Wide angle on a tightish budget!!!

cybertaff · 11-11-2014, 09:14 AM

Any advice? been roped into a photog weekend in wales, on the grounds that i speak welsh... have never taken a landscsap in my life. Thinking i need something wider than my 50mm any sugestions id rather a newer lens than a second hand one. Cheers in advance

cali92rs · 11-11-2014, 09:28 AM

Honestly, if you are doing landscapes and stopped down to f8-f16, almost any modern lens would do, including the 18-55mm kit lens. As important as the lens is a good tripod.
On a tight budget I would go with the 16-45mm and a decent stable tripod + 2 second timer + base ISO.

**Michaelina2** · 11-11-2014, 10:20 AM

Originally posted by cali92rs

Honestly, if you are doing landscapes and stopped down to f8-f16, almost any modern lens would do, including the 18-55mm kit lens. As important as the lens is a good tripod.
On a tight budget I would go with the 16-45mm and a decent stable tripod + 2 second timer + base ISO.

Bet you can use your 50 and do a stitched panorama with a program like...

Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor (ICE)

Works great and it's FREE!

If you take this route, I suggest you practice using it before you go just to get the hang of how things fit together.

Cheers... M

jamarley · 11-11-2014, 10:33 AM

There are 2 things of which i am not sure. 1) Your budget (tightish being a descriptor rather than a number) and 2) If the weekend is dependent on weather conditions.
Here's my reasoning.. From Wikipedia:
Wales lies within the north temperate zone. It has a changeable, maritime climate and is one of the wettest countries in Europe. Welsh weather is often cloudy, wet and windy...

That being the case you might consider the 18-135 WR although it may well fall outside your budget restrictions. Keep an eye out in our Marketplace and don't forget you can add a keyword to have the forum system send you an email when that keyword appears in a listing.

Jeff

cybertaff · 11-11-2014, 10:38 AM

Originally posted by jamarley

Wales lies within the north temperate zone. It has a changeable, maritime climate and is one of the wettest countries in Europe. Welsh weather is often cloudy, wet and windy...

lol i know im welsh i grew up there, was thinking less than £500

jk333 · 11-11-2014, 10:58 AM - **1 Like**

I vote for a used 16-45; here you can get one for $168 - https://www.keh.com/241816/pentax-16-45mm-f-4-smc-da-ed-al-k-mount-autofocus...ensor-dslrs-67

My logic is, you mine as well get a wide(ish) lens the can also cover the normal range at the same time. The 16-45 is sharp at almost all settings and the image quality will be better than many competing zooms. It's also cheaper and lighter than the f2.8 zooms.

My honorable mentions are a used 18-55 or for a prime, the plastic DA 35. 35 is a good focal length for landscapes. Most landscapes are taken in the 25-35mm range on a crop sensor. Many people think they need a wide angle, like 15 or 18mm but often that's not best for landscape photos.

narual · 11-11-2014, 11:25 AM

If you don't typically have a need for a wider lens, rather than buy a cheap one, borrow or rent a nice one. I don't know who does rentals in the UK, but in the US, you can rent a 15mm ltd for a week for about $30 (maybe 50 with shipping). If you're not accustomed to using a wide angle lens, I dunno if I'd go any wider than that for landscapes. Indoor shots are a bit more forgiving (less chance of 1/3 of the image being parking lot).

But any lens can do landscapes. Just depends where you're standing. (IIRC Adam said in a thread somewhere that his favorite landscape lens was an 85mm). A wide angle can "get it all in" but that often means "get it all in really small and far away looking which makes it rather uninteresting, and oh, you stood with one foot forward, so you're going to need to crop the tip of your toe out of the shot"

Definitely second a good tripod and a remote. Also make sure you have a polarizing filter, and ideally some Neutral Density filter options (either a set or a variable one like the one PF just reviewed on the homepage). The sun does sometimes come out in wales and you don't want to end up with washed out details.

cali92rs · 11-11-2014, 11:28 AM

Originally posted by Michaelina2

Or you can use your 50 and do a stitched panorama with a program like...

Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor (ICE)

Works great and it's FREE!

I suggest you practice using it before you go just to get the hang of how things fit together.

Cheers... M

With a single focal length, you are really restricted, especially when you don't know the lay of the land.
Also, with landscapes, often you don't want to stretch things out widthwise, you may want more perception of depth and that is often lost when you use a telephoto, such as a 50mm on a APS-C. Telephotos flatten and compress, and stitching won't help with that.

