Wide Angle Zoom for Landscape Advice (Page 2): Thank you for these links - I have both LR & PS, so I have the programs and will give it a try. These may be better than trying that...

paul - uglyhedgehog.com

Thank you for these links - I have both LR & PS, so I have the programs and will give it a try. These may be better than trying that arrow as you pan and trying to keep it on the horizontal line... plus I get dizzy trying to turn that much!

Mac Loc: Pittsburgh, Philadelphia now Hernando Co. Fl.

streetshot wrote:

I have the Olympus EM 1 Mark II and the 12-40 Pro (24-80 ff equivalent) among other lenses. I bought the Pan Leica 8-18 because I thought I may need a wider angle for a photo workshop I’m going on next week to Yosemite. After seeing some of my shots with this lens and noticing the distortion at the wide angles I’m rethinking whether I should keep it. Fortunately it’s returnable ($1200). Your thoughts and specifically will the 12 to 40 be wide enough?

My 2 cents: I don't care for the barrel distortion of wide angle lenses. For me, I prefer 35mm or 50mm for landscapes/seascapes.

Rich1939 Loc: Pike County Penna.

paul - uglyhedgehog.com wrote:

Thank you for these links - I have both LR & PS, so I have the programs and will give it a try. These may be better than trying that arrow as you pan and trying to keep it on the horizontal line... plus I get dizzy trying to turn that much!

If you have the time, read through the posts at the pano forum. You'll find tips about programs (my fav. is a free program from MS), some 'how to' ideas and you'll be surprised at the variety of lenses the posters use. One tip that might be appreciated; many, if not most, times you do not need to use a tripod.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

streetshot wrote:

I have the Olympus EM 1 Mark II and the 12-40 Pro (24-80 ff equivalent) among other lenses. I bought the Pan Leica 8-18 because I thought I may need a wider angle for a photo workshop I’m going on next week to Yosemite. After seeing some of my shots with this lens and noticing the distortion at the wide angles I’m rethinking whether I should keep it. Fortunately it’s returnable ($1200). Your thoughts and specifically will the 12 to 40 be wide enough?

If you learn to stitch panos, you will never have a lens that is not wide enough. On a full frame camera, even though I have a 14-24 2.8, my go-to landscape lenses are my 45mm and my 85mm.

https://petapixel.com/2016/10/27/stitching-panorama-forget-wide-angle-lens-home/

Some of my stuff here:

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gene_lugo/albums/72157687713807602

repleo Loc: Boston

streetshot wrote:

I have the Olympus EM 1 Mark II and the 12-40 Pro (24-80 ff equivalent) among other lenses. I bought the Pan Leica 8-18 because I thought I may need a wider angle for a photo workshop I’m going on next week to Yosemite. After seeing some of my shots with this lens and noticing the distortion at the wide angles I’m rethinking whether I should keep it. Fortunately it’s returnable ($1200). Your thoughts and specifically will the 12 to 40 be wide enough?

For a different perspective on Landscape lenses (no pun intended) see some of the responses to my post here: http://www.uglyhedgehog.com/t-520438-1.html

In particular read
https://www.bestofthetetons.com/2017/04/24/telephoto-lenses-for-landscapes/
and
https://www.bestofthetetons.com/2013/08/29/distance-and-scale-relationships-in-the-tetons-and-elsewhere/
and
https://www.bestofthetetons.com/2014/05/20/panoramic-images-tips-for-getting-more-of-the-tetons-in-a-shot/

EnglishBrenda Loc: Kent, England

I don't know the answer but Thomas Heaton put a video up on Utube 2 days ago (15th) where he talks about long and wide angle lenses for Landscape. It may be useful to you, he is very knowledgeable on this matter, enjoy your trip.

billnikon Loc: Pennsylvania/Ohio/Florida/Maui/Oregon/Vermont

streetshot wrote:

I have the Olympus EM 1 Mark II and the 12-40 Pro (24-80 ff equivalent) among other lenses. I bought the Pan Leica 8-18 because I thought I may need a wider angle for a photo workshop I’m going on next week to Yosemite. After seeing some of my shots with this lens and noticing the distortion at the wide angles I’m rethinking whether I should keep it. Fortunately it’s returnable ($1200). Your thoughts and specifically will the 12 to 40 be wide enough?

