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Archive 2010 · Best landscape equipment

bradf35
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p.1 #1 · p.1 #1 · Best landscape equipment

I know, not another one of these threads. I have about $3500 and am starting from scratch. I am looking to build the best landscape setup that I can. I generally like to shoot wide landscapes/seascapes. I usually like to shoot long exposures also. I've been reading a lot on the Zeiss 21mm lens, and I was considering a canon 5D, Zeiss 21mm, and a Tamron 28-75. Also looking at a 5d Mark II with a Canon 17-40 and Tamron 28-75. Any suggestions that I am not considering?

Jul 23, 2010 at 03:51 PM

Dragonfire
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p.1 #2 · p.1 #2 · Best landscape equipment

I have used the 5D and TS-E24L since they were new.

A new 5DII kit with 24-105L and a used TS-E24L would work nicely and fall within your budget.

Jul 23, 2010 at 04:59 PM

Bobster2
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p.1 #3 · p.1 #3 · Best landscape equipment

If you ask for advice in General Gear Talk they'll spend all your money on the tripod and head, plus bag and filters. If you ask here you won't have a cent left over for a tripod. You need a lot more than $3500 to start from scratch.

Jul 23, 2010 at 05:05 PM

BRR5
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p.1 #4 · p.1 #4 · Best landscape equipment

I just bought the Zeiss 21 and it produces stunning photos with my 5D markII. I compared my 24-70 against the 21 and much preferred the image results (color, bokah,etc) of the 21.
You will not be unhappy with this combination along with a good tripod and shutter release.
My 2¢ worth...............

Jul 23, 2010 at 05:32 PM

bradf35
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p.1 #5 · p.1 #5 · Best landscape equipment

I have a good tripod, shutter release, and filters. I didn't include money that I have set aside for a set of lee filters. I actually have $4000 to spend but am planning on $500 going towards lee filters. I already have every other filter that I would need.

Jul 23, 2010 at 05:53 PM

Don Clary
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p.1 #6 · p.1 #6 · Best landscape equipment

I'd suggest a 5D or 5DII, a 50mm f1.8 with lens shade $100, a solid tripod, preferably with a ball head with a pan base like RRS BH-40 $340, an RRS pano rail $110, an RRS right angle bracket $140 and perhaps $85 for PTGui stitching software. In other words, one body, one tripod, and perhaps $775 more for everything.

You place the camera in portrait format (using the RRS L plate), loosen the pan base, and in less than 3 seconds you fire 3 horizontal frames. You get either 39 or 78 MB of picture data that could give you a 40" x60" print, 300 dpi, of stunning image quality. You really have to do it and see it to believe the image quality. I have done it, and have the prints to prove it.

Jul 23, 2010 at 06:00 PM

Arka
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p.1 #7 · p.1 #7 · Best landscape equipment

- 5D Mark II (if you need pixels) or D700 (If you want a more rugged camera).
- Nikon 14-24 f/2.8 G (if you go 5D, get the adapter for it)
- 70-200 f/4L (don't need the IS)
- Induro or Feisol 4-section tripod. I use Gitzo, but they are costly.
- Acratech GP3 or RRS BH40.

That's a pretty good kit for landscape work. I've used the 17-40L, and found it to be sorely lacking when compared to the 14-24. The chatter on the web is that the Nikon wide performs at or above the level of the Zeiss 21 at 21mm... nice thing about the Nikon, however, is that you can go ultra wide as well, and still maintain that superlative image quality, even with the lens aperture wide open. If you went with a D700, you'd even have complete weather sealing and AF. I recently used that kit to shoot waterfalls, and also to do some starlight photography while backpacking in Yosemite.


	http://adchatte.ehost-services114.com/images/Landscape/Starlight03.jpg

Tripod and head are important; I keep a lightweight and heavier setup, though neither are particularly heavy. (Gitzo 0541 and 1541 tripods, RRS BH30 and Acratech GP3 heads)

The big advantage shooting landscape in Canon is the availability of a lightweight 70-200 f/4 zoom. I would try to find a non-IS version, as the savings are substantial. That, and the extra pixels in the 5D II, make Canon a very cost effective approach to landscape. I still prefer the look and feel of the Nikon cameras, but as long as you can use the 14-24 as a wide angle, I think you'd be in really good shape.

I realize that this kit takes you well over the $3500 limit. If you want a really lightweight trekking landscape setup, here's another set of recommendations;

- Olympus EP-2 or Panasonic GF-1
- Panasonic Lumix7-14 f/4
- Either the Olympus 14-150 f/3.5-5.6 or the Panasonic Lumix 14-140 f/4-f/5.8 OIS.
- Gitzo 0541 tripod with RRS BH30 head

That whole kit weighs under 5lbs, and still delivers great landscape IQ. It is also closer to your budget. I recently printed these images at 22.5x30, and they look positively gorgeous framed...


	http://adchatte.ehost-services114.com/images/Landscape/Sunset-tree-color.jpg


	http://adchatte.ehost-services114.com/images/Landscape/Zabriskie01.jpg


	http://adchatte.ehost-services114.com/images/Landscape/Badwater02.jpg

Jul 23, 2010 at 06:06 PM

LightShow
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p.1 #8 · p.1 #8 · Best landscape equipment

5D, 5DII, 1Ds, 1DsII, 1DsIII + TSE & or ZEiSS .
Kodak SLRc. If you don't mind something different.