Regardless, both options are open with a zoom.

schnitzer79 · 11-11-2014, 11:40 AM

having studied in wales, i know the weather might turn on you from one minute to the next. so a WR lens would be a good idea. the 18-135 is ideal in that situation. if u dont need WR, then i would go for the 15mm ltd

**MSL** · 11-11-2014, 11:48 AM

How wide? How much of a budget? The 18-55 WR gives you the width, and weather resistance, but isn't the sharpest lens. A DA 35/2.4 or F35-70 gets you wider than 50, but still not wide - the DA is an inexpensive new lens, the F35-70 a very inexpensive second hand lens. If you are willing to get away from autofocus, the options open up with a range of 28 mm lenses available on the used market.

**mgvh** · 11-11-2014, 11:48 AM

The DA 21 is another good landscape option. Cheaper than the DA 15 and maybe a bit easier to get the hang of shooting at 21mm rather than 15mm.

y0chang · 11-11-2014, 11:55 AM

I find in landscapes 16mm is very useful increase from 18mm. The only issue with a 16-45 is the barrel wobble that you get at the longest extension. Other wise its super sharp, cheap, useful range, and good colors. If not just shoot with the kit lens at F8 and you will get pretty good images. A sigma or tamron 17-50mm are other reasonable priced options.

johan kruger · 11-11-2014, 12:46 PM

II would try and get a 15mm limited. I just love that lens. even if you have to get it second hand.

jamarley · 11-11-2014, 02:12 PM

Originally posted by cybertaff

lol i know im welsh i grew up there, was thinking less than £500

With that budget I think you could do far worse than the 18-135. For some wonderful examples of this very versatile lens take a look at this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-1...at-can-do.html

soti · 11-11-2014, 02:54 PM

If you have never taken a landscape photo, in your place I wouldn't buy anything dedicated. I mean, the weekend passes, and you are left with a lens that you never use? I'd just use the kit lens, with a tripod. Or, as someone already suggested, the 18-135mm, which is also weather resistant.

11-11-2014, 09:14 AM	#1
cybertaff Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: london Photos: Albums Posts: 93	Wide angle on a tightish budget!!! Any advice? been roped into a photog weekend in wales, on the grounds that i speak welsh... have never taken a landscsap in my life. Thinking i need something wider than my 50mm any sugestions id rather a newer lens than a second hand one. Cheers in advance

11-11-2014, 10:20 AM	#3
Michaelina2 Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: SE Michigan USA Photos: Gallery Posts: 1,301	Originally posted by cali92rs Honestly, if you are doing landscapes and stopped down to f8-f16, almost any modern lens would do, including the 18-55mm kit lens. As important as the lens is a good tripod. On a tight budget I would go with the 16-45mm and a decent stable tripod + 2 second timer + base ISO. Bet you can use your 50 and do a stitched panorama with a program like... Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor (ICE) Works great and it's FREE! If you take this route, I suggest you practice using it before you go just to get the hang of how things fit together. Cheers... M Last edited by Michaelina2; 11-11-2014 at 01:35 PM.

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11-11-2014, 09:28 AM	#2
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Honestly, if you are doing landscapes and stopped down to f8-f16, almost any modern lens would do, including the 18-55mm kit lens. As important as the lens is a good tripod. On a tight budget I would go with the 16-45mm and a decent stable tripod + 2 second timer + base ISO.

11-11-2014, 10:33 AM	#4
jamarley Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 409	There are 2 things of which i am not sure. 1) Your budget (tightish being a descriptor rather than a number) and 2) If the weekend is dependent on weather conditions. Here's my reasoning.. From Wikipedia: Wales lies within the north temperate zone. It has a changeable, maritime climate and is one of the wettest countries in Europe. Welsh weather is often cloudy, wet and windy... That being the case you might consider the 18-135 WR although it may well fall outside your budget restrictions. Keep an eye out in our Marketplace and don't forget you can add a keyword to have the forum system send you an email when that keyword appears in a listing. Jeff

11-11-2014, 10:38 AM	#5
cybertaff Inactive Account Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: london Photos: Albums Posts: 93 Original Poster	Originally posted by jamarley Wales lies within the north temperate zone. It has a changeable, maritime climate and is one of the wettest countries in Europe. Welsh weather is often cloudy, wet and windy... lol i know im welsh i grew up there, was thinking less than £500

11-11-2014, 10:58 AM - 1 Like	#6
jk333 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: bev Posts: 181	I vote for a used 16-45; here you can get one for $168 - https://www.keh.com/241816/pentax-16-45mm-f-4-smc-da-ed-al-k-mount-autofocus...ensor-dslrs-67 My logic is, you mine as well get a wide(ish) lens the can also cover the normal range at the same time. The 16-45 is sharp at almost all settings and the image quality will be better than many competing zooms. It's also cheaper and lighter than the f2.8 zooms. My honorable mentions are a used 18-55 or for a prime, the plastic DA 35. 35 is a good focal length for landscapes. Most landscapes are taken in the 25-35mm range on a crop sensor. Many people think they need a wide angle, like 15 or 18mm but often that's not best for landscape photos.

