Lens advice please...

[tjc]

Hi all.

Was just wondering if I could ask for some info/advice on getting a good lens for landscapes...

I`m gonna be getting a new Nikon D90 body very soon (but not for Chrimbo) so I`m gonna need a lens for it...

Landscape and outdoor photography is my thing so to speak, so a good lens for that is what I`m after.

Sadly, lol I cannot afford "top" quality but good quality glass is what I`m looking for. I`ll have a few hundred to spend (not exactly sure yet) so any suggestions from you good folk would very welcome.

Should I be looking for something like a 10-20 or a 12-24 or what? Prime or zoom?

What would be considered the best sort of lens for landscapes?

Cheers. :)

[Deemac]

The sigma 10-20mm is my weapon of choice for landscapes. Highly recommended. I have the Canon fitting but I know they do a Nikon fitting version. Also worth considering an ND grad.

[North Light]

tjc,
D90 gets some good reviews, image quality is supposed to be close to the D300.
Some questions, are you going to buy the "kit" lens (18-105VR) lens with the D90? If so I agree with Deemac about the Sigma 10 - 20 mm, although this will cost in the £300 in the UK.

If you are going for body only and looking for a good all round lens I would reccomed the Nikon 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens, this gets some very good reviews and is a good alrounder, will cost a little more at £370.

Nikon Lens Reviews

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests
http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

Hope this helps.

[tjc]

The sigma 10-20mm is my weapon of choice for landscapes. Highly recommended. I have the Canon fitting but I know they do a Nikon fitting version. Also worth considering an ND grad.

Thanks for the reply Deemac.

I`ve been looking at the Sigma 10-20mm and I have to say it looks a lovely bit of kit for sure.


It gets good reviews and a recommendation from you too... :cool:

VERY tempting...

Oh yeh, and grad(s) for sure... :)

[tjc]

tjc,
D90 gets some good reviews, image quality is supposed to be close to the D300.
Some questions, are you going to buy the "kit" lens (18-105VR) lens with the D90? If so I agree with Deemac about the Sigma 10 - 20 mm, although this will cost in the £300 in the UK.

If you are going for body only and looking for a good all round lens I would reccomed the Nikon 16-85mm f3.5-5.6 VR lens, this gets some very good reviews and is a good alrounder, will cost a little more at £370.

Nikon Lens Reviews

http://www.naturfotograf.com/lens_surv.html
http://www.photozone.de/nikon--nikkor-aps-c-lens-tests
http://www.bythom.com/nikon.htm

Hope this helps.

Many thanks North Light.

Youv`e provided a good bit of info to have a look through and some food for thought...

In answer to your question, I`m buying the D90 body only.

I have considered the possible need for a more "all round" good quality lens too and I`ll be casting my over the one you mention in your post.

My thinking was kind of along the lines of get a good bit of glass for the landscapes atm and then add to my lens "collection" if/when needed. (And when I can afford it, lol)

Mmm... I`ll be back, lol...

Cheers. :)

[tjc]

Ok...

I went through loads of reviews etc and spent a good bit of time thinking about things and considering my options and decided to go for a 12-24mm Tokina for my lens... :D

So...

I was wondering if I could get some filter advice or recommendations.

I`ve been looking at Hitech filters but have also been considering Lee filters so I was wondering what you all thought of each make...

Which do you own? (If you don`t mind saying that is)

Which have you had the chance to use?

Would you go for soft or hard or a combination? Should I try and get an ND as well as some ND Grads?

Loads of questions but I`d appreciate some advice/recommendations please.

Hope you all had a good xmas.

:)

[North Light]

tjc,
I use Lee filters, actually used to have a few Hitech many years ago but they were not big enough for an extreme wide angle lens.
I have both hard and soft, soft is good where there is no distinct horizon, hard is great for seascapes.
Below are some links that will help.
http://www.leefilters.com/camera/gallery/
http://www.great-landscape-photography.com/graduated-filters.html
http://www.bryanhansel.com/?p=1029
http://www.cambridgeincolour.com/tutorials/camera-lens-filters.htm

Tokina gets some good reviews, be sure if to get a wideangle adaptor mount for whichever filter system you go for.

[tjc]

Cheers North Light.

Yeh... the Tokina does get some good reviews and it`ll do the trick for now.

Thanks for the links. Will give them a look to see.

Yeh... wide angle adapter is the one. ;)