Tokina 10-17mm vs Nikon 10.5mm

I would like to get some thoughts on which you consider a better lens the 10.5mm or the 10-17mm, I only can afford to buy one or the other i already have to 12-24mm nikon and 60mm.

This is to suit the Nikon D200 in a Nexus housing.

I would like to get some thoughts on which you consider a better lens the 10.5mm or the 10-17mm, I only can afford to buy one or the other i already have to 12-24mm nikon and 60mm.

 

This is to suit the Nikon D200 in a Nexus housing.

Get the Tokina 10 - 17 if you can only afford one. For what little decrease in sharpness you might see compared to the Nikon 10.5 the versatility and close focal distance of the Tokina 10 - 17 more than makes up for it. It will probably become your number one lens for non-macro stuff.

Good luck and enjoy.

Andy

I just used my 10-17 for the first time in Grand Cayman last weekend. Pretty cool lens. I own a 10.5, but probably would not own it if the 10-17 had been available when I bought it. You probably will not use the 12-24 much either once you get it. I think that this lens and my 17-55 will be used 90% of the time underwater. (I am not a big macro person)

My first outing:

http://homepage.mac.com/jeffinorlando/Toki...yman/index.html

Get the Tokina 10 - 17 if you can only afford one. For what little decrease in sharpness you might see compared to the Nikon 10.5 the versatility and close focal distance of the Tokina 10 - 17 more than makes up for it. It will probably become your number one lens for non-macro stuff.

Good luck and enjoy.

Andy

I would go with the 10-17.

I'll ring in for the 10.5mm. I've only played with a 10-17mm topside but I have a bit of a soft spot for sharpness and it definitely doesn't 'pop' like the 10.5mm. (Nor would any 3rd party zoom vs. a nikon prime). The close focusing is sweet, but differences in sharpness are magnified UW and I find most pics i've seen a tad soft.

Also, b/c UW photography is so much harder than topside, I personally prefer a prime with the simplicity, direction and 'focus' (forgive the pun) a single focal length gives. Zooming becomes one less thing to worry about in the complex world of UW photography.

Its always a tradeoff - versatility vs image quality. You decide which is more important for your needs.

The 10.5 is a GREAT lens. Truly the digital equivalent of the Nikonos 15 mm lens. Tack sharp. The 10.5 focuses as close as you can get to a subject without scratching your dome.