What Type Of Lens Should I Use For Landscape Photography

Landscape photography is a genre that takes on many different forms. That’southward because information technology spans all the way from intimate and abstruse images to expansive panoramas. To be a successful landscape photographer, you can’t only rely on a blend of the right skills with a practiced agreement of photographic theory; yous’ll demand to have the correct equipment in your possession.

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While a camera will most likely exist your first and nearly of import buy, the next matter that you should look at are a few lenses to help yous realise your creative vision. In this article, we’ll examine some of the best lenses for landscape photography that will make a valuable addition to your drove.

Run across besides: Which Photographic camera Lens to Use? An Introduction to Focal Lengths

What Makes a Corking Landscape Photography Lens?

It’south a adept idea to practise your inquiry earlier making whatever investments, as camera lenses can get quite expensive. These are a few things that you should look for when shopping for a new lens.

Do your research before investing in a new lens. Photo by: ‘Pixabay’.

Focal Length

At that place are four main types of lenses that are used commonly in landscape photography. These include wide or ultra-wide bending lenses, standard zoom lenses, telephoto lenses and prime lenses.

Wide Angle / Ultra-Broad Angle Lens

Wide angle and ultra-wide angle lenses are the most popular lenses for landscape photography. Their focal lengths ordinarily range from xiv-35mm, though some can be every bit wide as 10 or 12mm.

The reason that they’re so revered is that they allow you to capture a big range of view and long depth of field, which is basically what most photographers want when they set out to photograph landscapes. These ii qualities mean that you’ll end up with images that are consistently abrupt in focus from the foreground all the way to the background.

<li> See also: five Cardinal Reasons to Employ a Broad Angle Lens in Republic of iceland</li> </ul> <hr> Standard Zoom Lens Standard zoom lenses usually range from 24-70mm. The beauty of this is that it provides a similar field of view to the human eye, which is mostly accustomed amid photographers to be around the 35-50mm range. Every bit such, y’all can create images that are more than realistic and which will resonate with your viewer. <iframe loading="lazy" allowfullscreen="" height="281" src="//world wide web.youtube.com/embed/U-18LgldwXw" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:subconscious;}html,torso{summit:100%;}img,span{position:absolute;width:100%;top:0;lesser:0;margin:auto;}bridge{top:i.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/one.5 sans-serif;colour:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/U-18LgldwXw?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/U-18LgldwXw/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

Standard zoom lenses are great for scenes where you might want to leave out some of the surrounding scenery. Vast amounts of empty space in the landscape effectually your subject can be quite distracting. By using a standard zoom lens in situations similar these, you can improve your compositions by placing the emphasis dorsum upon your subject field, simply by zooming in. It can likewise give you an advantage when y’all demand to go closer to your subject area without disturbing the environment, such as in the case of a fence or when surrounded past fragile vegetation.

Come across likewise: The Top Cameras for Landscape Photography in 2022

Telephoto Lens

Telephoto lenses, likewise known every bit ‘long lenses’, usually fall inside the 70-200mm range. They’re great for situations when yous might desire to demonstrate a sense of scale, equally they allow yous to compress the scene.

In landscape photography, you can use telephoto lenses to create more than intimate scenes past tightening your compositions and cutting out distractions. Another style to use a telephoto lens is to concentrate on textures and patterns for more abstract imagery.

When photographing landscapes, you lot may sometimes run into circumstances where you won’t be able to get closer to your subject. This is where the actress length of a telephoto zoom lens can come in handy.

See also: How to Use a Telephoto Lens for Mural Photography

Prime Lens

Prime lenses are those with a fixed focal length – that is, they don’t have whatever ability to zoom. They are nigh oftentimes used for sure applications, such equally photographing landscapes at night or when shooting stars.

