Affordable ultra-wide lens with autofocus for a Nikon D5000
Asked 8/17/2012
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I want an ultra-wide lens for low-light/club photography on a Nikon D5000, which needs a lens with its own autofocus motor. I was considering the Tokina 11-16mm, but I thought it would not autofocus on my camera. What low-cost DX ultra-wide options are closest in price/performance, and are there any practical issues with using an ultra-wide in a dark club?
Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
Photography Stack Exchange contributor
14y ago
2 Answers
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If you can try it out before buying, the Tokina 11-16 might still be the best option. It is less expensive than the Nikon 12-24. The Nikon is the runner up in my opinion. The two lenses are significantly different: the Nikon 12-24 is part of the 3 lens continuous zoom coverage set, the Tokina 11-16 is a Prime with wiggle room.
I say that the Tokina might be your best option since focus does not have to be very precise. The focus scale is 1/4 turn on this lens, it goes from 1ft to infinity. 2ft is over halfway across the scale. Another consideration is whether auto-focus will be effective in a club environment. It is probable that neither the Tokina or Nikon will auto-focus in a club without the af assist light on-- and that is so bright you will annoy people and disrupt your composition.
Originally by user3335. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0
user3335
14y ago
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A good budget-friendly choice is the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8 in the Nikon-compatible version that includes autofocus support for bodies like the D5000. Based on the answers, it’s generally seen as the best value compared with the Nikon 12-24mm, which is the main alternative but usually costs more.
That said, for club work there are tradeoffs. The Tokina is extremely wide, with only a small zoom range, so subjects can look small unless you are very close. Also, autofocus may struggle in dark club lighting on either lens unless you use AF assist, which can be distracting. Because ultra-wides have deep depth of field, careful manual focus may be workable in some situations.
Also consider whether ultra-wide is really the best fit: one answer notes that for stage/club shooting, a fast standard zoom or telephoto at f/2.8 using available light may be more practical than an ultra-wide with flash.
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