Affordable Fast UWAs

[Matt W.]

That's probably a better way to state it: it's a choice. Either way, it is certainly useful to know that there's almost always that huge jump in sharpness at that specific stop increment.

As for trying new gear, I am always in favor of testing out, personally, as much as I can get my hands on. Compared to most of you, I'm very much "just starting out" At this specific point in time, renting a whole kit just to test is not monetarily responsible of me. Perhaps I can rent 1 or 2 though . . .

If you like sharp, super speeds might not be your thing. Wide open they have good resolution but poor contrast and super crazy coma-esque blobs around highlights.

They aren't pretty like Cooke lenses, which are also a bit hazy wide open, but they have character. I love them! So small and fast.

I'd avoid shooting wide open more to save your AC's sanity but, just personally, I just don't care about resolution that much. Normally I like a 2.8/4 split when I can get it, but there's this thing with wide angle lenses and shallow focus (2001, Tree of Life, and Fincher's recent work has this style) that is just breathtaking. If resolution were the only goal, no one would use on-lens diffusion or use vintage lenses, either. Past a certain point it gets hairy, but, you know, you go as far as you can up to that point. For me losing resolution when opening up is a non-issue so long as the style calls for shallow focus and doesn't need to be clinically sharp, even though obviously I'm in the minority in thinking that way.

I think I might just stick with the 11-16mm Tokina.

 

[Nick Morrison]

I'd avoid shooting wide open more to save your AC's sanity but, just personally, I just don't care about resolution that much. Normally I like a 2.8/4 split when I can get it, but there's this thing with wide angle lenses and shallow focus (2001, Tree of Life, and Fincher's recent work has this style) that is just breathtaking. If resolution were the only goal, no one would use on-lens diffusion. Past a certain point it gets hairy, but, you know, whatever. For me losing resolution when opening up is a non-issue so long as the style calls for shallow focus and doesn't need to be clinically sharp, even though obviously I'm way in the minority in thinking that.

I think I might just stick with the 11-16mm Tokina.

I totally applaud your approach to sharpness/resolution, and totally agree. As you say, if sharpness were such a deal breaker, then we wouldn't have so much on-lens diffusion on so many MAJOR Hollywood features. And that "softness" is a look, that can be gorgeous, I totally agree. I can be a very compelling creative choice.

AND YES...wide epen on wide angles can be...breathtaking.