whch single focal length lens?

jer1 · 12-07-2014, 08:16 AM

Hi everyone.
I hope this is the right place to ask this question.
If you were to get only one single focal length lens for general landscape photography, using an asp-c camera
which prime lens would you select excluding ultra wide angle lenses? I'm not talking about a specific brand, just focal length.
Thanks for replying.
Jerry

**sergysergy** · 12-07-2014, 08:27 AM

something between 14 to 35 mm

SpecialK · 12-07-2014, 08:27 AM

The question has no meaningful answer. There are different focal lengths for a reasons.

And you might want to mention a budget, otherwise everyone will recommend the FA 31 :-)

**baro-nite** · 12-07-2014, 08:35 AM

I suppose this thread would be a better fit in either Photographic Technique or Lens Discussion, so maybe a moderator will move it.

50mm. If I want a wider field of view I can stitch.

DSims · 12-07-2014, 08:35 AM

24mm is it for me. Previously I used the A24/2.8. Now I have the FA*24/2. Both are excellent.

FantasticMrFox · 12-07-2014, 09:01 AM

For landscapes on a high-resolution camera like the K3 - something between 14 and 18 mm. I'd go for the DA 15 Limited.

I don't quite understand the 31 or 50 mm suggestions above - for a general purpose prime I'd go for 30 or 35, but for landscapes?! I couldn't be bothered to spend hours of my life just stitching shots ...

**Kerrowdown** · 12-07-2014, 09:07 AM

It really depends what your about with your landscapes, I've used everything from 15mm up to 300mm and most things in between to capture what I needed.

bsamcash · 12-07-2014, 09:07 AM

Used to be 35mm, but the FA 43 has changed my perspective.

Originally posted by baro-nite

50mm. If I want a wider field of view I can stitch.

I like your attitude.

robthebloke · 12-07-2014, 09:13 AM

Da21 or da35 macro. If I could chose two, the da15 and da35 macro.

AquaDome · 12-07-2014, 09:13 AM

DA-15mm Limited or DA-21mm Limited.

TaoMaas · 12-07-2014, 09:15 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

It really depends what your about with your landscapes.

That's the biggest question. "Which lens" really depends upon your vision. Are you someone who seeks to capture the wider view...or someone who wants to extract small snippets from the scene? Assuming a traditional sense of landscapes, I would vote for the 21mm.

**baro-nite** · 12-07-2014, 09:16 AM

Originally posted by FantasticMrFox

I don't quite understand the 31 or 50 mm suggestions above - for a general purpose prime I'd go for 30 or 35, but for landscapes?! I couldn't be bothered to spend hours of my life just stitching shots ...

300mm:

85mm and cropped a bit:

150mm:

And yes, I use wider lenses too.

Originally posted by bsamcash

I like your attitude.

Thx.

Stitching is a great tool. Can be hard to visualize the result, though.

**ramseybuckeye** · 12-07-2014, 09:49 AM

Originally posted by Kerrowdown

It really depends what your about with your landscapes, I've used everything from 15mm up to 300mm and most things in between to capture what I needed.

I totally agree with this. But if you are going to buy a prime for just landscapes buy a nice cheap manual focus, put it on a tripod and use focus peaking (if you have it).

Ace · 12-07-2014, 10:08 AM

If I had to go with only one I would get the limited 21mm. But with the cheap prices of the DA35 and DA50, I would go with the 15 limited and the 50 (or 35). With those two you have a nice range and both make for a very small kit that you can carry anywhere.

jer1 · 12-07-2014, 10:08 AM

Thanks all, for your responses. For now, I am thinking that what ramseybuckeye said makes sense. Maybe around 21mm?
Jerry

12-07-2014, 08:16 AM	#1
jer1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 37	whch single focal length lens? Hi everyone. I hope this is the right place to ask this question. If you were to get only one single focal length lens for general landscape photography, using an asp-c camera which prime lens would you select excluding ultra wide angle lenses? I'm not talking about a specific brand, just focal length. Thanks for replying. Jerry

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12-07-2014, 08:27 AM	#2
sergysergy Site Supporter Join Date: Jan 2011 Photos: Gallery Posts: 5,170	something between 14 to 35 mm

12-07-2014, 08:27 AM	#3
SpecialK Pentaxian Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: So California Photos: Gallery Posts: 16,481	The question has no meaningful answer. There are different focal lengths for a reasons. And you might want to mention a budget, otherwise everyone will recommend the FA 31 :-)

12-07-2014, 08:35 AM	#4
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	I suppose this thread would be a better fit in either Photographic Technique or Lens Discussion, so maybe a moderator will move it. 50mm. If I want a wider field of view I can stitch.

