Wide Angle Lens (Landscape Photography) for Canon DSLR ?

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 12:05

Hi all,

I'm looking to buy a wide angle lens for landscape photography to mount on my Canon 700D and wondered if you guys had any recommendations as to what would make a good choice.

Thanks for any advice.

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 12:26

With a low f stop for Northern Lights photography would be good too, I've read 2.8 or there abouts is good for this.

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 12:44

Amp34 said:
Northern lights? Then go for the 11-16, it's a no brainer. The extra stop or two will make a fair difference. You don't really need to worry about the DoF in shots like that as the foreground will still be in focus even a few feet away when focused at infinity.

DoF calculator suggests at 16mm and f/2.8 you will get everything in focus from 8ft to infinity... (Just for clarity).

The only negative for the 11-16 is the zoom range. It's almost disingenuous to call it a zoom, but that's the trade off you make for the fast glass.

That Tokina lens has superb reviews, thanks. Looks a strong candidate.

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 12:49

Phal said:
Sigma 18-35mm F1.8 is worth considering too although it's not 'that' wide on paper but I find 18mm is often plenty I prefer my 18-35mm to my 10-22mm EF-S lens

F1.8 would be a bit faster again for the glowy stuff in the sky

Thanks Phal, will check it out, I have an 18-55 Canon lens at the moment but I thought getting more in with wide angle landscape shots would be pretty neat.

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 14:53

Thanks for the info guys, the Tonika seems great, though I realise photography is expensive I am after something a bit cheaper than £400 so I'll look out for some mint second hand lenses. Got an expensive Holiday coming up soon!

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 15:43

Just looking at some 18mm Northern Lights shots and they look great, definitely something I'd be satisfied with. My current lens is a Canon EF-S 18-55mm f3.6-5.6 IS STM Lens though... so I'd still need something with a lower aperture (2.8) though?

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 15:50

Lenses for Hire are doing the Tonika for £50 / 7 days hire so I could go for that option as well and purchase one of my own in the future maybe.

smr · 6 Jan 2015 at 22:47

The canon 10 - 18 should suffice then as i will be using a tripod with a shutter release cable meaning i can do long exposures for the northern lights...? Sorry but quite new to photography so im still trying to learn as much as possible.

smr · 7 Jan 2015 at 14:22

Phal said:
The OP needs to make some decisions

I'm just happy listening to you guys and gaining valuable insight

As it is I think I will rent the 11-16 Tonika lens, so that should the northern lights appear I'll have a decent chance of getting some good images. It works out to £50 a week, when I come back off Holiday I'll save up for my own wide angle lens which may well be the Canon 10-18.

Just purchased the manfrotto befree tripod today and now need a CPL filter (probably the Marumi DHG Super Circular Polarising 58mm Filter) and a shutter remote then I should be just about set (still need a couple of spare batteries and lens hood)

Off to Lumsdale Waterfall (in the Peak District) at the weekend to practice photographing long exposures with my new gear!

smr · 7 Jan 2015 at 17:17

Still ultimately undecided on the lens thing. I might go for a second hand or new lens in a couple of weeks time or something.

Bought a CPL filter today, thats just really for general landscapes though in daylight to reduce reflections and bring out colours.

smr · 7 Jan 2015 at 22:56

That 55-250 might come in handy for when I go to Formula 1 events? Seems like a great price.