Landscape Lenses

[wizzo]

Hi again! Having now decided on the telephoto lens that I want, I wondered if I can ask member's advice on landscape lenses,. I am looking at:-
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8,
Nikon 14-14mm f4 and
Nikon 17-55mm f2.8

Do any of you have any experience of these lenses and especially the 17-55mm? There is a fair bit of difference in price between these lenses, and I was wondering if the difference is justified. I should add that I've not completely discounted independant lenses. Thankyou again for all of your help. Wizzo (Kev)

[DrNickBurton]

I assume you meant the 12-24mm f4?

14-24mm - it's not possible to use filters on this lens, owing to the huge domed front element. Therefore, although this lens is the sharpest wide zoom on the market, it's not the best practical choice for landscape photography. It's designed for events and press photographers really.

17-55mm - On DX, this is more or a mid-range zoom. The wide end has equivalent field of view of about 25mm. This might not really give you enough flexibility at the wide end.

12-24mm - instead of this, take a look at the more recently released Nikkor 10-24mm f/4, giving at extra couple of mm at the wide end, with pretty much the same IQ. This would be my choice on a DX camera.

It sounds like you have a big budget, but you could also consider lenses like the Sigma 10-20mm or Tokina 12-24mm, which are not noticably worse, unless you pixel peep.

Finally, how about a prime? They fit great in your pocket!

Originally Posted by wizzo

Hi again! Having now decided on the telephoto lens that I want, I wondered if I can ask member's advice on landscape lenses,. I am looking at:-
Nikon 14-24mm f2.8,
Nikon 14-14mm f4 and
Nikon 17-55mm f2.8

Do any of you have any experience of these lenses and especially the 17-55mm? There is a fair bit of difference in price between these lenses, and I was wondering if the difference is justified. I should add that I've not completely discounted independant lenses. Thankyou again for all of your help. Wizzo (Kev)

[big bill]

Hello Kev you do not say what camera you will be using the lens on as this will have a knock on effect with the magnification factor.
Myself personelly would go with 14-24 (this would be roughly 19-32 using x 1.6 mag ) but not used to Nikon and not knowing the camera you will be using this I think would be the best one for landscape
It would give you greater covcerage of the area also a better lower aperture setting in low light conditions hope this has been of some use

[Jim Ford]

Sometimes only an ultra wide angle lens will do:

If I'd had a longer lens I would have had to stand in the middle of the A40 (it also shows the difficulty of getting the horizontals horizontal!):



I would have had to clone out lamposts and other street furniture in this one, if I'd used a longer lens:



But sometimes 7mm (14mm FF equiv) just isn't wide enough:



Jim

[wizzo]

Sorry Nick 12-24 f4. The camera I'm going to buy is either Nikon's D300 or D700. As regards budget, I've about £6,500 - £7,000 to buy a spotting scope, bino's and camera gear. So roughly £4,500 of that can go on the Camera side of things. Regarding the Nikon 12-24mm f2.8, I've been told that there may be a special attachment that Cokin produce, that enables filters to be used on the lens. I believe that the 17mm end of the 17-55mm equates to 25mm using the D300. Do you think that this would be wide for decent landscapes? I've been told that the D700 might be a better buy as it's more likely to be 'future proof'? Thanks again for all your help guys. Kev

[DrNickBurton]

Choosing the D700 or D300 will radically change for lens options, especially in the wide angle range.

For DX I'd recomend the 10-24mm f/4, as mentioned previously

For FX, there are more choices. The first is to decide between a zoom and one or more primes.

If you go for a zoom, then the 17-35mm f/2.8 is the obvious choice. IQ nearly as good as the 14-24mm, will accept filters, not as bulky as the 14-24mm.

Alternatively, you could use one or two primes. These are popular with FX shooters, as they are small and light to carry, and afford excellent IQ.

I'd recomend any of the Zeiss ZF range, the Voigtlander 20mm f/3.5, or any of the Nikon ais lenses (say a 20mm or a 24mm). These are all manual focus lenses, but AF is unnecessary for landscape anyway.

By the way, Cokin do indeed make a filter holder for the 14-24mm, but it costs a fortune (hundreds of £s) and apparently only works for focal lengths above 18mm.

Originally Posted by wizzo

Sorry Nick 12-24 f4. The camera I'm going to buy is either Nikon's D300 or D700. As regards budget, I've about £6,500 - £7,000 to buy a spotting scope, bino's and camera gear. So roughly £4,500 of that can go on the Camera side of things. Regarding the Nikon 12-24mm f2.8, I've been told that there may be a special attachment that Cokin produce, that enables filters to be used on the lens. I believe that the 17mm end of the 17-55mm equates to 25mm using the D300. Do you think that this would be wide for decent landscapes? I've been told that the D700 might be a better buy as it's more likely to be 'future proof'? Thanks again for all your help guys. Kev

[mickmassie]

A few thoughts:

• the Sigma 10-20 is very good, it is small and very good value
• a panorama is a good way of solving the ultra wide-angle problem
• landscapes often look good when photographed through a medium telephoto, so I don't always stick to wide-angle.

M.

[wizzo]

Thanks again Nick and Mick. Lots to consider there guys. I think a trip to Jessops, to try some of these lenses out, might be a good move today. Thanks very much again. What a great forum this is!

[Richard G.]

Originally Posted by DrNickBurton

14-24mm - it's not possible to use filters on this lens, owing to the huge domed front element.

Doesn't look like it'll be long before that problem will be fixed.
Lee Filters holder for Nikon's 14-24mm f/2.8 wide-angle lens

With a Full Frame DSLR I think this is the ultimate wide angle, especially if Lee fix the filter use issue. It's too good for most DX bodies though, not convinced you would see any additional quality over many of the other good WA lenses mentioned, so really I think a body decision is required first.

[Jonsfotos]

Originally Posted by wizzo

Thanks again Nick and Mick. Lots to consider there guys. I think a trip to Jessops, to try some of these lenses out, might be a good move today. Thanks very much again. What a great forum this is!

Hi Kev,
If you do choose the D700, (Lovely bit of kit) as you know you can use some of the older Nikon lenses . I have a 20-35mm AFD 2.8 which i still use on my F5.Great for Landscape shots.It also works superbly on the D700. I use the Cokin X Pro filter system with Hi-Tech filters and it works fine.Thought it worth a mention.

Jon