Discontinuity </h3> These days, new cameras often come packaged with a default zoom lens. While kit lenses get in easier for photographers to get started shooting right abroad, they usually have a variable aperture (due east.k. f/four.5-v.6), which is not platonic for landscape photography. What you want to wait for is a lens with a fixed aperture (e.grand. f/two.8). Although fixed aperture zoom lenses may be expensive, they are more versatile in terms of applications – such every bit when you transition from daytime to night photography. <img loading="lazy" alt="Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022" src="https://ipt.imgix.net/205419/x/0/best-lenses-for-landscape-photography-in-2020-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&ch=Width%2CDPR&dpr=1&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=883" width="883" height="588" class="lazyload" title="Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022" data-old-src="data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAAAEAAAABCAYAAAAfFcSJAAAADUlEQVR42mP8/eZ3PQAJLwNj1W9/OwAAAABJRU5ErkJggg==" data-src="https://ipt.imgix.net/205419/x/0/best-lenses-for-landscape-photography-in-2020-3.jpg?auto=compress%2Cformat&ch=Width%2CDPR&dpr=1&ixlib=php-3.3.0&w=883"> Discontinuity is an of import affair to have note of when looking for a new lens. Photograph past: ‘Pixabay’. A lens with a fast aperture is particularly useful in low lite weather, such as when shooting sunrise and sunset. You’ll also need a lens with a fast aperture to capture the stars, moon, Milky Way or Northern Lights at night. While at that place is no all-time aperture for landscape photography, the aperture of your lens should exist f/iv or greater. Many zoom lenses these days have a fixed discontinuity of f/2.8, which is ideal for shooting in low lite. Some prime number lenses have fifty-fifty faster fixed apertures of f/i.8, f/one.4 and f/1.2. While the quality of prime lenses is often superior to zoom lenses, they can be heavy, costly and restrictive for mural photography. However, a lot of landscape photographers have a dedicated prime lens just for shooting at nighttime. If you have the budget and the physical ability to carry one, then a prime number lens with a fast aperture in addition to a few zoom lenses will be a good investment. <hr> <ul> <li> See also: How to Get Creative with a Fisheye Lens</li> </ul> <hr> <h3 dir="ltr"> Autofocus </h3> Although landscape photography is a much slower genre than sports photography, information technology notwithstanding pays to invest in a lens with autofocus abilities. Simply put, at that place volition exist times when focusing manually will become bothersome, such as when shooting landscapes handheld. <iframe loading="lazy" allowfullscreen="" height="281" src="//world wide web.youtube.com/embed/iBJEyN0TFOs" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden;}html,body{elevation:100%;}img,bridge{position:absolute;width:100%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;}span{height:1.5em;text-align:centre;font:48px/1.v sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/iBJEyN0TFOs?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/iBJEyN0TFOs/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

Switching to manual focus is best for situations when the autofocus may neglect, such as when shooting in low light weather condition or at nighttime.

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Image Stabilisation / Vibration Reduction

Most lenses these days come up with in-congenital paradigm stabilisation technology, which works to reduce camera shake. This can be handy, not just when you are shooting handheld but as well in windy atmospheric condition. It’s especially useful for shooting in low light and can mean all the difference between a blurry shot or 1 that is sharp.

<li> Run across also:  Overview of the Sony A7R Cameras for Landscape Photography</li> </ul> <hr> <h3 dir="ltr"> Weather Resistance </h3> Capturing landscapes ways that yous’ll exist spending a lot of time outdoors, in all sorts of weather atmospheric condition. To ensure that your lens doesn’t malfunction with a little bit of pelting or moisture when yous’re out in-field, choose i that is weather-sealed and constructed from durable materials. <iframe loading="lazy" allowfullscreen="" height="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/r-TW4uC28ZM" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden;}html,trunk{height:100%;}img,bridge{position:absolute;width:100%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;}span{summit:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/i.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/r-TW4uC28ZM?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/r-TW4uC28ZM/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

See also: Best Lenses for Dark Photography

Things to Consider Before Purchasing

Buying a new lens for your camera is not as simple equally information technology seems. Not all lenses will be compatible with your camera. For example, you won’t be able to employ a Nikon lens with a Catechism photographic camera, unless you have a special lens adapter. Fifty-fifty with a lens adapter, at that place volition be drawbacks to using lenses made by other manufacturers. Features such as autofocus and image stabilisation may end to work.

