Advise please - Landscape photography

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Siberdib

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Richard
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I am interested in adding a new lens to my kit. I currently own the Nikon 16-85mm and 50mm f1.8. I am very keen on landscape photography and therefore look to use my 16-85 at its widest setting as much as possible. It was initially brought as my kit lens.

The advise I need is whether it would make sense to invest in a Sigma 10-20mm?; would I really gain from the extra 6mm?; or should I invest in a Tokina 11-16mm for example, so that I am completely covered?

Although my budget won't stretch to the Tokina, will the Sigma be a worthy investment? The reason for asking is time after time the 10-20mm crops up as the lens used in landscape photography for my camera.
 
10mm may be useful sometimes, but the main lens should be 16-85mm. That 16mm is really wide in its own right. If you need it then Tokina would be a much better UWA, so if you could save a little more it would be worth it.
10mm requires very strong foreground interest and otherwise perfect scenes. Usually this involves seascapes or mountain scenes, etc. It is also great for interior. However if the lens is used in a 'general snapshot' mode the results can be somewhat disappointing.
Perhaps you could post a couple landscapes and tell about your photo plans? That would make it more obvious if that 10mm is the way forward.
 
I recently bought a second hand Tokina 11-16 to accompany my 17-55 (also second hand). I've not used it much yet but it has excellent build quality and my test images have been very pleasing. I would look out for one second hand as although they don't come up often, they do from time to time and are built to last.
 
A few extra mm at the wide end makes quite a disproportionate difference and I think that you'll see quite a difference between 10 and 16mm.

You should also consider that the way you use a wide angle lens shouldn't be limited to just getting it all in as they offer great creative opportunities too.

If you think about how a 10-20mm could be used and then give one a try you might just like it.
 
My sigma 10-20mm is I find to wide for landscapes as everything in the distance is very small.I find it better for fairly close photography where you can take advantage of the wacky perspective it gives, especially on buildings etc.
At 10mm you have to be careful not to get your feet in the shot :/

There are some occasions when you may need to get very close focus on a foreground object and still have distant objects in focus for which 10-20mm would a good choice.

I would consider 20 to 28mm fine for landscapes.
Just my 2p worth.
 
Thanks for the feedback all. I'm still a little bit up in the air about it. I enjoy landscape photography and would like the possibility to take seascapes/mountain scenes that include foreground interest. This obviously suits the 10-20mm. However, my location in England and the numbers of time I actually travel a year limits my possibility to take such photos. Therefore, my decision is based on whether buying a 10-20mm/11-16mm will improve my photography compared to limiting myself to the 16-85mm.
 
If you buy a Canon 10-22 or Tokina 11-16 second hand in mint condition and look after it you can try it and sell it on if you don't like it, probably losing nothing and if you buy carefully, possibly even for a small profit.
 
Siberdib said:
Thanks for the feedback all. I'm still a little bit up in the air about it. I enjoy landscape photography and would like the possibility to take seascapes/mountain scenes that include foreground interest. This obviously suits the 10-20mm. However, my location in England and the numbers of time I actually travel a year limits my possibility to take such photos. Therefore, my decision is based on whether buying a 10-20mm/11-16mm will improve my photography compared to limiting myself to the 16-85mm.
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The Sigma is a fun lens, you have to think outside the box a bit to get the best out of it.
Try searching on Flickr or similar to get an insight onto what can be done with a very wide lens, some people are very imaginative.
 
I use to have a D90 and found quite often that 16mm wasn't wide enough as effectively it was a 24mm on the cropped sensor. So i bought the Nikkor 12-24 and found this gave me much more satisfactory results in some cases. I'd say if you are in a position to buy a ultra wide angle, do it. It can only help. Just my opinion.:)
 
Hi,

I can vouch for the Tokina in both build and IQ. I think you will be pleasantly surprised how much you can do with a good wide angle lens. As another person has said 'It makes you think out of the box'.

I also have and use alot, a 28mm F2.8 Nikon MF lens. It is very good for landscapes and street work. It is a much cheaper option.

Just my 2p

Good Luck

Alistair
 
I inquired at "Lens for Hire" for an UWA for a 1week photo hol in France soon

Dan suggested --the Sigma/N 10-20mm. ...that works out as an 11-day hire, which will cost £39 (or £35.10 without insurance) plus roughly £10 each way for postage. Our couriers are cheaper for the outward trip, but it's best to return the lens via Royal Mail Special Delivery"

Very reasonable way to try and see if it's for you !!
 
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