au will have good prices.

H

[iceman]

If I was still on a crop sensor, I would've bought the Tokina 11-16.

[hotspur]

I bought a Canon 10-22 mm from DWI around $700 arrived in remote QLD in less than three days,unlike Australian shops-parcels take ten days to arrive.

The Canon 10-22 may be a little slow at F3.5 for some,but I find it good for the very few times I use it for star images.Its a great light lens for every day use and landscapes.The build quality feels and seems good.Mike borrowed my copy and got some good astro images at the big star party-they might be on his site.

Above all,makes sure you spend some of that money on a lens,before it gets eaten away by bills.

[luigi]

There's no such a thing as an accurate infinity, all the lenses have some offset to allow changes in the glass because of temperature changes etc.

The Samyang is a coin toss, can be fantastic or bad depending on your luck.

The Tokina is fantastic and all of them are, so that would be my recomendation.

PS: I could've just written +1 quoting Mike's post!

[niko]

once again - thanks everyone for your helpful comments.

The tax cheque cleared today so my on-line shopping fingers are ready to rock 'n' roll!

cheers

niko