In that location are many lenses on the market these days, bated from Canon, Nikon and Sony. Photo by: ‘Pixabay’.

Having said that, some third-party lens manufacturers – such as Sigma, Tamron and Tokina – produce lenses with specific mounts that will fit unlike camera brands. Whether the mount is compatible with your camera is something that you will certainly need to check earlier you buy a lens.

Bated from that, another thing that you will need to be enlightened of is whether your photographic camera is a crop sensor (APS-C) or full frame. Camera manufacturers often produce ii lines of lenses – one that is designed to be used with the former and one that is for use with the latter.

While nearly full frame lenses may be used with crop sensor cameras, the aforementioned cannot be said of the reverse. Additionally, crop sensor cameras have a narrower angle of view, which reduces the effect of full frame broad-angle lenses. This crop factor will need to be taken into account if you plan on using full frame lenses with your APS-C photographic camera.

Another important affair that y’all will demand to consider when purchasing a new lens is which focal lengths you lot volition need to cover. In landscape photography, information technology’s best to accept a minor collection of “go-to” lenses that you tin take anywhere with you in your camera bag. If y’all have a big collection of lenses, so chances are that there volition exist some that you’ll end up using all the time and others that you’ll never apply at all. The ideal combination of lenses for mural photography is normally a broad-bending lens, standard zoom lens and a telephoto lens. These will usually cover focal lengths all the mode from 16mm to 200mm. Even so, as we mentioned before, you may also like to invest in a dedicated ultra-wide angle lens with a fast aperture, particularly if you plan on doing a lot of dark photography. <hr> <ul> <li> See also: The Best Lenses for Wild animals Photography</li> </ul> <hr> <h2 dir="ltr">Best Wide Angle Lenses for Mural Photography </h2> <h3 dir="ltr"> Nikon 14-24mm f/two.8G ED </h3> RRP: $i,899.95 USD The Nikon 14-24mm f/2.8G ED is i of the all-time lenses on the marketplace for mural photography. This lens is designed to fit both crop sensor and full frame cameras. It also has a nano crystal blanket which reduces ghosting and flare. The autofocus function includes the Nikon Silent Wave Motor, which ways that the lens will not brand a lot of noise when autofocusing. Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Fast, fixed aperture for shooting during the solar day or dark. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Well-built with dust and moisture resistance. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Internal focusing technology enables high-speed autofocus. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quiet functioning. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Maintains sharpness from the eye of the lens to the corners across focal lengths. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> At 1kg (35.3 oz), it is non very pocket-size or light, then can exist cumbersome when hiking. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Front end element protrudes, so it is piece of cake to damage and you will need a special filter holder. </li> </ul> <hr> <ul> <li> Meet too:  The Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in Iceland</li> </ul> <hr> <h3 dir="ltr"> Canon EF sixteen-35mm f/4L IS USM </h3> RRP: $1,099.00 USD Although Canon has released the 16-35mm f/ii.8L 3 IS USM, the f/iv still remains i of the manufacturer’south all-time lenses for landscape photography. The reason for this is quite simple: it’south groovy value for money. Weighing in at 615g (21.69 oz), this lens is relatively light which ways that it’s piece of cake to bring along on adventures. Unlike its successor, it has image stabilisation, which makes it all the more useful for landscape photography. Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Image stabilisation – great for utilize in low light, likewise equally during dusk and dawn when shooting without a tripod. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Well constructed; dust and water resistant. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Edge to border sharpness. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quiet and fast autofocus. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Slower discontinuity of f/iv means information technology is not a great choice for night or astrophotography. Nonetheless, information technology volition still perform well at sunrise or sunset when mounted to a tripod. </li> </ul> <iframe allowfullscreen="" elevation="281" src="//world wide web.youtube.com/embed/7jOXzWUg6Vc" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden;}html,torso{height:100%;}img,span{position:accented;width:100%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;}span{height:i.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em blackness;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/7jOXzWUg6Vc?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/7jOXzWUg6Vc/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

