AF-P DX 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G Useage D7100?

[mncorrado]

I have a lens perplexing issue I would welcome some guidance.  I would like to purchase an ultra-wide zoom lens for my D7100.  Of course I am intrigued by the new AF-P DX 10-20mm.  I don't have any compelling reasons to need a faster lens for the types of subjects I shoot generally.  Though I would likely use my tripod more often than not when using an ultra-wide lens.

Of course my issue is that the VR would always be on using my D7100.  Perhaps Nikon might update the firmware in the camera to resolve that "issue" though I am not holding my breath.  The lens I have been saving my pennies for is the Tokina 11-20 f2.8 DX.  Of course there is a substantial cost difference between the two lenses.  I guess I could rent the new Nikon 10-20mm and try it out in the real world to see how my tripod use may impact the IQ.

I would love some guidance in how to proceed.  I also could go with the now somewhat long in the tooth Nikon 10-24 f3.5 but that is cost prohibitive for me and I am not confident I would get say 30-40% better IQ based on that premium cost vs. the Tokina.  I suspect that at least 50% of my shooting with an ultra-wide angle zoom would be exposures longer than .5 seconds using my tripod.

I need to make a wise purchase and I am unsure of how to proceed...  If I knew for sure the VR would not impact my IQ I would just go that route with the new Nikon.  Though if there are more legit compelling reasons to go with the Tokina, Tamron, or Sigma I sure would head that direction as well.  One reason I am not too excited by the Sigma is the focus ring moves the other direction. 

As a final thought in situations where I would likely use my tripod would be with subjects more than 50m away.  So relatively distant objects.  I guess the point of my post is if there is any real world data to say IQ is negatively impacted with VR turned on with a tripod.  Perplexed I am...

Jeff

[Akira]

Unfortunately, there doesn't seem to be any addition of "VR Off" menu item.

Nikon just released the new firmware for D600/610/750 which addresses a couple of issues regarding the focusing with the new FX and DX AF-P lenses, but there is no addition of the menu item.

[mncorrado]

I was hoping perhaps the new firmware you referenced might be a step in the right direction.  Though what is right for me with a camera that is not fully compatible is perhaps not the right direction for Nikon.  Though I would hope it would.

[Roland Vink]

I wonder if it would be possible to tape over one of the CPU contacts of the AF-P 10-20VR to disable VR?

Other options to explore could be used lenses including those you already mentioned, also the Nikon AF-S 12-24/4 if that is wide enough.

[Akira]

I wonder if it would be possible to tape over one of the CPU contacts of the AF-P 10-20VR to disable VR?

That is not likely, sad to say.  D3400 has the dedicated menu item to switch VR off.  So, the selection seems to be only done on the software command basis.

[Roland Vink]

The small size, light weight, slow aperture, VR and rudimentary focus ring of this lens makes this lens is ideal for the casual photographers who likes to take hand-held snapshots.

Since you like to use a tripod, I suspect you take more time and care over your compositions. Even though you normally stop well down (for greater depth of field) I suspect a faster lens such as the Tokina 11-20/2.8, or Nikon 12-24/4 would be a better option. They will give you a brighter viewfinder image, making it easier to see your scene, especially low-light twilight conditions (which is a good time for landscape photography). The faster aperture also makes make focusing easier since the focus plane is more sharply defined. These lenses also have better focus rings, and no VR. So it might be better to save your pennies for a bit longer. By all means, explore the options and get what suits you best.

[Akira]

One of the annoying thing about the normal mode VR is that the image jumps to the center when the release button is pushed through, which make the framing a bit off.  That should be much less likely to be a problem with such a wideangle lens and that on the tripod, but I'm not sure if the fine adjustment of the frame on the tripod head would be detected as blur, and the lens would be trying to compensate for that...

[mncorrado]

Thanks for all the comments.  At this point I am likely to go with the Tokina unless something drastically changes in the next couple of months.  For "me" I believe it seems to be the right choice.

[Hugh_3170]

Don't forget the Sigma 10-20mm lenses for DX cameras such as your D7100.

[Valerie S.]

Thanks for all the comments.  At this point I am likely to go with the Tokina unless something drastically changes in the next couple of months.  For "me" I believe it seems to be the right choice.

I went through two copies of the v2 version of the 11-20/2.8. I had focus issues that I couldn't correct. I also noticed that the colors and contrast did not compare when  switched to my 24-70/2.8E. I ended up going with a 14-24/2.8G. No focus issues and beautiful colors, I was very happy even with the price difference. I bought my copy new, but if I were doing it over again, I'd buy used. There are a good number f 14-24 on the used market in very good shape for $1100-$1200. I think the reason being that people find a UWA much more involved than they thought. Plus they don't use them as much as they thought, as 14mm is pretty darn wide.

[Steven Paulsen]

When the Tokina, 12-24/f4 first appeared I purchased it right away. It's still a good performer on my D7100, however I usually need to manual focus or rely on a depth of field scale and park infinity as charted.


While there are few people who own one, the Tokie, 17-35/F4 is a wonderful lens on a FF  sensor. (It's exactly the same as the 12-24, only larger.)

Good luck.......(I also wasn't aware of the VR issue, stated above with the new P/vr lenses.)