Congratulations Paul-Dan Dragoman, March 2025 PFRE Photographer of the Month! The theme this month was "Kitchen".Paul-Dan Dragoman - Entry 1036 Kristine Kohl - Entry 1037 Peter Wingfield - Entry 1044
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After watching the poll on the lens table for many years, I can't help from commenting on the results. I'm totally stunned that the Canon 10-22mm is the most popular lens, and it has been for the entire three or four years I've had a lens poll. Not that it isn't a great lens, it may well be the highest quality lens for cropped sensor DSLRs. I'm surprised that it has always beat the Sigma 10-20mm, in terms of popularity. The Canon 10-22mm used to be over twice the price of the Sigma 10-20mm back in 2011 when I first did a post on this subject. Nowadays, the Canon 10-22mm is only about $100 USD more than the Sigma, what a deal!
I think it is awesome that PFRE blog readers are into quality. This preference for quality also shows up in the long time popularity of the 5DMKII. I wouldn't have predicted this. I would have predicted that the cropped sensor Canon DSLRs would be the most popular DSLR. This poll shows that a large percentage of real estate photographers are using full frame DSLRs. Very interesting! This result tracks my preference, I've been using a full frame DLSR since the Canon 1Ds came out in 2003. Some people have pointed out the contradiction that if the 5DMKII is the most popular body then a full frame lens should be the most popular. More than likely not everyone that takes the lens poll also takes the DSLR poll so they don't track perfectly.
I had the Sigma 10-20mm and stepped up to the Canon 10-22mm! The Sigma always was soft on the left side of the frame (probably a factory defect). After upgrading I noticed a marked improvement in image quality and sharpness. Especially on the borders where the Sigma had very unusual distortion characteristics. I found the Canon 10-22mm used, at my local camera store and snapped it up immediately. One of the best photographic decisions I have made in years! Perhaps there are more of these lenses out there in the used market from people who are stepping up to the Canon 6D.
Yep, that's still my favorite real estate lens. I rarely shoot with it these days since I'm shooting full frame but every now and then I'll pull it out and use with with the c100.
Ditto to Jeffrey, I had the Sigma lens and upgraded to the Canon, sharper images and better colours.
I've owned the Sigma 10-20 for a couple years and never had any sharpness problems. Side-to-side reviews of the Sigma to Canon showed very similar specs, and in fact showed Sigma as nudging ahead in terms of sharpness along the edges.
Sometimes sharpness issues are just due to calibration differences and not actual optics quality. If you get a lens that seems soft, send it to the manufacturer and have them manually calibrate it.
My Sigma 10-20 is a real work horse, it's very sharp and it does what it's suppose to do. And one other thing, I can't use the Canon lens on my Sony!
I also use the Sigma 10-20 and very satisfied with contrast, color and sharpness. Actually did a comparison (unscientific control) with similar shots inside the camera store of competing Nikon, Tokina, and Tamron using my camera and reviewing the SD card at home. While the Nikon was good, it didn't stand out enough to justify the price premium over the Sigma. Arguably, Canon set the standard on the crop sensor - which obviously I couldn't test, and on full frame, Nikon's 14-24 is the one to beat.
Perhaps the one difficulty with the poll is the 4 years with the changing/upgrading of equipment over time. On the camera side, suspect reporting my D90 (or perhaps the D40) as well as the current D7000. Next year will be going full frame, debating between the D610 or D800 and the Sigma 10-20 (or Canon 10-22 for Canon users who upgrade) wouldn't be a lens used but still reflected in the poll. While the 14-24 f2.8 is tempting, currently thinking the 16-32 f4 is the better choice for RE.
If you want the best results there is no substitute for the Canon 17 TSE. I switched out of Nikon to get this lens.
When I first started shooting real estate, I did not have a wide angle lens. Money was tight and I was trying to save on every expense. The Sigma lens was my answer. I have been using the Sigma 10-20 for over a year now and am completely satisfied. So are my clients. It is sharp and the construction is very sound. However, I understand Canon's popularity, because I shoot Canon.
I started with the Sigma 12-24 on my 1DmII. It was the widest yet most affordable solution and would cover the FF I was planning on upgrading to. I made a lot of money with that lens. It was not super sharp at the edges and needed f11 to 13 to be very good but I often lost the edges in respective correction so not a big issue.
Now the 17TS-E is welded to my 5DmkIII
On a side note I picked up a Tokina 16-28 used for $600 when my 16-35ii went to the shop and it is a great lens for the money. It's not the Canon L but its pretty dam good and a great little bit of insurance!
For years I used the Canon 10-22 and always loved it. I used it first with my Rebel XTi, then the Canon 7D. After purchasing a 5D III I got a Canon 17-40 and 24mm TSE. I felt that the 17mm TSE was too wide for most shots. I also wanted to be able to screw on a polarizing filter. Canon had a great sale on the 24mm - I couldn't resist!
Here is another Canon 10-22 user and until today it is the most and best used lens of my 5 lenses.
I am a full frame Nikon (D4 & D700) shooter, and I only use Nikon lenses. My primary lens is the 14-24 f/2.8, but I also have a 24mm f/1.4, 16-35 f/4 & a 24mm T/S, among many others. Once I acquired enough visual sophistication (& enough $$$, lol) to see the difference in image quality between pro glass & all the rest, I never went back...
The Canon 10-22 is $529. The Sigma 10-20 is $429. Certainly less than half the price between the two.
@Greg - Yes, you are right, this is a re-published post from 2011 while I was in Hawaii last week. It used to be that much difference... I'd not noticed the price has dropped that much since 2011. Even more reason to like the 10-22mm!
A perfect real estate lens, Canon 10-22mm is the perfect choice for real estate photography.
i have just started taking photos wih a reflex nikon d5200(after using nikon snapshot 5100) and i was told to buy a a lens Tamron 10-24 to get started and within my buget. what do you think?
Actually, its my love of the 10-22mm Canon that is delaying my switch to full frame! I know once I make the switch, that I won't use my old friend as much. I think I need a 12 step program. Suffice it to say - its a great lens.
I love the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 on my 7D.
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