See also: The All-time Landscape Photography Lenses for Sony East-Mount Cameras

Sony Fe sixteen-35mm f/2.8 GM

RRP: $2,199.99 USD

The Sony Fe xvi-35mm f/ii.eight GM lens is suitable for Sony’s range of Due east-mount cameras. Information technology is known as i of the manufacturer’southward sharpest lenses and produces quite a nice sunstar. The fast aperture means that you’ll be able to shoot in depression light conditions without whatever problems. Weighing in at 680g (24 oz), it’south light and a great choice for landscape photography.

Advantages:

Shine bokeh.
Dust and moisture resistant.

Disadvantages:

Very expensive, though yous get what you lot pay for!

<li role="presentation"> See also: Camera & Gear Reviews</li> </ul> <hr> <h3 dir="ltr"> Sigma 14mm f/1.eight DG HSM Fine art </h3> RRP: $1,599.00 USD When this lens was released by Sigma, it took the mural photography world by storm. That’s considering it is an incredibly abrupt and fast prime lens that is platonic for astrophotography. When you concur this lens, you’ll realise that it’s well-constructed with dust and splash-proof materials. Information technology’s truly a masterpiece of beauty! Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Very footling blackout, and so stars are sharp close to the edges of the image. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Very fast aperture. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Available in mounts to suit different camera systems. </li> <li dir="ltr"> In-built autofocus. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Bulbous front chemical element is easy to damage and doesn’t support filters. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quite heavy at i.17kg (41.27 oz). </li> </ul> <hr> <ul> <li> See too: The Best Photographic camera Bags for 2022</li> </ul> <hr> <h2 dir="ltr">Best Standard Zoom Lenses for Mural Photography </h2> <h3 dir="ltr"> Nikon 24-70mm f/two.8E ED VR </h3> RRP:  $2,399.95 USD This lens is versatile and rugged. It has swell edge to edge sharpness and performs well in low lite weather condition. With dust and wet resistance, it’s a perfect lens to take out for landscape photography. Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Fast aperture. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quiet and speedy autofocus. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Superb colour rendition. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Vibration reduction. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Heavy to lug around. Weighs in at ane.07kg (38.four oz). </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quite expensive. </li> </ul> <iframe allowfullscreen="" summit="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/W_8bf5oQ-3I" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden;}html,body{acme:100%;}img,span{position:absolute;width:100%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:auto;}bridge{top:1.5em;text-align:middle;font:48px/ane.v sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/W_8bf5oQ-3I?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/W_8bf5oQ-3I/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

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Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM

RRP: $2,199.99 USD

This G-Chief lens past Sony offers great image quality and produces quite a lovely sunstar. It’s as well great for shooting at night, is quite sharp in the centre and extremely versatile. This is a good choice for landscape photography.

Advantages:

Dust and moisture resistant.
Sony Nano AR Coating to eliminate flare and ghosting.
Fast and placidity autofocus.

Disadvantages:

Weighs in at 885.92g (31.25 oz), making it quite heavy to deport around.
Soft edge sharpness.

