Equipment for Landscape Photography

I'm going to have around $6-700 soon to spend on some more photography equipment. Mostly interested in landscape/nature photography as well as general family/kids photos.

Given the equipment I already have, here are some of the things I'm looking into. Keep in mind that I will probably buy used where I can find a good deal :

- Tripod - This is a definite must. Leaning towards Manfrotto 055xprob and ball head
- CPL filter - Size TBD based off of lens choices.
- Sigma 10-20 UWA - I tend to prefer wider angle shots so this might be a good option
- Canon 15-85 EFS - Maybe this would be a better range with a plus of upgrading from the kit lens
- Camera upgrade - Thinking about maybe selling off my XS and getting a 40d or 50d. I really would prefer a larger camera/viewfinder and LCD. I really hate the small LCD on the XS when reviewing pictures. T1i with a grip is another possibility.
- GND filters - Just starting to learn about these and not sure if they are worth it for me at this stage.

The tripod setup will take up ~$250 of my budget so let me know what you recommend for the remaining. Thanks in advance

If you want to shoot landscapes the best money you will spend is on your tripod and GND filters.
The 10-20 wide angles are used more for verticals utilizing a foreground element than for really wide landscape shots.

I have limited experience but really like my Sigma 10-20 on my T1i (if you feel you need to go that wide). It's also 77mm, which is a great/common size to start picking up nice filters for landscape use. Tripod is definitely essential.

I would go with the Sigma 10-20mm over the 15-85mm Canon. The Sigma is much cheaper and is a great lens. For landscapes, I'd add a Cokin Z-Pro or Lee holder and some HiTech filters (4"x4" ND, 4"x5" GND) and a good (e.g, Hoya) CPL. For the tripod, I'd probably save some money by going with a SLIK 700DX (around $140.00 w/head at B&H).

Upgrading to a 40D is going to cost you around $600.00. I love the live view/grid with landscapes though (among other things). It's a great camera.

Last thing I'd worry about is grip....first thing is a good tripod. You mention nature as well as landscape...thought about a good macro...Tamron seem to be well thought of. And macros are great general purpose lenses as well.

For better tripod / camera rigidity, forget the grip. Unless I'll be using a lens with a collar most of the time, I actually remove the grip from my 5D whenever I know I'll be doing a lot of tripod shooting.

The QR plate/grip bottom interface is a weak link and leads to the wiggles.

FlyingPhotog wrote in post #10253063
For better tripod / camera rigidity, forget the grip. Unless I'll be using a lens with a collar most of the time, I actually remove the grip from my 5D whenever I know I'll be doing a lot of tripod shooting.

The QR plate/grip bottom interface is a weak link and leads to the wiggles.

On the same wavelength, Jay. I was amazed when I went from a moderate tripod head to a really solid one...I have a good set of CF legs but hadn't realised how much shimmer could be generated between legs and head. And of course, a grip would exacerbate that!

HrcRacing wrote in post #10252937
I would go with the Sigma 10-20mm over the 15-85mm Canon. The Sigma is much cheaper and is a great lens. For landscapes, I'd add a Cokin Z-Pro or Lee holder and some HiTech filters (4"x4" ND, 4"x5" GND) and a good (e.g, Hoya) CPL. For the tripod, I'd probably save some money by going with a SLIK 700DX (around $140.00 w/head at B&H).

I'm leaning towards buying this setup at the moment. Thanks for the suggestion of the SILK tripod since that looks like a nice setup as well and will save some $$$.

Still considering the canon 15-85 as a replacement for my kit lens as well as a nicer 'walkaround' lens. I'll have to weigh the pros/cons of missing the extra 5mm on the wide end vs switching lenses when I need anything >20mm. Plus the extra cash of course.

strat94 wrote in post #10254745
Still considering the canon 15-85 as a replacement for my kit lens as well as a nicer 'walkaround' lens. I'll have to weigh the pros/cons of missing the extra 5mm on the wide end vs switching lenses when I need anything >20mm. Plus the extra cash of course.

IMHO, it is worth your consideration.
While it isn't a really a UWA like the 10-22 for super panoramas, the Canon EF-S 15-85MM 3.5-5.6 IS USM lens is very nice.
It is the ONLY EF-S glass I have, out of my 5 lenses.
Considering it's non L optics, it's build quality is excellent; miles ahead of just about any other hunk of glass in the EF-S line, other than the 17-55.

No, it's not as fast as that previously mentioned f2.8 EF-S sibling,
but then f3.5 isn't exactly waiting on refrigerated molasses either!

It works VERY well on the crop sensor cams. That extra couple of mm on the low end gives the FF equivalent of a 24-136mm.
For my uses, 24mm is still a decent wide-angle and overall the lens has just about a perfect a range for a general purpose walk-around lens on my 7D.

Get a remote release as well, or use your self timer. Tis best not to touch the camera once mounted on your tripod.

what are GND filters?

toadallymissy wrote in post #10350437
what are GND filters?

Graduated neutral density filters. Usually mounted in a filter holder attached to front of lens. Filters are rectangular and held in clips so they can be positioned to give the best effect of darkening sky (usually).
They come in different densities and degrees of graduation on the border between light and dark.
I seldom use them myself because I prefer not to use filters, but they can be invaluable in very contrasty situations. If you're going to buy them, go for the best.

For landscape/nature photography, I'd say forget the grip, and I'd even go further and say forget about the 055XPROB tripod, and forget the SLIK. Both tripods by themselves weigh close to 7 pounds, and will get even heavier once you add a ball head and clamp. Since most landscape photography usually requires one to do a bit of hiking/walking to obtain good shots, a heavy tripod will become more of a burden than an advantage. And heavy tripods tend to get left behind.

Good landscape shooting requires a good, stable base. Since a Gitzo would eat up most or all of your budget, you may want to take a look at the Feisol line...good quality, carbon fiber legsets that are light and stable, probably half the weight of the Manfrotto and SLIK, and about half as expensive as a Gitzo. Do yourself a big favor and take a pass on the Manfrotto/SLIK...for less than $400, you could get a nice Feisol CF tripod that weighs less than 4 pounds total, including the ballhead/clamp.

Don't worry about blowing money right now on GND filters and the like. They're great to have, but for starters all that's really needed is a high-quality polarizing filter. The lack of having a GND can be covered by taking multiple exposures and blending of the two images...I prefer using a filter, but when you're starting out the best use of your money would be in getting a stable base from which to shoot, and that's a light, stable tripod. The SLIK may be cheap (inexpensive), but its a lot of weight to be carrying around. Invest in a good tripod initially and you won't be having to pick up another one a year or so down the road.

1- Tripod/ballhead - make sure you get a sturdy one and future upgrade proof
2. Wireless remote - a must for long exposure and prevents camera movement
3. Extra batteries - you don't want to get to your location w/ dead battery
4. A bag that can carry all your equipment with weather proofing
5. If you can find an L plates, I really suggest having this one, it makes landscape to portrait switch faster. You can get this in the later but highly suggested.

All in all, other things to consider is how much weight you are willing to carry. Landscape photography requires alot of distance to walk/hike, climb sometimes. Filters are good upgrades but learn the basics first then upgrade later. Most landscape are done in telephoto than ultra wides so don't break your bank trying to get an ultra wide. You can avoid polarizers if you are willing to shoot during the golden hours and night photography. Polorizers are expensive so thats another alternative.

Thank You Ricardo.