Jul 23, 2010 at 06:11 PM

phidong
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p.1 #9 · p.1 #9 · Best landscape equipment

Bobster2 wrote:
If you ask for advice in General Gear Talk they'll spend all your money on the tripod and head, plus bag and filters. If you ask here you won't have a cent left over for a tripod. You need a lot more than $3500 to start from scratch.

so true

Jul 23, 2010 at 06:25 PM

Arka
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p.1 #10 · p.1 #10 · Best landscape equipment

It just occurred to me that another decent (and relatively simple) landscape solution might be a 5D mark II with a 24-105 f/4L... that kit can be had for around $3300. After a decent tripod, you're still over your budget, but at least you are close to $3500.

Arka C.

Jul 24, 2010 at 04:10 PM

charlesk
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p.1 #11 · p.1 #11 · Best landscape equipment

Actually the kit is quite a bit cheaper now if you shop around, and is a good general purpose option (and one I use most of the time).

But $3500 from scratch means tradeoffs and compromises, and the OP really needs to tell us more about his shooting style to be able to answer properly.

Jul 24, 2010 at 04:42 PM

chez
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p.1 #12 · p.1 #12 · Best landscape equipment

Pick up a good used 5d. Get a set of 3 zuiko lenses ( 21, 24, 28 ) and you'll be set to take some fantastic landscape photos, all for much less than your $3500 budget.

Jul 24, 2010 at 06:58 PM

bradf35
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p.1 #13 · p.1 #13 · Best landscape equipment

What more do you need to know about my shooting style? I already have a good tripod and any filter that I will need. I do want to get some Lee graduated ND filters, but I have money set aside for it that I didn't include in this discussion. I'm just looking for the best setup to take wide angle landscapes that I can for my money right now. I rarely shoot over 40mm tops. I have a 50mm f/1.8 left over and that will suffice for the very little portrait/general purpose pictures that I take. I shoot a lot of wide angle seascapes, and quite a bit of long exposures. I generally don't shoot wide open either. Looking for the best camera/lens combo for these purposes.

ETA: I did shoot a lot of sports in previous years and my gear was designed to shoot sports. I have since moved and don't shoot sports at all anymore. Now I am always shooting landscapes for my own enjoyment and am loving it. I live in a touristy area and would maybe eventually like to start selling my landscape pictures. I've read review after review and each one I read changes my mind. I'm just looking for the best combo.

Jul 24, 2010 at 08:53 PM

justruss
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p.1 #14 · p.1 #14 · Best landscape equipment

Beautiful shots Arka.

Jul 24, 2010 at 09:27 PM

systemlayers
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p.1 #15 · p.1 #15 · Best landscape equipment

I have to say that the 5D with Olympus OM 21 3.5 (smallest 21mm around by far) is a great landscape kit. The Zuikos do have quite a bit lower contrast than even canon lenses though. The OM 21 can be picked up for 350ish.
Then you could buy some very nice gear accessories.
Lets remember that while the nikon 14-24 is very nice i've seen adapter problems, it's exceptionally heavy and doesn't take front filters natively.
I'm personally waiting for the Tokina 16-24 but i'm cheap and i'm combining that with the Samyang 14 2.8.

Jul 24, 2010 at 09:39 PM

charlesk
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p.1 #16 · p.1 #16 · Best landscape equipment

Some of these obscure/exotic lens suggestions are more than a bit ludicrous as recommendations for a guy "starting from scratch".

Jul 24, 2010 at 09:53 PM

Peter Le
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p.1 #17 · p.1 #17 · Best landscape equipment

If you don`t plan printing bigger then 16 x 24 the original 5D is the best camera for what you describe. Around $ 1,000.....Lens, if you don`t want to mess with manual focus right away I would go with the 17 x 40 L. I know people will say it isn`t good enough...but that`s Bull....it not a prime but the picture it produces are excellent. If you don`t believe me do some google searches.....see what photographers have used it and the pictures they produced. Look up people like Marc Adimus and many others. Look at some on my sight......it not like the Zeiss glass I use now...but it is really an out standing lens on the 5D and you would have all this for less then $2,000 bucks. Save the rest for after you get more experience with landscape's. You will know more what you need then......but till then a 5D and 17 X 40 is a great combo......Peter

Jul 24, 2010 at 10:13 PM

systemlayers
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p.1 #18 · p.1 #18 · Best landscape equipment

charlesk wrote:
Some of these obscure/exotic lens suggestions are more than a bit ludicrous as recommendations for a guy "starting from scratch".
Whatever the Olympus 21 is popular with many landscapers because it's the smallest wide angle around, canon produces heavy weights yes optically most of the time and physically.
It's just a great performing lens in a tiny package, pure and simple in terms of hikability it's unmatched by any canon and i'd like to hear you refute that.

Jul 24, 2010 at 11:15 PM

ontime
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p.1 #19 · p.1 #19 · Best landscape equipment

charlesk wrote:
Some of these obscure/exotic lens suggestions are more than a bit ludicrous as recommendations for a guy "starting from scratch".

Like what?

Jul 25, 2010 at 12:23 AM

jstephens62
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p.1 #20 · p.1 #20 · Best landscape equipment

I just rented the Zeiss 21mm 2.8 for a week in the Canadian Rockies. In comparison to the Canon 24-105L, it is better, more pop to the image to my eye. But the difference is subtle, and for me right now does not justify the downside of another lens to carry around, lack of auto focus, and loss of flexibility of the zoom. For me, I am going to stick with my 17-40 and 24-105.

Since you mentioned the Lee filters, I did come back a big fan of HDR. It was overcast most of the time we were there with very diffuse light, good for animals and waterfalls, not so good for snow capped peaks at sunrise. I did some exposure bracketing and Photomatix Pro work when I got home, and wish I had done more. It really helped bring some flat images to life, without looking garish. To each his own, but I would rather fuss with less gear in the field if I can do the same thing, or better, with the image after I am home.

Jul 25, 2010 at 12:58 AM

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