Ever since I dumped my film cameras for the Nikon D70, I’ve been bummed by the lack of a wide angle in my lens collection. I use my Nikon 24-85mm f/3.5-4.5G a good percentage of the time. However, 24mm isn’t 24mm anymore (it acts like 36mm on APS-C sized sensors). To get a lens that acts like 24mm on film, you need a 16mm lens. Nikon’s only choice is the 12-24mm f/4. But at close to a grand, is a little pricey.

I’ve been looking at the Tokina 12-24 f/4 because it’s half the price and I’m not a huge Sigma/Tamron fan. It gets very good reviews on-line, but I wasn’t sure about it until I read Ken Rockwell’s review of the four wide angle zooms for digital. Ken doesn’t usually have much nice to say about off-brand lens manufacturers. He happens to really like the Tokina and puts the rest some of my worries. I think this is at the top of my wish list.

Now, anyone want to give me $500?