Sigma 10-20mm, Tamron 10-24mm or tokina 12-24mm? Nikon D5100? - 1

Can't afford a Nikkor, and if i go for the tokina, which is fixed aperture, I'll have to buy the non autofocus model, on a tight budget. Need it for wide angle scenery and architecture, including long exposures and HDRs, Since i will be in Jordan for a month, and my primary lens, a 70-300 VR2 is pretty much useless there. I need an answer in terms of image quality mostly, since my experiences with a Tamron and a Sigma have given me soft foregrounds, but maybe because they were non AF macro lenses. The Tamron seems better than the Sigma, since its f/3.5-4.5 on 10-24mm, and the sigma is f/4-5.6 on lesser focal length, but the sigma is slightly more expensive, which made me wonder about the tamrons quality. They both have inbuilt AF monitors, which I pretty much need. Feel free to suggest another lens in the same price range if you know of any.

Added (1). @Karna: Umm. I was asking about the lenses. I OWN a D5100. That is the make of my camera, i wanted to know what lens to buy. Please read my question again.

I think the Nikon D5100 is better!
I own it!
Its your choice to select any one, be carefull while comparing them with specifications only- check it on your own.

Personally, i use the Tamron 10-24mm…

You asked this somehwere else:-)

Sigma 10-20 F/4-5.6 - brilliant lens!

Of these three the tokina trashes the competition when it comes to build quality. Optically all three aren't bad. I'd go for the tamron, little more versatile since the difference between 20 and 24 is substantial.

It sounds more to me that you're asking for advice on what would be a good "walk-around" lens. All of the lenses you're asking about fall into the "ultra-wide" category. I own the Sigma 10-20 and really enjoy it's landscape and effect capabilities. It may be a little more expensive but in contradiction to a previous post, is of excellent build quality.

With the 5100 you may have got it with the 18-55mm lens. That's a more appropriate zoom range for day-to-day walk around photography. If you don't have this zoom range, it's a good idea to source a lens out that is somewhere in this area; you'll find it extremely useful for everyday photography.

I replaced my kit lens a couple of years ago with the latest version of the Sigma 17-70 Macro OS. It has somewhat better image quality than the equivalent Nikon offerings at a very competitive price. If money isn't an issue, then saddle on up to the Nikon 17-55… Nice, pricey but nice.