My absolute favorite landscape lens is the Nikon 16-35 mm f4. The only other landscape lens I use is the 24-120 f4 Nikon.

sergiohm

Well it seems many pros prefer now telephoto to capture the details and make panoramic by combining different shots.
Also you can frame your scene so you can later crop the corners, so no need for a better lens.

pithydoug Loc: Catskill Mountains, NY

erickter wrote:

For outside nature photography, Consider doing sti... (show quote)

Amen! If not, be prepared to lose a lot of pixels if your try save edge to edge in post. And with stitch tools like in LR you can hand hold your pano shots.

catchlight.. Loc: Wisconsin USA- Halden Norway

It's all in how you use a wide angle...

Orientation and perspective is everything. I use my Canon 11-24 more than any other lens. Tilting the lens is an art you will learn. Defiantly keep the wide angel, it was a great choice. I added some shots for examples...

streetshot wrote:

I have the Olympus EM 1 Mark II and the 12-40 Pro (24-80 ff equivalent) among other lenses. I bought the Pan Leica 8-18 because I thought I may need a wider angle for a photo workshop IÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂm going on next week to Yosemite. After seeing some of my shots with this lens and noticing the distortion at the wide angles IÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂm rethinking whether I should keep it. Fortunately itÃÂ¢ÃÂÃÂs returnable ($1200). Your thoughts and specifically will the 12 to 40 be wide enough?

(Download)

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

sergiohm wrote:

Well it seems many pros prefer now telephoto to capture the details and make panoramic by combining different shots.
Also you can frame your scene so you can later crop the corners, so no need for a better lens.

Unless you want more image resolution for whatever reason. Then the stitched pano will give you that. I typically combine anywhere from 3 to 20 images for image resolutions that often exceed 100 mp, and can hit 400 mp.

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

catchlight.. wrote:

It's all in how you use a wide angle...

Orientation and perspective is everything. I use my Canon 11-24 more than any other lens. Tilting the lens is an art you will learn. Defiantly keep the wide angel, it was a great choice. I added some shots for examples...

Does the 59 Caddy convertible really have 24" rims on the front and 12" rims on the back?

Just kidding, but this image is a perfect representation of perspective distortion, creating a stylized image that emphasizes near (to the camera) elements by making them bigger. You will not see this with a longer focal length and stepping back, or if you shoot this as a pano with a normal or slightly longer lens. I have several wide and ultra wide lenses, including a Nikkor 14-24 - and though I hardly use it, there are some images that can benefit from the unique perspective it offers. I shoot maybe a dozen subjects a year with it.

paul - uglyhedgehog.com

I cannot even begin to tell everyone that has reached out to me with my questions about photography, lens reviews, wide-angle advise and now all of these wonderful ideas of how to create wide-angle pano-graphic images by not even using a wide angle lens! Wow! You all are incredible and so concerned to help others and be so sharing - I just cannot Thank You ALL enough for such experienced information that I would have spent years even trying or imagining to try.

Please know I want to Thank You all again for this information and please, please know how Grateful and Honored I am to be included in this sharing and Most Caring group of people.

gvarner Loc: Central Oregon Coast

The 8-18 will push strong verticals out or in if you don't hold it fairly level. I discovered this when photographing th hoodoos in Bryce Canyon. But it's not an unpleasant effect.

Picture Taker Loc: Michigan Thumb

At 8 or 16 you are getting int a FISH EYE lens and that is distortion. The 18mm is generally thought to be max wide angle. It is a judgement call on wide distortion. You pick what you like as to how wide you feel is distortion free.

Have fun