Your favourite lens for mountains and large hills

AquaDome · 11-12-2014, 10:31 AM

Today the Sigma 10-20mm would be the first lens in my bag for a trip to the mountains.
I did Colorado, Utah, & Nevada on film with a K-1000 & 50mm lens, but wished I had a 28mm.
Similar results could be achieved with DA35/2.4 and DA21 Ltd or DA15 Ltd.

schnitzer79 · 11-12-2014, 10:33 AM

Originally posted by csa

I've never used one, but I've always thought a Fisheye gave the "bowl" effect, which I absolutely don't like; so is this a wrong impression?

it will, but if you place the horizon in the middle of your frame, then distortion is hardly visible. the photos below were taken with the samyang 8mm.

bsamcash · 11-12-2014, 10:34 AM

Originally posted by schnitzer79

but if I had to pick one (sorry guys), its the 18-135 for its versatility and WR

I agree. Probably the only non-prime I have ever lusted after.

**csa** · 11-12-2014, 10:36 AM - **1 Like**

schnitzer 79; Thanks for that tip, and also for those great examples! This certainly changes my mind about "fisheye" lenses!

Michi Joel · 01-30-2015, 07:53 PM

In April 'll go the Toubqal ( 4000m ) . Had clearly lead only K50 + DA * 16-50 + CPOL + 2 batteries and charger + Gorillapod SLR to go lighter.
Reading this thread makes me want to take the Sigma 10-20mm too !!
The 10-20mm combination with the DA * 50-135mm also would be nice but I think I would use this last bit. 800gr load on the back for use on rare occasions is not a very smart choice.

mee · 01-30-2015, 08:45 PM

Originally posted by interested_observer

Your question ultimately comes down to what lens is good for landscapes. The down and dirty answer is any lens that you have with you. If the lens is not wide enough, stitch and then use a free utility from Microsoft - called ICE to stitch them together into a single image. Just overlap each shot by 25%. You can stitch across the horizon or vertical or in both directions.

Use what you have - the kit lenses work great.

This is great for non commercial work but for commercial work, technically we're not allowed to use ICE.

sterretje · 01-30-2015, 10:06 PM

Originally posted by towa

800gr load on the back for use on rare occasions is not a very smart choice.

I agree. I no longer hike, but 800 gram is nearly a liter of water; difference between dehydration or not.

**interested_observer** · 01-30-2015, 11:08 PM

Originally posted by mee

This is great for non commercial work but for commercial work, technically we're not allowed to use ICE.

There are quite a few stitching packages available for commercial work. I bellieve that the limitation on ICE is that Microsoft is allowing free downloads for non commercial work. Kolor has several packages available. AutoPano is one and it is full featured.

Autopano Pro | Panorama software for Windows, Mac, Linux | Kolor

PTGui is another that does a wonderful job.

Stitching software

There are also various comparisons available.

Comparison of photo stitching software - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

01-30-2015, 11:08 PM	#38
interested_observer Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Tumbleweed, Arizona Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,707	Originally posted by mee This is great for non commercial work but for commercial work, technically we're not allowed to use ICE. There are quite a few stitching packages available for commercial work. I bellieve that the limitation on ICE is that Microsoft is allowing free downloads for non commercial work. Kolor has several packages available. AutoPano is one and it is full featured. Autopano Pro \| Panorama software for Windows, Mac, Linux \| Kolor PTGui is another that does a wonderful job. Stitching software There are also various comparisons available. Comparison of photo stitching software - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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11-12-2014, 10:31 AM	#31
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	Today the Sigma 10-20mm would be the first lens in my bag for a trip to the mountains. I did Colorado, Utah, & Nevada on film with a K-1000 & 50mm lens, but wished I had a 28mm. Similar results could be achieved with DA35/2.4 and DA21 Ltd or DA15 Ltd.

11-12-2014, 10:33 AM	#32
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	Originally posted by csa I've never used one, but I've always thought a Fisheye gave the "bowl" effect, which I absolutely don't like; so is this a wrong impression? it will, but if you place the horizon in the middle of your frame, then distortion is hardly visible. the photos below were taken with the samyang 8mm.

11-12-2014, 10:34 AM	#33
bsamcash Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cupertino, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 391	Originally posted by schnitzer79 but if I had to pick one (sorry guys), its the 18-135 for its versatility and WR I agree. Probably the only non-prime I have ever lusted after.

11-12-2014, 10:36 AM - 1 Like	#34
csa Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2014 Location: Montana mountains Posts: 10,133	schnitzer 79; Thanks for that tip, and also for those great examples! This certainly changes my mind about "fisheye" lenses!

01-30-2015, 07:53 PM	#35
Michi Joel Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Catalonia Photos: Albums Posts: 441	In April 'll go the Toubqal ( 4000m ) . Had clearly lead only K50 + DA * 16-50 + CPOL + 2 batteries and charger + Gorillapod SLR to go lighter. Reading this thread makes me want to take the Sigma 10-20mm too !! The 10-20mm combination with the DA * 50-135mm also would be nice but I think I would use this last bit. 800gr load on the back for use on rare occasions is not a very smart choice.

01-30-2015, 08:45 PM	#36
mee Veteran Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 7,403	Originally posted by interested_observer Your question ultimately comes down to what lens is good for landscapes. The down and dirty answer is any lens that you have with you. If the lens is not wide enough, stitch and then use a free utility from Microsoft - called ICE to stitch them together into a single image. Just overlap each shot by 25%. You can stitch across the horizon or vertical or in both directions. Use what you have - the kit lenses work great. This is great for non commercial work but for commercial work, technically we're not allowed to use ICE.

01-30-2015, 10:06 PM	#37
sterretje Veteran Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Roodepoort, South Africa Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,561	Originally posted by towa 800gr load on the back for use on rare occasions is not a very smart choice. I agree. I no longer hike, but 800 gram is nearly a liter of water; difference between dehydration or not.