PWILS@dbsnotes.dbsoftware.com says... (...)
>2 strikes against wide-angle zooms are that they usually don't have a >dof scale and they also usually don't focus that close. Both of these >factors conspire against near-far shots.

Add a third factor: superwide zooms usually aren't very sharp,
especially at the edges and corners. Heck, add a fourth: they
often don't have very even illumination. And, fifth, they tend
to flare more than single focal lengths. Hmmm, sixth, they don't
usually have much range. Well, seventh, they require more expensive
large filters. Uh, eighth, they take up too much space if your camera bag is short of that precious commodity. Oh, and ninth,
they cost far more than the superior 20 - 24mm that could
often replace them.
Hope this helps.