11-11-2014, 11:25 AM	#7
narual Veteran Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: South Bend (Notre Dame), Indiana Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,988	If you don't typically have a need for a wider lens, rather than buy a cheap one, borrow or rent a nice one. I don't know who does rentals in the UK, but in the US, you can rent a 15mm ltd for a week for about $30 (maybe 50 with shipping). If you're not accustomed to using a wide angle lens, I dunno if I'd go any wider than that for landscapes. Indoor shots are a bit more forgiving (less chance of 1/3 of the image being parking lot). But any lens can do landscapes. Just depends where you're standing. (IIRC Adam said in a thread somewhere that his favorite landscape lens was an 85mm). A wide angle can "get it all in" but that often means "get it all in really small and far away looking which makes it rather uninteresting, and oh, you stood with one foot forward, so you're going to need to crop the tip of your toe out of the shot" Definitely second a good tripod and a remote. Also make sure you have a polarizing filter, and ideally some Neutral Density filter options (either a set or a variable one like the one PF just reviewed on the homepage). The sun does sometimes come out in wales and you don't want to end up with washed out details.

11-11-2014, 11:28 AM	#8
cali92rs Veteran Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Long Beach, CA Posts: 3,354	Originally posted by Michaelina2 Or you can use your 50 and do a stitched panorama with a program like... Microsoft Research Image Composite Editor (ICE) Works great and it's FREE! I suggest you practice using it before you go just to get the hang of how things fit together. Cheers... M With a single focal length, you are really restricted, especially when you don't know the lay of the land. Also, with landscapes, often you don't want to stretch things out widthwise, you may want more perception of depth and that is often lost when you use a telephoto, such as a 50mm on a APS-C. Telephotos flatten and compress, and stitching won't help with that. Regardless, both options are open with a zoom.

11-11-2014, 11:40 AM	#9
schnitzer79 Pentaxian Join Date: Jul 2013 Photos: Albums Posts: 1,248	having studied in wales, i know the weather might turn on you from one minute to the next. so a WR lens would be a good idea. the 18-135 is ideal in that situation. if u dont need WR, then i would go for the 15mm ltd

11-11-2014, 11:48 AM	#10
MSL Site Supporter Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Greater Toronto Area Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 4,749	How wide? How much of a budget? The 18-55 WR gives you the width, and weather resistance, but isn't the sharpest lens. A DA 35/2.4 or F35-70 gets you wider than 50, but still not wide - the DA is an inexpensive new lens, the F35-70 a very inexpensive second hand lens. If you are willing to get away from autofocus, the options open up with a range of 28 mm lenses available on the used market.

11-11-2014, 11:48 AM	#11
mgvh Site Supporter Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: MD Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,030	The DA 21 is another good landscape option. Cheaper than the DA 15 and maybe a bit easier to get the hang of shooting at 21mm rather than 15mm.

11-11-2014, 11:55 AM	#12
y0chang Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: United States Posts: 793	I find in landscapes 16mm is very useful increase from 18mm. The only issue with a 16-45 is the barrel wobble that you get at the longest extension. Other wise its super sharp, cheap, useful range, and good colors. If not just shoot with the kit lens at F8 and you will get pretty good images. A sigma or tamron 17-50mm are other reasonable priced options.

11-11-2014, 12:46 PM	#13
johan kruger Senior Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: South AFrica Photos: Albums Posts: 298	II would try and get a 15mm limited. I just love that lens. even if you have to get it second hand.

11-11-2014, 02:12 PM	#14
jamarley Site Supporter Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: New Jersey Photos: Gallery Posts: 409	Originally posted by cybertaff lol i know im welsh i grew up there, was thinking less than £500 With that budget I think you could do far worse than the 18-135. For some wonderful examples of this very versatile lens take a look at this thread https://www.pentaxforums.com/forums/10-pentax-slr-lens-discussion/179869-da-1...at-can-do.html

11-11-2014, 02:54 PM	#15
soti Forum Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Leuven Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 65	If you have never taken a landscape photo, in your place I wouldn't buy anything dedicated. I mean, the weekend passes, and you are left with a lens that you never use? I'd just use the kit lens, with a tripod. Or, as someone already suggested, the 18-135mm, which is also weather resistant.