Lens for Smoky Mountain (NC) trip: I looked in the section on the Smoky Mountains, but did not see any info regarding lenses for shooting landscape in the mountains. I have not shot...

foggypreacher Loc: Dickinson, Texas

I looked in the section on the Smoky Mountains, but did not see any info regarding lenses for shooting landscape in the mountains. I have not shot landscapes per se especially in the mountains. I have a D7200, 35mm DX f/1.8, 50mm FX f/1.8, 18-140mm DX f/3.5-5.6 for lenses.

I believe the 18-140mm might be OK, but not sure if it is going to be sharp enough. I hope some of you hoggers who have photographed in the Smoky Mountains will have some ideas if my lenses will be fine or if I need to by and wide lens for this trip. Open to Nikon, Sigma and Tamron.

Also, how about any filters? I have not used them before.

Thank you in advance for any help that can be offered.

legion3 Loc: Deer Park Long Island

foggypreacher wrote:

I looked in the section on the Smoky Mountains, bu... (show quote)

i think the lens you have 18-140mm would work just fine I would suggest you take a tripod to steady the camera and lens

Gitchigumi Loc: Wake Forest, NC

Your 18-140mm will be fine. I expect your photos may be from the 18mm end, though. I know that seems counter intuitive, but using a big telephoto is for special circumstances, not necessarily for landscapes. Personally, I use a 10-20mm or a 18-200mm on my D7100 when in the mountains.

The 18-140mm on your camera will produce acceptably sharp photos. No worries there. If you are looking for the sharpest photos, take your time and use a tripod with a remote release or the built-in timer in the camera.

If you haven't already done so, tune the focus of your lens in the camera. The camera has a fine-focus adjustment feature built-in. There are lots of tutorials on how to do it. Hope this helps.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

legion3 wrote:

i think the lens you have 18-140mm would work just fine I would suggest you take a tripod to steady the camera and lens

Ditto.

If the OP has a photo vest/jacket I would toss the 35 and 50 into separate front pockets.

These things are uncannily handy and allow you to be sort of a walking camera bag, and they spread weight nicely and allow for filters, manuals, cellphones, keys and such to be carried which makes low shots where you are on your knees much easier when your pants pockets are empty.

I am from the Smoky Mountain area originally and, IMHO, a tripod is far less desirable there than a monopod.

The monopod can double as a walking stick on the trails and keep the camera around your neck with a quick release head on the monopod and plate on the camera.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Gitchigumi wrote:

Your 18-140mm will be fine. I expect your photos may be from the 18mm end, though. I know that seems counter intuitive, but using a big telephoto is for special circumstances, not necessarily for landscapes. Personally, I use a 10-20mm or a 18-200mm on my D7100 when in the mountains.

That's actually my walking around rig other than I have a D7200, plus the 50 and 35 for low light.

If the OP has money to spend, and a willingness to spend it, the 10-20 would be a great addition.

I bought the 18-200 because its an alternative to my 80-200 2.8 which is a great sports lens and a horrible walk around/wilderness lens due to the weight and size.

If I already had an 18-140 it would be hard to justify the upgrade to the 18-200 for most people.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

foggypreacher wrote:

I believe the 18-140mm might be OK, but not sure if it is going to be sharp enough.

As to sharpness, unless something is wrong with the 18-140, your fears are marketing induced.

Here's all you need to know ... use what you have properly. At 140 I would set MANUAL, f8 aperture and 1/500 shutter speed with AUTO ISO.

The tele end will be used mainly for critters and distant flora/fauna. Trees don't move very and most all wildlife is just plain docile unless threatened.

The one drawback to that lens is that it is slow. Its greatness is that it is light.

Also, use a comfy strap and I would definitely use the lens hood and a decent clear filter when walking trails, there is a lot of stuff to bump into.

As a last thought, when on the trails a monopod is a great self defense item if needed.

I hope this helps.

IHH61 Loc: Homestead Fl

You will find polarizing filters and ND filters very useful for stream and waterfall shots.

Hugh

Bob Mevis Loc: Plymouth, Indiana

Your 18-140mm will be fine.

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

IHH61 wrote:

You will find polarizing filters and ND filters very useful for stream and waterfall shots.

Hugh

Ditto.

Longshadow Loc: Audubon, PA, United States

legion3 wrote:

i think the lens you have 18-140mm would work just fine I would suggest you take a tripod to steady the camera and lens

mikeg492 Loc: WIlmington, NC

I have always taken my 11-16 when on the parkway and 55-300 when walking around trails. If you can get on the parkway at night a wide angle will get some great shots of the stars and city lights below. Look for the milkyway if there at night.

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

foggypreacher wrote:

I looked in the section on the Smoky Mountains, bu... (show quote)

The 18-140 is better at the shorter end, and not so great at the long end. Stopping down to F8 will provide you the sharpest results at any focal length. Generally you don't "need" a wider lens if you consider doing stitched panoramas. I wouldn't be overly concerned about a tripod, unless you are looking to do exposures that are longer that 1/30. Tripods are not a necessity for panos either.

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

Shooting and stitching panos is easier than it looks. There are free applications like Microsoft ICE.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/research/product/computational-photography-applications/image-composite-editor/

And lots of other paid for software that can do it.

This is a hand-held shot, taken at night, that consisted of 5 images stitched together:

_DSC2161-DSC-RX10M4--(19-02-18) hi res-2-DSC-RX10M4--(19-02-18)-Pano by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

And this is a 4 shot stitch, also hand held, at 1/60 using a 45mm lens on a D800 - in a relatively small room.

_DSC6266-Pano by Gene Lugo, on Flickr

You can see some of my other panos - some hand held - here:

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

Silverrails

foggypreacher wrote:

I looked in the section on the Smoky Mountains, bu... (show quote)

Just recently bought a Nikon 10-20mm 4.5-5.6 Wide angle lens, I am hoping it will be helpful in my interest in doing Landscape Photography, as a Advanced Beginner in DSLR Photography with approximately 2.5 years experience. I also have the Nikon 18-140mm, 35mm, 50mm, 55-200mm

LWW Loc: Banana Republic of America

Silverrails wrote:

Just recently bought a Nikon 10-20mm 4.5-5.6 Wide angle lens, I am hoping it will be helpful in my interest in doing Landscape Photography, as a Advanced Beginner in DSLR Photography with approximately 2.5 years experience. I also have the Nikon 18-140mm, 35mm, 50mm, 55-200mm

Awesome lens, I seldom use mine because it is somewhat a narrow use lens ... but it is a jewel for low money.

DavidPine Loc: Fredericksburg, TX

foggypreacher wrote:

I looked in the section on the Smoky Mountains, bu... (show quote)

If I go someplace like that I take a 20mm f/2.8 and 70-200 f/2.8. Never go anywhere without a tripod.