Lens for Landscapes and Lightening?
Mar 28, 2014 18:14:16 #
I have the 28-135 Kit lens that came with my Canon 7D and also the 70-200 "L" Series f4 (non-IS) lens, which gives me pretty good range for most pictures. However, I have been thinking I'd like to 1) Try my hand at lightening photography (We get good T-sorms in the summer here in New Mexico) and 2) I'd like to have a good all-around landscape lens (Wide Angle). Also, I read that using a good wide angle is recommended for lightening photography?
The Canon 16-35 F2.8 looks like a great lens, but it's very expensive. Then there is this 17-40 "L" Series, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6WO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p421_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=03CTHQBJV0CNRN8CWQC5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200422&pf_rd_i=507846
This is "only" an f4 max lens, but I'm thinking for most landscape and for photographing lightening, this might be a good choice? It is half the price of the 16-35 "L" Series.
Does this seem like a good under $1000 choice for what IO'm wanting to do?
The Canon 16-35 F2.8 looks like a great lens, but it's very expensive. Then there is this 17-40 "L" Series, http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00009R6WO/ref=s9_simh_gw_p421_d0_i2?pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_s=center-5&pf_rd_r=03CTHQBJV0CNRN8CWQC5&pf_rd_t=101&pf_rd_p=1688200422&pf_rd_i=507846
This is "only" an f4 max lens, but I'm thinking for most landscape and for photographing lightening, this might be a good choice? It is half the price of the 16-35 "L" Series.
Does this seem like a good under $1000 choice for what IO'm wanting to do?
Mar 28, 2014 18:24:07 #
Basil wrote:
I have the 28-135 Kit lens that came with my Canon... (show quote)
Canon has a very good 15-85mm, IS lens. It isn't an 'L' but it has very good ratings.
Mar 28, 2014 18:35:45 #
Canon Ultra-Wide Zoom EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_10_22mm_f_3_5_4_5_usm
http://www.usa.canon.com/cusa/consumer/products/cameras/ef_lens_lineup/ef_s_10_22mm_f_3_5_4_5_usm
Mar 28, 2014 18:52:28 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
Basil wrote:
I have the 28-135 Kit lens that came with my Canon... (show quote)
The 17-40mm is a great lens, very highly regarded and one of the bargain Ls in Canons line-up.
I use it on my 5D2 and love it. Its my "go to" lens for landscape.
But it may not be the width you want for crop frame.
I always recommend the Sigma 10-20mm F/4-5.6 EX DC HSM.
In spite of what you might read, this lens has very good "shoot into the sun" performance with virtually no flare (often nil flare).
I use this on my D90.
One of the cheapest options out there and one of the best.
Any reviews that rate this low - don't believe them.
Any that rate it high - believe them.
Maybe I just got a great copy but I cannot fault mine.
Buy either this or the Tokina 11-16mm would be my advice.
Mar 28, 2014 18:58:41 #
Basil wrote:
I have the 28-135 Kit lens that came with my Canon... (show quote)
Basil, welcome to the Hog.
The 17-40 is a very nice lens. It is an L lens, therefore is a pro grade lens in every respect. I do own it, but because of the limited range, gets minimal use. But it's the widest I own, so it does get used.
The 15-85 is much more practice for you, and I have also owned it as well, and it's as good as the L lenses with less build quality.
All that said, I've never shot lightning, so don't really know what is required. Though, I think either lens would work. But then again, I would also use the lens you already have. Nothing wrong with a new lens, but I've never seen a bad kit lens either. I imagine it's a little like shooting fireworks, with the white hot blast.
For landscpe and regular photography, any would work, unless you need wider, then wider it needs to be, or speed, like for indoors.
Once you are on a tripod, speed is rarely a requirement. Good luck. ;-)
SS
Mar 29, 2014 15:32:16 #
If you want a really wide angle lens then you should look at the EF-s 10-22 lens. It is the equivalent to a 16-36mm lens on a full frame body such as a 5D. You will get a very wide angle and quality lens for the crop sensor bodies. It's not an f/2.8 lens but for landscapes I never open up like this. I usually shoot f/11 or higher and on a tripod.
