Wide field lens for 350d

[floreatfocuser]

What lens do people use for wide field, tracked shots of the milky way etc?

Been using standard lens that came with camera but have been thinking about the 50mm f1.8 canon.

This is within my price range but could go a bit higher.

Any suggestions

[Ingo]

50mm F1.8 is a great lens. If you want some really good stuff, get a 17-40mm F2.8L :thumbsup:

[RB]

I think you mean 17-40mm f/4L.

Another nice widefield lens is the EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5.
Although it might be a bit too wide for your purpose and is around $1k.

Here's a shot I took with it.

[leon]

Now that is nice Andrew, stunning image, pity about the plane trail.

Leon

[RB]

Actually Leon I like it better with the plane trail, to me it adds a sense of realism and perspective.
But I've had comments either way so as usual it's personal preference.

Cheers

[John K]

The Sigma 17-70DC Macro is very good as well if your budget is in the $400-$500 range.

See some shots here mainly with a 400D:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/johnkazanas/sets/72157594361091590/

[Ingo]

Whoa, didn't know it wasn't F2.8. Why can't they make it F2.8? That's not much of a big range like the 24-105 F4L.

16-35mm F2.8L II? :D

[Garyh]

I agree with John, if you are on a budjet you can`t go wrong with the sigma 17-70 dc lense.Has some great reviews and it will be close in optical quality to the canon 17-40 f/4 ..yet half the price. Its a little soft at 17mm but from say 24mm + its excellent..
The standard lense you mention, 50mm f/1.8 would also be a good choice but if you can afford it go for the 50mm f/1.4...much better corrected lense..
Cheers...:thumbsup:

[Ingo]

Sigma does make very good lenses. I own a 24-70 F2.8 EX and I'd definitely take that over the Nikon 28-70 F2.8. The Sigma will most likely outperform the Nikon or Canon if you get a good copy. If not, send the lens to Sigma and they'll calibrate it. The L series Lenses and Nikon lenses are built a little more sturdy though, and sometimes waterproof.

$400 > $1500 for me :lol:

[floreatfocuser]

thanks for info, might stretch to sigma, but not to any of other more expensive lenses

where would i get the best price for the sigma 17-70 in australia??

[iceman]

Another vote for the Sigma 17-70. A great terrestrial lens, too.

Do some searching on the online shops, it'll be cheaper than a known camera store.

[John K]

As Mike said, search on-line.

The only issue you may have is stock availability. If you are in Melbourne Camera House had the best price but no stock for 8 weeks so I got Michael's to price match as they had it in stock. Think I paid $430 in Jan. Could be cheaper now because of the OZ dollar.

[floreatfocuser]

ended up getting canon 50mm f1.8 for now. nice andcheap, nice and light to piggyback on ETX125, and can use for portrait shots aswell

Looked at the sigma, think will try and wangle it for my birthday unless I come up with something else I need first

[iceman]

I've got the 50mm f/1.8 as well. It's nice for widefield shots, but make sure you stop it down a few stops to get rid of the "warp speed" effect in the corners.