As I posted earlier:

The information at these Web sites will help you decide which lens to choose.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php

http://www.lenstip.com/Main_page

http://www.photozone.de/
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These other Web sites could help, too:

http://www.luminous-landscape.com/index.shtml

http://www.kenrockwell.com/index.htm

http://photo.net/

Yes, wide-angle shots appeal to the eye when done right, by which I mean the image minimizes object distortion or avoids obvious lack of proportion, and instead presents a sweeping view. See the images below for examples of this wide view.

In practice, regarding FL, I seek less for an effect and more for the suitability of the FL to the subject and to my intent. I deviate as circumstances dictate.

Please let me say I offer my approach here only as a description of my shooting practice.

Terraced Dwellings, Santorini (FL 37mm)


View of Winchester from Diamond Valley Lake (FL 27mm)

evandr: Thanks for suggestion. New here, and still learning the ropes.

gessman: Thanks for kind words. For balance I must add that some of the visual attraction of these photos results from careful post-processing -- stating the obvious. Upfront, I try for an interesting subject and a good exposure.

Just for fun, a headshop in Athens

Agree with this assessment of third-party lenses. Some lenses, however, like the new Sigma 17-50mm, f/2.8 equate with a similar Canon lens, for practical purposes. We users benefit from the competitive offerings among lenses.

Leopold: Thanks for the kind words. As to the yellow filter, I cannot recall the details of development of this image (back in '09), but I believe I darkened the sky either in post-processing or by a circular polarizer. The sky this way contrasts nicely with the clouds and the land formations. Yes, I tried to bring a sense of the scale of these large, striking uplifts in CRNP. If anybody goes there, I suggest the Scenic Route, running south from the ranger station. You will see sights unlike anything else.

This thread has to do with choice of lenses. I now mainly use a Sigma 17-70mm f/2.8-4. Carried it with me recently on a 3-week tour of Europe. As a lensmaker, Sigma has been competing strongly with Canon and others. I took the 2 photos below with this lens.

Terraced Homes, Capri


Harbor, Capri

New here. Like the responsive interaction. Agree that the better gear generally offers an edge in image quality, although often subtle. Repeating myself, I've found knowing my gear and using it with competence after a learning curve allows me to take better pictures. Budding photographers want shortcuts. Some exist, like workshops, classroom instruction, and getting firsthand advice from an experienced photographer. I taught myself. Looking back, though, I'd follow my own advice, in order to advance faster. In the end, doing photography requires practice because a skill. This fact means shooting many pictures while learning from one's mistakes.

One from Capitol Reef N.P.

Leopold: Go, and you will reward yourself with a special experience. Canyon Country in Utah offers spectacular and beautiful landscapes.

Another one from BCNP using a Canon zoom lens

Always bear in mind the skills of the photographer trump the photography gear. One technique you may wish to try: Put a lens on your camera, and walk around with it for a month or so, to learn it as you adapt to it. Learning and applying the principles of effective composition will improve the visual impact of your photographs.

Took this one with a Canon SD1200 at Bryce Canyon NP

The information at these Web sites will help you decide which lens to choose.

http://www.dxomark.com/index.php

http://www.lenstip.com/Main_page

http://www.photozone.de/