Which Lens for landscape photography?

[cs174]

Hi,

I'm new to this digital SLF photography and have recently bought a Canon 450D with 18-55mm IS kit lens.

I'm thinking about treating myself to another lens for landscape photography but don't know what to go for. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
cs174

[Bee_Jay]

cs174 said:

Hi,

I'm new to this digital SLF photography and have recently bought a Canon 450D with 18-55mm IS kit lens.

I'm thinking about treating myself to another lens for landscape photography but don't know what to go for. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
cs174

The 18-55 is a good start. On the 450D you will get a lot of fun out of the Canon EF-S 10-22 for landscapes - it's excellent - should get one for about £350-£400. Also look at the Sigma 10-20 and 12-24.

In the 'L' (Luxury and expensive) range you will like the 16-35 and the 17-40 but they are BIG money.

I have the Canon EF-S 10-22 which I use on my 20D, but am looking to buy something else to replace that on my 5D MkII - maybe the Sigma 12-24 or the Canon 16-35 2.8 L

Search the lens database at www.pbase.com for pics taken with these lenses for examples. (can't post a link as my Voda 3G card won't let me go to www.pbase.com) Also check out user reviews at www.fredmiranda.com.

Edited by Bee_Jay on Wednesday 3rd December 15:21

[4hero]

I have the 17-40 and it's a cracking lens. Don't have any example shots handy right now, but you will not be disappointed.

[Steve Evil]

4hero said:

I have the 17-40 and it's a cracking lens. Don't have any example shots handy right now, but you will not be disappointed.

Being a newbie though wouldn't he be best to stick with the pretty good lens that he's already got? Especially as that isn't really going to offer him anything different in the way of composition.

[SamHH]

What area do you think your current lens is lacking in? Speed? Focal length? Build quality? Sharpness?

[DMAndy]

I totally agree with regard to the 17-40L. Its a stunning landscape lens whether you're full-frame or crop. A very safe purchase. An example...

http://www.ar-photographic.co.uk/#gallery/Collecti...

Andy.

[Andy M]

DMAndy said:

I totally agree with regard to the 17-40L. Its a stunning landscape lens whether you're full-frame or crop. A very safe purchase. An example...

http://www.ar-photographic.co.uk/#gallery/Collecti...

Andy.

IMHO it's not wide enough on a crop body. I'd recommend sticking with the 18-55 for now, and possibly buying a sturdy tripod and cable release instead of a new lens?

Possibly consider buying this too: http://www.davidnoton.com/ctlfilm.htm ?

[havoc]

I wasn't overly impressed with the 18-55 (non-IS) kit lens, so I've now got a Tamron 17-50 (close call between that and the Sigma 18-50 Macro).

Been very happy with it, but the build quality is pretty mediocre...

[Bee_Jay]

Steve Evil said:

4hero said:

I have the 17-40 and it's a cracking lens. Don't have any example shots handy right now, but you will not be disappointed.

Being a newbie though wouldn't he be best to stick with the pretty good lens that he's already got? Especially as that isn't really going to offer him anything different in the way of composition.

I agree, get something wider, and the 10-22 is WIDE on a crop body...

[RobDickinson]

havoc said:

I wasn't overly impressed with the 18-55 (non-IS) kit lens, so I've now got a Tamron 17-50 (close call between that and the Sigma 18-50 Macro).

Been very happy with it, but the build quality is pretty mediocre...

Canons new 18-55IS kit lens is much improved and a worthwhile lens.

Its not fast but its sharp enough to be used when an f2.8 variant isnt needed/owned. The IS works well.

IMO the 17-40L is a bad choice for crop, the Tamron 17-50f2.8 is as good opticaly offers f2.8 over f4.0 and a bigger focal range. Its an excelent landscape lens on a ff.

Look at the Ultra wide angles, sigma 10-20, tamron 11-16, canon 10-22 etc. Non are realy cheap, love my sigma.

BTW I use any focal length for landscapes, loving using my 70-200 for now.

[Gemm]

I think 18-55 is a great focal length for landscapes, especially you are more likely to be using a small aperture, therefore softness at large aperture won't be an issue. If you've only bought the kit only recently, I'd advise you to stick to it. It does produce great images when used properly.

[flat-planedCrank]

cs174 said:

Hi,

I'm new to this digital SLF photography and have recently bought a Canon 450D with 18-55mm IS kit lens.

I'm thinking about treating myself to another lens for landscape photography but don't know what to go for. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
cs174

Suppose it depends if 'another lens' means better quality with similar range or an even wider angle

Your 18-55IS gets a pretty decent write-up (especially for the money). So presuming you want a wider angle, i'd be looking at..

Canon 10-22mm ( £472.99 retail) - Good reputation, people seem to be impressed with its resistance to flare (can effect UWA lenses)

Sigma 10-20mm ( £312.20 retail) - Very popular, probably the best bang-for-buck UWA lens.

Tokina 11-16mm ( £439.44 retail) - Slightly outside choice? Seems to review really well, plus its the only f2.8 UWA available.

I'd go have a look at them in a local camera store - take your camera and get some shots with the lenses so you can get a proper feel for them


Cheers.

[john185k]

Had my sigma 10-20mm for 6 weeks now, LOVE IT!! As some may have guessed !

[andy-xr]

Another vote for the 10-20 here, capable of some stunning pics but be careful about using it handheld

[hman]

forget the lense, just buy an x-pan...

[...Mole...]

Another vote for the Sigma 10-20mm pretty much the only lens i use.

[paul911]

cs174 said:

I'm new to this digital SLF photography and have recently bought a Canon 450D with 18-55mm IS kit lens.

I'm thinking about treating myself to another lens for landscape photography but don't know what to go for. Any ideas?

Thanks in advance.
cs174

If you want to treat yourself then another vote for the Sigma 10-20mm. But if your new to photog then you should learn how to use the camera first (IMHO). The kit lens is very capable at landscape pics. Just my experience as a beginner.

Edit: Sigma 10-20mm @ 10mm

Edited by paul911 on Wednesday 3rd December 22:07

[4hero]

I want a 10-20

[Slinky]

4hero said:

I want a 10-20

Me too!

[Bee_Jay]

I may be selling my Canon EF-S 10-22 boxed soon when my 5DII arrives so I can buy the Sigma 12-24mm if anyone is interested...