Basil wrote:
I have the 28-135 Kit lens that came with my Canon... (show quote)
Mar 29, 2014 16:54:06 #
Based on the responses so far, I'm starting to consider either the Canon 10-22mm or the Tokina 11-16. I have read many reviews on the Tokina from people who had the Canon 10-22 who were dissatisfied with the IQ on the Canon and got the Tokina to replace and were much happier. (of course these reviewers could be working for Tokina LOL). The Tokina is $100 less expensive, so worth a serious look. On the other hand, I've read that the Canon, while not an "L" lens, supposedly has "L" glass (just not the "L" build quality). In some side-by-side comparisons I've found, the Tokina does seem to beat the Canon in overall IQ . Still a while before I'm ready to buy so have time to look at more reviews and ask more questions. I do like the idea of f2.8 on the Tokina I must say.
Mar 29, 2014 19:52:39 #
lighthouse
Loc: No Fixed Abode
What has turned you against the Sigma already?
The F/2.8 on the Tokina is nowhere near as useful in a wideangle as you might think unless you were going to get into shooting the night sky.
The F/2.8 on the Tokina is nowhere near as useful in a wideangle as you might think unless you were going to get into shooting the night sky.
Mar 29, 2014 21:10:28 #
You can of course use your current lenses for lightning photography.
But you are seriously thinking of a wider lens. One lens you should look at is the Tokina 12-24 mm. f4. The range of this lens fits nicely to the lenses you already have. Plus it is a sharp and good lens and cheapest of all those wide zoom lenses you can buy for your camera. Here is one link to it on a sellers page http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/TOK12244C.htm
And I see it gets good rating at DXOmark.com
But you are seriously thinking of a wider lens. One lens you should look at is the Tokina 12-24 mm. f4. The range of this lens fits nicely to the lenses you already have. Plus it is a sharp and good lens and cheapest of all those wide zoom lenses you can buy for your camera. Here is one link to it on a sellers page http://www.ritzcamera.com/product/TOK12244C.htm
And I see it gets good rating at DXOmark.com
Mar 29, 2014 21:26:13 #
lighthouse wrote:
What has turned you against the Sigma already?
The F/2.8 on the Tokina is nowhere near as useful in a wideangle as you might think unless you were going to get into shooting the night sky.
The F/2.8 on the Tokina is nowhere near as useful in a wideangle as you might think unless you were going to get into shooting the night sky.
It's not so much that I'm "against" the Sigma, but I looked at both here: http://www.photozone.de
The Sigma they rated 3 stars for IQ whereas the Tokina they rate 4 stars. Their bottom line for the Tokina says: "The Tokina AF 11-16mm f/2.8 AT-X Pro DX is currently the best ultra-wide angle zoom lens for Canon EOS APS-C DSLRs. The resolution is impressively high throughout the zoom range (albeit a short one) and across the image field."
The Sigma, however, did rate slightly higher on mechanical build (4.5 versus 4 stars for the Sigma vs Tokina)
Plus I looked at reviews of both on Amazon. I'm not 100% sold on the Tokina yet as I won't be buying for a while yet, but so far it is definitely in the running. The Sigma and the Canaon are still possibilities.
Mar 29, 2014 23:49:37 #
when out of doors we are faced with two choices, outdoor scenes and landscapes. they call for different focal lengths. I have a 16-80mm zeiss that fills the bill for me.
Mar 30, 2014 21:25:08 #
This is interesting. I was looking at the Tokina 11-16mm f2.8 lens on Amazon, which was selling from some no-name outfit for $514. I was Leary about it because some of the comments seemed to suggest that if you don't buy from an authorized Tokina dealer (like Adorama or B&H), then the warranty is not honored.
But later this evening, I refreshed that same page and the price had increased to $525, but now it says the item is sold by and shipped from Adorama! (It's the same price on their own web site). Of course If I was going to purchase from Adorama, I'd probably just buy it directly from their own site.
By the way, if I do buy this, I'll give you all a heads up because it's almost a fact of my life that as soon as I buy it, it will go on sale for 15% off! (You probably think I'm kidding!)
But later this evening, I refreshed that same page and the price had increased to $525, but now it says the item is sold by and shipped from Adorama! (It's the same price on their own web site). Of course If I was going to purchase from Adorama, I'd probably just buy it directly from their own site.
By the way, if I do buy this, I'll give you all a heads up because it's almost a fact of my life that as soon as I buy it, it will go on sale for 15% off! (You probably think I'm kidding!)
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