The Best and Affordable Wide Angle Lens for Nikon D5500: Rokinon, Sigma, Tamron, or Nikkor?

When it comes to choosing the best and affordable wide angle lens for your Nikon D5500, options like Rokinon, Sigma, Tamron, and even Nikkor can be considered. The question often arises about whether to go wider than 18mm with a lens that even includes the kit lens options. In this guide, we will explore the pros and cons of these lenses within a budget of 500-600 dollars, with a focus on both new and used options.

Do You Really Need to Go Wider?

Many photographers have opinions that the kit lens (18-55mm) is unusable, but this is not always the case. The 18-55mm kit lens is not the best option for every situation, but it is certainly not as bad as many claim. It provides a decent range and adequate optical quality, especially for DX (APS-C) bodies. For the DX Nikon D5500, you don’t need a wider or better FX lens. The crop factor of 1.5x means that an FX lens would be much wider than intended for the wider field of view. Additionally, the optical quality of an FX lens on a DX body may not necessarily be superior.

Options for Wider Angles

If you are looking for a wider angle lens, you have the choice between used Nikon 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED or a new Tokina 11-20mm f/2.8. Both are excellent options within the given budget, and I have personally used the Tokina variety.

The Cheapest Choice: Rokinon

Among the brands mentioned, Rokinon lenses are often the most affordable, with models like the 28mm or 35mm. Despite some manual focus lenses being manual, they can still provide very nice images with low distortion and good focus. Many Rokinons have proven to be excellent value for money and are used extensively by both professionals and enthusiasts.

Tamron and Sigma: Good Alternatives

Tamron and Sigma are also good lens manufacturers, particularly at 24mm or 28mm. I have owned a Tamron 60mm which, while not the best in terms of image quality or build, still served its purpose well on a budget. However, it came with the understanding that it wouldn’t be as high in quality as a Nikkor lens.

Nikon Refurbished Lenses: A Budget-Friendly Solution

In addition to the lenses mentioned above, a Nikon 70-300mm f/3.5 zoom lens, which has been refurbished, is one of the sharpest low-distortion lenses you can get within your budget range. This lens is not only affordable but also high quality, making it a solid pick for a range of shooting scenarios.

Standard Wide Angle Lenses for Nikon D5500

For those looking for a standard wide angle lens that covers the 18-55mm range, the kit lens is a good starting point. However, if you want something wider, the Tokina 11-16mm F2.8 is a great option, being both fast and a high-quality lens if you can find it within your budget.

Fixed Focal Length Lenses

For fixed focal lengths, options like the Samyang/Bower 8mm fisheye or the older Nikkor 24mm or 28mm D lenses are available. The 8mm fisheye is a fun lens to use but may not be suitable for every shooting scenario. The Nikkor 24mm or 28mm D lenses, while very cheap, may not hold up well with the resolution of the D5500 sensor and require manual focusing.

Nikon 35mm 1.8

While the Nikon 35mm 1.8 is not a wide-angle lens, it is an excellent lens for those looking to get something wider than the 18-55mm kit. It performs well with auto focus on the D5500, making it a great choice for a variety of shooting scenarios. At a fraction of the cost of the higher-end lenses, it is often the preferred choice for those looking for a more versatile option.

Ultimately, the choice of lens depends on your specific needs and what you want to capture with your Nikon D5500. Whether you go for a wide angle or a standard lens, taking the time to research and choose the right lens can significantly impact the quality of your photos.