12-07-2014, 08:35 AM	#5
DSims Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Southern California Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,236	24mm is it for me. Previously I used the A24/2.8. Now I have the FA*24/2. Both are excellent.

12-07-2014, 09:01 AM	#6
FantasticMrFox Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2014 Location: Munich Posts: 2,339	For landscapes on a high-resolution camera like the K3 - something between 14 and 18 mm. I'd go for the DA 15 Limited. I don't quite understand the 31 or 50 mm suggestions above - for a general purpose prime I'd go for 30 or 35, but for landscapes?! I couldn't be bothered to spend hours of my life just stitching shots ...

12-07-2014, 09:07 AM	#7
Kerrowdown PEG Moderator Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Highlands of Scotland... "Hold Infinity in the palm of your hand" - William Blake Photos: Gallery Posts: 57,819	It really depends what your about with your landscapes, I've used everything from 15mm up to 300mm and most things in between to capture what I needed.

12-07-2014, 09:07 AM	#8
bsamcash Veteran Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cupertino, CA Photos: Albums Posts: 391	Used to be 35mm, but the FA 43 has changed my perspective. Originally posted by baro-nite 50mm. If I want a wider field of view I can stitch. I like your attitude.

12-07-2014, 09:13 AM	#9
robthebloke Veteran Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Location: Sydney Photos: Albums Posts: 844	Da21 or da35 macro. If I could chose two, the da15 and da35 macro.

12-07-2014, 09:13 AM	#10
AquaDome Veteran Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: New Carlisle, IN Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 1,475	DA-15mm Limited or DA-21mm Limited.

12-07-2014, 09:15 AM	#11
TaoMaas Pentaxian Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oklahoma City Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 3,574	Originally posted by Kerrowdown It really depends what your about with your landscapes. That's the biggest question. "Which lens" really depends upon your vision. Are you someone who seeks to capture the wider view...or someone who wants to extract small snippets from the scene? Assuming a traditional sense of landscapes, I would vote for the 21mm.

12-07-2014, 09:16 AM	#12
baro-nite Loyal Site Supporter Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: North Carolina, USA Photos: Gallery \| Albums Posts: 5,294	Originally posted by FantasticMrFox I don't quite understand the 31 or 50 mm suggestions above - for a general purpose prime I'd go for 30 or 35, but for landscapes?! I couldn't be bothered to spend hours of my life just stitching shots ... 300mm: 85mm and cropped a bit: 150mm: And yes, I use wider lenses too. Originally posted by bsamcash I like your attitude. Thx. Stitching is a great tool. Can be hard to visualize the result, though.

12-07-2014, 09:49 AM	#13
ramseybuckeye Site Supporter Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Hampstead, NC Photos: Gallery Posts: 17,292	Originally posted by Kerrowdown It really depends what your about with your landscapes, I've used everything from 15mm up to 300mm and most things in between to capture what I needed. I totally agree with this. But if you are going to buy a prime for just landscapes buy a nice cheap manual focus, put it on a tripod and use focus peaking (if you have it).

12-07-2014, 10:08 AM	#14
Ace Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2013 Location: Nevada Posts: 38	If I had to go with only one I would get the limited 21mm. But with the cheap prices of the DA35 and DA50, I would go with the 15 limited and the 50 (or 35). With those two you have a nice range and both make for a very small kit that you can carry anywhere.

12-07-2014, 10:08 AM	#15
jer1 Junior Member Join Date: Sep 2013 Posts: 37 Original Poster	Thanks all, for your responses. For now, I am thinking that what ramseybuckeye said makes sense. Maybe around 21mm? Jerry