Digital BW, The Print

> The "sweet spot" of especially a wide angle lens is going to 
> be better than it's edge.  But, again, all else being equal, 
> a designer could make a better lens all the way to the edge 
> if the circle could be smaller.  It's a trade-off.  More 
> money, of course, can allow them to make great retro-focus 
> lenses with huge image circles.  But they would cost a 
> bundle.  Cost is a huge factor.
> 
> I'd guess, for example, that the Canon 16 - 35 L is about as 
> good as the new Tokina digital 12-24 -- but the Canon is 3 
> times the cost.

FWIW, the best Canon lens I've bought recently is the 10-22 for the Rebel
and the 20D.  Very sharp, nice contrast, virtually immune to flare within
reason and only $900.  Really nice b&w prints using Convert to B&W Pro.
Wide angle at last for the APS sensors.

Regards,

  Ken Carney
  www.kencarney.com