Searching for landscape lens but no canon 16-35mm

Hello,
I am searching for a good landscape lens and am lusting over the Zeiss 21mm. However as that is not possible for the near future(still saving) I want to purchase a cheaper alternative for now.

Please do not suggest the canon 16-35mm as I have been able to try two copies(loaned from friends) but was NOT impressed. Especially compared to my Canon 24-105mm the 16-35mm is disappointing, not to mention when comparing to my(now sold) canon 10-22!

So, what is the next best alternative to the Zeiss 21mm? I do not need AF for this lens but won't mind if there is AF. I am looking for corner to corner sharpness(or as best as possible considering cheaper price then the Zeiss).
Any hidden gems out there I may have missed??

17-40

Sigma 18-35 1.8 is tack sharp

what body are you using?

haven't used it personally, but people seem to really like the 14mm samyang. there is distortion but using a lens profile you can easily fix it. This also fits into a budget really well.

speaking of, what is your budget?

you should try and provide as much information as possible when asking for lens advice.

Contax Zeiss 28mm 2.8 (distagon not biogon)

This is really imho the most underrated zeiss lens.. sharp, nice bokeh, focuses very close, and has 3d pop. (MMJ version)

It might not be wide enough for what you are looking for, but it certainly is an option.

I am not sure I really like the zeiss 25mm.. First it's really a 26mm lens and I don't think it's quite sharp or zeiss like as the 28mm version.

The 28 or the 50 is my walk around lens when I'm not in the mood to carry the 24-105.

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1890 x 1260

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2126 x 1459

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I use the Tokina 11-16 F2.8 and at 5.6-11 is produces nice images

Dooku wrote in post #16480970
Hello,
Please do not suggest the canon 16-35mm as I have been able to try two copies(loaned from friends) but was NOT impressed. Especially compared to my Canon 24-105mm the 16-35mm is disappointing, not to mention when comparing to my(now sold) canon 10-22!

That's my opinion as well. My 16-35 was a severe disappointment given the amount of hype it got when first released.

My personal choice would be my 24-70L or even the 70-200L, both are razor sharp and I am naturally drawn to longer focal lengths rather than wide angle.

Dooku wrote in post #16480970
I am searching for a good landscape lens and am lusting over the Zeiss 21mm. However as that is not possible for the near future(still saving) I want to purchase a cheaper alternative for now.

Please do not suggest the canon 16-35mm as I have been able to try two copies(loaned from friends) but was NOT impressed. Especially compared to my Canon 24-105mm the 16-35mm is disappointing, not to mention when comparing to my(now sold) canon 10-22!

So, what is the next best alternative to the Zeiss 21mm? I do not need AF for this lens but won't mind if there is AF. I am looking for corner to corner sharpness(or as best as possible considering cheaper price then the Zeiss).
Any hidden gems out there I may have missed??

Question # 1: What do you consider a "landscape" lens. I have shot very nice landscapes with a 300mm as well as an 8mm fisheye. Are you looking for a wide-angle or ultra-wide angle (UWA) lens like a 16mm, 24mm or 35mm or a more standard focal length lens like a 50mm?

Question # 2: Did you use the 16-35mm version II, or version I? The version II is quite sharp even in the corners, but you need to be at f/5.6-8. Typically, this is not an issue when shooting landscapes since aperture is usually set to f/8-11 for adequate depth of field.

Question # 3: If neither zooming nor AF is an issue, have you looked at the tilt-shift lenses? Either of the Canon TS-E lenses are great for landscapes. The 17mm TS-E is an amazing lens as is the 24mm TS-E II.

Sorry about that, it seems I did not make it clear that I use a full frame body now(6D). I only mentioned I sold the canon 10-22mm, so that may explain the Sigma 18-35mm suggestion, which is not useful to me.

But I am already investigating some of the other suggestions!
Any help is much appreciated.

EDIT: budget for now is up to $600

Canon recently came out with their new line of wide angle primes with image stabilization. There's a 24mm F/2.8 IS, a 28mm f/2.8 IS and a 35mm f/2.0 IS. I've had my eye on the 35mm for some time. It appears to be very sharp and has a very nice bokeh when shooting wide open. Not that it will serve you when shooting landscapes, but it's nice to have.

The Sigma 35mm f/1.4 is also a nice lens that gets great reviews, but it may be slightly more than you're willing to spend.

Good luck.

turbotony wrote in post #16481106
I use the Tokina 11-16 F2.8 and at 5.6-11 is produces nice images

Do you use your Tokina 11-16 on your 1D Mark II? People say that it can be used on full frame, just name below 12mm.

Dooku wrote in post #16481128
Sorry about that, it seems I did not make it clear that I use a full frame body now(6D). I only mentioned I sold the canon 10-22mm, so that may explain the Sigma 18-35mm suggestion, which is not useful to me.

But I am already investigating some of the other suggestions!
Any help is much appreciated.

EDIT: budget for now is up to $600

I wasn't impressed with the 16-35L II and started shooting with the Samyang 14mm.

Check out this link:
http://www.3d-kraft.com …camerasandlense​s&Itemid=2

I was really impressed with the Samyang and the price can't be beat. The only issue is whether you like shooting ultra-wide or not. Since it's a prime, that's all you get and it's REALLY wide.

Dooku wrote in post #16480970
Hello,
I am searching for a good landscape lens and am lusting over the Zeiss 21mm. However as that is not possible for the near future(still saving) I want to purchase a cheaper alternative for now.

Please do not suggest the canon 16-35mm as I have been able to try two copies(loaned from friends) but was NOT impressed. Especially compared to my Canon 24-105mm the 16-35mm is disappointing, not to mention when comparing to my(now sold) canon 10-22!

So, what is the next best alternative to the Zeiss 21mm? I do not need AF for this lens but won't mind if there is AF. I am looking for corner to corner sharpness(or as best as possible considering cheaper price then the Zeiss).
Any hidden gems out there I may have missed??

Heya,

Samyang or Robikon 14mm f2.8

Inexpensive and is highly praised for it's very high quality optics. Fully manual lens. But you don't need AF for landscape.

Very best,

I agree the Samyang 14mm is very nice. If that is too wide, the Olympus Zuiko 21mm is also a great landscape lens...especially considering it's size and weight.

Thanks for all the suggestions. I am indeed looking for an UWA lens for this purpose. I already have and use the Canon 70-300mm L-IS also for landscapes in certain situations, but I find I am really missing an UWA.
The Samyang 14mm is indeed a very nice lens after looking at the sample thread and other reviews on the internet.

A question to members already using this lens: anything particular I need to be aware of with the Samyang when using it? Do you advise to get the chipped version?