Landscape Lens Sugestions Please

[dennykyser]

I really want to get out and do some landscape pictures before winter is over but after Christmas, and buying my 10D Very limited to cash. Could use some sugestions. I did just purchase the 50mm 1.8 lens and have a great 100mm 2.0 usm lens for portraits. But the only other lens I have is the inexpensive one that came with my Elan 7E the 28-105mm f/4-5.6 USM. I have heard that this lens will not take very good pics with the 10D and to be honest have not tried many but the lens didnt impress me the few I did take.(could have been because was my first few pics with the 10D)

What would you sugest for landscapes, eventually I wanto to get the 28-135mm f/3.5-5.6 IS Image Stabilizer USM but that will be later this summer.

Thanks for any advice.

[fwhitesides]

Ideally, you'd get the 17-40L and probably also Sigma's 12-24. If you're strapped for cash like me, you use your so-so 18-55 kit lens until you can afford something better. I'm biased toward the ultra-wide angle, so maybe you will be happy with something like a 24-70. For me, 18mm is the *starting point* for landscapes (at least on DSLRS with the 1.6x factor).

[Whaler]

Take a long hard look at the 17-40mm "L" f4 or if you've got bux deluxe the f2.8.

[lcoleman]

Get good at panorama shots with your current lens. They can give you a wider field of view than the widest lens until you can afford a new lens and can do some things that even the widest lens can't do.

[iwatkins]

As suggested, stitching is a great start for W I D E landscapes.

However, I shoot mainly landscapes and up until recently used the Sigma 17-35 EX which isn't a great lens wide open by any stretch of the imagination. But it did me and does produce good results if you stop it down, which you do for landscapes.

I've recently bought the Sigma 12-24 EX which is perfect for landscapes. Stop it down to f11 or so and the whole frame is nice and sharp and W I D E (and then some).

The 12-24 costs about £500 over in the UK, so I am guessing around $600-650 in the US.

Cheers

Ian

[chris.bailey]

The Sigma 15-30Ex is nice but the 17-40L is a gem

[Canuck]

The Sigma 15-30Ex is nice but the 17-40L is a gem

I like the Canon 16-35mm F2.8L I have for that purpose! The down side is the cost!

[mrwickham]

I use the 20mm 2.8 and at $390 it's one of the cheaper solutions. Great quality IMHO.

[DaveG]

Virtually any lens you can think of is a landscape lens. Super wide angles can isolate the forground. Long telephotos bring the mountians closer together and make them look more majestic. Normal lenses, with digital stiching provide an almost distortion free panorama.

So don't get trapped into thinking that wide angles are for landscapes and other lenses are for other things!

[scottbergerphoto]

The Sigma 15-30Ex is nice but the 17-40L is a gem

I like the Canon 16-35mm F2.8L I have for that purpose! The down side is the cost!
I agree. I've spent a fair amount of time lately doing landscapes/seascapes with the 16-35 f/2.8 and I've been very happy with it. The pictures are very sharp.
http://www.pbase.com/image/20018460.jpg
Scott

[westfalcon1]

I think the best inexpensive Canon EOS lens for landscape is the 20-35 non-L lens. It's not real fast but at f8 or f11, it does just as well as my 17-40 L lens. I know because I've compared them side by side at f8 and f11 and the difference is so slight that I can't tell the differenc in an 8x10. I think this lens goes for about $300. I like it and use it a lot.

[Kevin M]

Another inexpensive prime is the Sigma EX 20mm 1.8. Plenty sharp and fast - plus wide enough for most landscapes on a 10d.
some examples (http://homepage.eircom.net/~bot/paint/9.htm)

Kevin

[Mikesht]

Panorama made out of 4 vertical shots by zoom lens at 35mm.
I used Pano Tools Assembler - helper program for "Panorama Tools"
http://www.tawbaware.com/ ptasmblr_tutorial.htm#seams

http://images5.fotki.com/v55/photos/1/149429/546694/313593-vi.jpg?1074731146

[Lesmac]

Another consideration when taking landscapes is the durability of the lens.
I've used a sigma 17-35mm f 2.8 lens for the last year, whilst optically is excellent, it just hasn't coped with the rigours of walking the yorkshire dales, whereas my Canon 10D has taken all the punishment I could throw at it, including dropping it into a river (only for a couple of seconds), and once I'd let it dry out, everything worked perfecrtly.
The sigma is now back with Sigma, the diaphragm is sticking, and there is a small crack on the collar.
It was for this lack of toughness that I've invested in a Canon 17-40mm F4L lens, they are better built, and have no qualms about bouncing it around the Dales.
If you are taking landscapes, I would suggest investing in a lightwieght tripod, it's the most important accessory for landscapes.
Whatever lens you finally choose (and the 28-135 IS USM is a good all rounder), enjoy it, and don't get hung up on the technicals :)
If you have time and can be bothered , some examples of landscape shots in my gallery, taken with a variety of lenses.
http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/

Les

[gcogger]

Fantastic pictures, Lesmac :-)

[Mikesht]

Another consideration when taking landscapes is the durability of the lens.
I've used a sigma 17-35mm f 2.8 lens for the last year, whilst optically is excellent, it just hasn't coped with the rigours of walking the yorkshire dales, whereas my Canon 10D has taken all the punishment I could throw at it, including dropping it into a river (only for a couple of seconds), and once I'd let it dry out, everything worked perfecrtly.
The sigma is now back with Sigma, the diaphragm is sticking, and there is a small crack on the collar.
It was for this lack of toughness that I've invested in a Canon 17-40mm F4L lens, they are better built, and have no qualms about bouncing it around the Dales.
If you are taking landscapes, I would suggest investing in a lightwieght tripod, it's the most important accessory for landscapes.
Whatever lens you finally choose (and the 28-135 IS USM is a good all rounder), enjoy it, and don't get hung up on the technicals :)
If you have time and can be bothered , some examples of landscape shots in my gallery, taken with a variety of lenses.
http://lesmclean.photoblink.com/

Les


Those are pretty nice shots, congratulations!
Sigma should pay you for testing their equipment in extreme conditions :D