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04-08-2014, 10:58 AM   #31
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NO!!! Not the 18-55..it's TERRIBLE!!!

Don't buy the 18-55, it's crap, it will all ruin all your images...the Canikolympusony is WAY better...I must have a bad copy...how could Pentax produce such a piece of ****...why isn't it sharp at F32 and 12 seconds handheld? Doesn't this image stabilization work, I'm SO pissed off, Pentax is doomed....DOOMED!!! etc., bitch, whine, moan, complain...











This was with the II, on an *istD, I've got the new WR now, same (appallingly bad) image quality, better build/weatherproof.

Best $169.00 you could possibly spend in photography. Incredible little lens...start here, then get the 15/14 later or whatever you can afford.



Cheers,
Cameron

04-08-2014, 11:16 AM   #32
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I'll join in to repeat what other have said, really... Yes, the 18-55 is just fine for landscapes. Your 50-200 and 70-300 are also good for landscapes. I have used my 18-55 and 55-300 for lots of landscapes, and with results I'm happy with. Just stop down to f8-f11 and you will get good results.

Don't bother buying more lenses until you know exactly why you do so. It will save you from wasting a lot of money. trust me!
04-08-2014, 12:10 PM - 1 Like   #33
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One of the favorite pics i have taken was with the 18-55WR




You can see how sharp it is if you pixel peep. I was at f8 and used a tripod.
04-08-2014, 10:04 PM   #34
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I just ran into this essay which addresses the subject quite well.

04-08-2014, 10:23 PM   #35
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Thank you johnyates. Very good articles.
04-08-2014, 10:38 PM   #36
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sigma 10-20
sigma 8-18 urban photography
04-09-2014, 06:10 AM   #37
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The lens will be fine for a start. You should try and work out its strengths and weaknesses (plenty to read on that here and elsewhere). Using f8-11 is a great equalizer.

A good tripod will help. See this article by Thom Hogan - it's a bit of a classic. Make sure you use the mirror lock up function whenever possible and do your best to get the exposure right for any post-processing. That might include - using masks, blending exposures, HDR, stitching etc.
Circ polarising filter. They can be bought second hand and, an advantage of the kit lens is that the diameter is quite small. An ND filter can also be of use. Split grad filters will also help.
Time and money for travel to good locations.
Investing some time looking at art to work out what good composition means will not be time wasted.

Good luck and have fun.

04-09-2014, 07:04 AM   #38
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QuoteOriginally posted by Bob from Aus Quote
It depends on the compositions you like. My favorite landscape lens is my 50-135. I even use my 500. But I like framing a small part of a big landscape from a distance. I almost never use my 10-20.
+1, I started using 28mm, 50mm and even 85mm + stitching for landscape compared to 10-20.

Having said that, while 18-55 @f8 is excellent for landscape as long as you don't pixel-peep.
04-11-2014, 01:19 AM   #39
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Your 18-55 is good lens for landscape. Stick with it while you are just starting out. I practically had been using just a kit lens during my first two years. Your kit lens is very capable for just about anything. Stay away from ultrawides when you are just starting out.
04-12-2014, 07:33 AM   #40
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tamron 17-50 and sigma 10-20 maybe...
04-13-2014, 05:59 PM   #41
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I use the 16-45 now because I like the extra 2mm on the wide end, but I have always been able to get some very good results with the 18-55 and landscapes. These were taken with the K-r and two different 18-55's,,,,,,,and are all original JPEG's with minor level adjustments in post processing:





04-14-2014, 01:57 AM   #42
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I like the second shot.
04-30-2014, 06:51 AM   #43
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So do I
04-30-2014, 06:58 AM - 1 Like   #44
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Way back at the start of PentaxForums a guy named Peter Zack was a Moderator. In response to a similar question I asked he PM'ed me, "Shoot wtih what you have, not with what you dream about."

I'm certain you will find that response as unsatisfyingly direct as I did at the time, but it really is the truth.
04-30-2014, 08:10 AM   #45
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The kit lens is perfectly fine for most landscape shots, especially for just starting out. Stopped down a little, it's quite sharp and colors are quite vibrant. The biggest weakness I have had with the 18-55 is flare when you have strong backlight, something to consider when shooting landscapes. It's also a little slow which has no bearing on landscapes at all most of the time. After a while, you may want something wider or maybe a lens more flare resistant but don't go spending money until you have a good handle on what direction your photography is taking you. A starting kit with the 18-55 and 55-300 is capable of good results for 99% of any subjects you can think of from landscapes, sports, wildlife, and portraits. The 18-55 is pretty good up close too.
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