Landscape photography - what do I need?

RichardC27

RichardC27

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I was out for a walk on the beach with my better half on a lovely sunny evening last week, and was gutted I didn't have my camera with me because I could have got some awesome landscape shots. However, I don't think I have all the equipment, and I'm not entirely sure of everything I would need to take good landscape shots.

Currently, I have a 40D and a Sigma 18-125mm f3.8-5.6 lens, which will have to be my 'landscape' lens for the moment. Obviously I need a tripod and a remote shutter release, but I'm not sure what I need in the way of filters etc. Can anybody give me some advice on what sort of thing I should be looking for?
 
been in the same boat as you an just ordered a canon 10-2mm lens off kerso been told its the dogs wotsits for landscapes he sells for good money too try him out:thumbs:
 
You need the patience of a saint, a touch of madness and a very understanding partner (or one who's mad enough to come with you) :)
 
40D and 18-125 is perfectly capable of good landscapes. Not all are taken super wide. For sunsets you often don't need filters and you don't need a remote shutter release to get started as you can use timer mode. I'd get out there and try with your kit first, learn what you want to do and then buy the right stuff.

However, buying kit won't make you a good landscape photographer. As Alison say, patience, practive and perseverence will all help. I've been taking photos for 25 years and am still rubbish at landscapes.
 
To tell the truth you can take landscapes with any lens.
You can use wide to long lens
I have taken them with my Sigma 10-20mm to a 300mm lens if the shot is of land etc it’s a landscape But I know what your thinking if you want lots of field of view then the 10-20mm is a good one and much cheaper then the Canon 10-22mm some say better as well.
 
CP filters are handy for bringing out the colours better with blue skies, they also cut out some unwanted reflections. ND filters basically let you keep your shutter open for longer by cutting out light and then you can get a variety of effects such as motion blur.

also mosquito repelent is pretty handy this time of year, i got shredded the other night in search of a sunset
 
I was thinking that a CP filter would be a wise investment initially. A Sigma 10-20mm would be brilliant but it's just out of my price range at the moment
 
Either a Canon 10-22 or a Sigma 10-20 (my personal preference is the Canon).
Some will argue that the super wide angle lenses cram too much into the photo but it all depends on the shot you are taking.
Filter wise ND filters and CPL filters.
Take a look at the Cokin P series filters for ND, some people like them and some do not.

As an example, here are a couple of my shots using the 10-22..

3804852663_acd641ec97.jpg


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I used a CPL filter ib both cases and if you look at the skies on both, you will see in each photo there is a colour banding issue with the tone of blue.
This unfortunatley is an issue with SWA lenses and CPL filters but I have learned to live with it.
It might be possible to ressolve this in software but I am not good enough with the likes of CS3.
 
It's a myth that you need a 10-20mm lens for landscapes. I take most of mine with my 18-55. Sometimes the 10-20 comes in handy but if I had to chose that or my kit lens, I'd probably stick with the kit lens. Longer focal lengths work well sometimes too, so your 18-125 should be pretty damn good.

For filters, theres ND, ND grad and polarising (cpl).
CPL has already been covered so I won't repeat.
ND filters cut down all wave lengths of light equally lengthen you shutter speed to get motion blur. They come in different strengths, up to 10 stops. The low strength ones will only give much of an effect in quite dim conditions but higher strength can be used in broad daylight and get you shutter speeds of 20-30 seconds.
ND grad filters are half dark, half light with a soft-ish transition between the two. You can use them to darken bright skies to stop them getting over-exposed.

Cheap ones of both of these will normally have a purple-ish hue to them, particularly if you stack more than one, but the good quality ones cost you dear...

All the filters have their uses but none of them are essential kit.
 
The Matt said:
It's a myth that you need a 10-20mm lens for landscapes. I take most of mine with my 18-55
Click to expand...

While I won't argue with your fact that you don't always need a SWA lens for landscapes, I would like to point out tha the 18-55IS doesn't compare to SWA lenses (I can only speak for the Canon 10-22)when it comes to sharpness arcross the entire focus range.
My Canon 17-85mm again as it's a more expensive lens also out performs my 18-55 kit lens.
SWA lenses also come into their own for arcitecture if you want to shoot an entire bulding that is huge.
Investing in glass is an evil neccessary for this hobby.
Don't get me wrong, as a starter lens the kit lens isn't bad but it's it's far from ideal as a general purpose lens.
 
hashcake said:
While I won't argue with your fact that you don't always need a SWA lens for landscapes, I would like to point out tha the 18-55IS doesn't compare to SWA lenses (I can only speak for the Canon 10-22)when it comes to sharpness arcross the entire focus range.
My Canon 17-85mm again as it's a more expensive lens also out performs my 18-55 kit lens.
SWA lenses also come into their own for arcitecture if you want to shoot an entire bulding that is huge.
Investing in glass is an evil neccessary for this hobby.
Don't get me wrong, as a starter lens the kit lens isn't bad but it's it's far from ideal as a general purpose lens.
Click to expand...

I know the lens is a bit rubbish in terms of quality. I just find its range of focal lengths a lot more useful in most situations. The 10-20 is a great lens and in some situations is indispensable. It's just not the be all and end all of landscape photography :)
 
blue max said:
Insomnia and a camera is all you need really.
Click to expand...

:lol:
I was going to mention that to the OP.
Once you have been bitten by the landscape bug, be prepared to set off at silly o'clock in the morning in search of the perfect sunrise.
 
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