Need landscape lens ideas, also flash advice.

Magnum said:
I will be getting my 400d soon, and i would like to know what lens i could use to get some decent landscape shots, as well as general shots.

Also, is this flash any good?
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-EF530...5?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209763580&sr=8-5

Any other flash ideas would be great.

Just to finish off, how much would i be looking at to buy a used Sigma 10-20mm?
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Flea bay link.....(y)....

I have a 10-20 but don`t do much landscape, it is ok for my meagre needs.

No idea on Canon compatible flash units either.

Cheers.
 
Used 10-20mm will be around £200-£230 ish... brilliant lens for landscape work

The EF-350 is a capable flash - had one for my D80.
 
Weel i guess it depends on your budget. 10-20 is great but as a general walk around maybe not ideal. Have you thought about 17-85 or 17-40 or even 18-200, these would give you width for landscapes but also great for general use.
 
In issue 102 of Digital Photo they have just done a full write up on various 10mm + lenses.

For Canon they had the following lenses.......

Canon EF-S 10-22mm f/3.5-4.5 USM @ £490.00
Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM @ £309.00 (you can get it cheaper)
Sigma 12-24 f/4.5-5.6 EX DG Aspherical HSM @£449.00
Tamron SP AF 11-18mm f/4.5-5.6 Di-II LD Aspherical (IF) @ £395.00

The Sigma 10-20mm came out tops.

Regards

Garv
 
The Sigma 10-20 is a highly respected lens, very popular with landscapers, it's on my buy list too

I currently use the Sigma 17-70 which I also find excellent, works very well as a "walkabout" too

simon
 
Magnum, i too have been doing a LOT of research into the same thing and have found that the Sigma 10-20 is the winner.
 
Magnum said:
Thanks for the advice everyone.

For my first lens i will get this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-18-20...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209844800&sr=8-2

Unless anybody can tell me otherwise.
I think that lens will give me some good wide shots as well as some normal shots, i will get the 10-20 later on.
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Check out the reviews at

www.fredmiranda.com/
www.slrgear.com/


These are good for users opinions, but I have been in the same boat as yourself, what to buy ?

I read somewhere that the 18-200, is just too big of a zoom range, not great at the wide range you may be better with the kit lens and buying the Tamron 55-200mm, which gets good reviews and can be picked up for under £60.

As lots of experienced people have told me over the last few weeks, get to know what you are doing with the kit lens. Then you will know what you like to photograph and what the requirements of your lens upgrade better.


Although I still change my mind daily, from macro, to landscape, to general purpose, you get my drift.
 
Magnum said:
Thanks for the advice everyone.

For my first lens i will get this:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Sigma-18-20...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1209844800&sr=8-2

Unless anybody can tell me otherwise.
I think that lens will give me some good wide shots as well as some normal shots, i will get the 10-20 later on.
Click to expand...


This is an o.k lens considering its zoom range but its not great - not the best for landscapes.
If you really want a "superzoom" check out the Tamron 18-250, regarded by many as the best of the bunch. Lots of reviews around for it too

simon
 
I am a great believer that you should save a lot of your budget for the lens. Good quality glass can really make an image in terms of quality of final image.

Avoid the large range zoom lenses unless you absolutely must have that range on the camera at all times.

I would suggest you look at the wider end of the zoom range if landscapes are going to be your thing (probably 28-70). I shoot very few landscapes at the ultra wide end but getting to about 28mm is very useful for most scenes. Wider can add drama or allow you to get close to a subject but is not always necessary.

You should consider prime lenses (good ones sell well on the 2nd hand market) and a great bag filler is the nifty fifty. It is great VFM and using it is good discipline forcing you to work harder at the composition of a shot.

Good luck with your decision making.
 
imho i would be going 10 20. going 18 200 makes you stand still and move the lens to make the photo, smaller makes oyu move and see things you might of missed if you hadnt walked abut.

the 10 20 is an exceptional lens well worth every penny, so i would advise for 10 20
 
HIMUPNORTH said:
I am a great believer that you should save a lot of your budget for the lens. Good quality glass can really make an image in terms of quality of final image.

Avoid the large range zoom lenses unless you absolutely must have that range on the camera at all times.

I would suggest you look at the wider end of the zoom range if landscapes are going to be your thing (probably 28-70). I shoot very few landscapes at the ultra wide end but getting to about 28mm is very useful for most scenes. Wider can add drama or allow you to get close to a subject but is not always necessary.

You should consider prime lenses (good ones sell well on the 2nd hand market) and a great bag filler is the nifty fifty. It is great VFM and using it is good discipline forcing you to work harder at the composition of a shot.

Good luck with your decision making.
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On amazon this lens is £212.. but on ebay it is only £75
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/SIGMA-28-70mm...ryZ30070QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

It has the range you reccommended.

Since 50mm is covered in that lens, would there be much point buying a 50mm prime? Would it give me better pictures than the 28-70 set on 50?
Or would the money be better spent put towards a lens with a range not covered by the 28-70.

Thanks for the help.
 
For wide to general walkaround the tamron 17-50mm 2.8 or the Sigma 17-70mm are both winners. The Sigma is cheaper with more range and the Tamron faster, but not needed too much for walkaround and definately not much for landscapes.

A used 10-20mm will go from £230-260 and a very good lens indeed, but no good for general walkaround. I consider it a fairly specialist lens and the two options above will get more use and so deliver more bang for your pound.

The Sigma flash range is decent and so is the Canon EX430 at similar price.

A 50mm 1.8 will be a good buy for lower light work.

If I were you I would go Sigma 17-70 and Canon EX430 and forget the 10-20mm for now ... see if 17mm is wide enough for your needs.

All this stuff is reasonably regularly seen on the buy and sell section so you may find yourself a bargain.
 
As others have said, i think for now the Sigma 17-70 would be ideal for your needs
I took this with 17-70 at the wide end, as you can see its pretty wide plus the 70mm end is useful for all types of shots, and its a macro lens as well

2464380556_f66065edee_o.jpg
 
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