Canon 24-70mm f/ii.8L II USM </h3> RRP:  $1,599.00 USD Although this lens may be considered quite old now, information technology still remains one of the best lenses for landscape photography on the marketplace today. Information technology is durably constructed with grit sealing, h2o resistance and special fluorine coatings on both the front and rear lens surfaces, which helps to reduce smudges and fingerprints. Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Zoom lock lever. Ensures safety when carrying your camera around outdoors. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Fast discontinuity. Performs well in low lite. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Fast autofocus. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Very sharp. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> No image stabilisation. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quite heavy at 805g (28.4 oz). </li> </ul> <iframe allowfullscreen="" superlative="281" src="//world wide web.youtube.com/embed/SWeFGLUHdRA" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:subconscious;}html,body{pinnacle:100%;}img,span{position:absolute;width:100%;tiptop:0;lesser:0;margin:auto;}span{top:1.5em;text-align:center;font:48px/1.five sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/SWeFGLUHdRA?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/SWeFGLUHdRA/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

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Best Telephoto Lenses for Mural Photography

Canon EF 70-300mm f/four-5.6 IS USM

RRP: $649.99. USD

While the Canon seventy-200mm f/2.8 IS Ii USM is much sharper than the seventy-300mm, it is also heavier and larger. The 70-300mm lens is more compact, making it superior for landscape photography – non to mention that it’s much more attractive in price!

Advantages:

Compact. Fits hands in a camera pocketbook.
Lightweight (710g), so good for travelling.
Image stabilisation.
Great value for price.

Disadvantages:

Variable aperture of f/4-5.6. Can’t reach shallow depth of field.
Non equally sharp as the Canon lxx-200mm f/2.viii IS Ii USM. Soft corners.
Tin can be tedious to autofocus.

Nikon 70-200mm f/2.8G ED VR Ii </h3> RRP:  $2,099.95 USD This lens performs consistently well in terms of sharpness, colour production and contrast. It is durable and conditions resistant, making it a good choice for telephoto landscape photography. Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Fast discontinuity. Good for low light conditions. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Vibration reduction. Great for handheld shooting. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Repose autofocus. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Very heavy at 1.54kg (54.three oz). </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quite expensive. </li> </ul> <iframe allowfullscreen="" elevation="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZWfHm_yHPNg" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:hidden;}html,body{height:100%;}img,span{position:absolute;width:100%;top:0;bottom:0;margin:car;}span{elevation:one.5em;text-marshal:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;colour:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/ZWfHm_yHPNg?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/ZWfHm_yHPNg/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

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Sony Iron lxx-200mm f/two.eight GM OSS

RRP: $ii,599.99 USD

The Sony lxx-200mm f/two.8 is a Yard Master Series telephoto lens with in-built image stabilisation and great image quality. While it can exist difficult to bring along for hikes due in part to its weight, it is very precipitous and performs well when capturing landscapes.

Advantages:

Fast aperture. Smashing bokeh.
Grit and moisture resistant.

Disadvantages:

Expensive.
Very heavy at 1.48kg (52.21 oz).

Tamron SP lxx-200mm f/2.8 Di VC USD </h3> RRP:  $i,299.00 USD The Tamron is a slap-up culling telephoto lens for mural photography. Information technology is sharp and performs just as well as lenses produced by the “main” camera manufacturers, so don’t expect it to come with too low of a price tag. Advantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Comes in Sony, Catechism and Nikon mounts. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Vibration bounty reduces camera milkshake. </li> <li dir="ltr"> Quiet and fast autofocus. </li> </ul> Disadvantages: <ul> <li dir="ltr"> Heavy at i.47kg (51.9 oz). </li> </ul> <iframe allowfullscreen="" tiptop="281" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/xmzbkcgWrIs" width="500" srcdoc=" <style>*{padding:0;margin:0;overflow:subconscious;}html,body{acme:100%;}img,bridge{position:absolute;width:100%;acme:0;lesser:0;margin:auto;}span{height:1.5em;text-marshal:center;font:48px/1.5 sans-serif;color:white;text-shadow:0 0 0.5em black;}</style> <a href="//www.youtube.com/embed/xmzbkcgWrIs?autoplay=1&mute=1"><img src="//img.youtube.com/vi/xmzbkcgWrIs/maxresdefault.jpg" loading="lazy">▶</a>” title=”Best Lenses for Landscape Photography in 2022 – video” class=”lazyload”>

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Now that you’ve got our picks for the all-time lenses for landscape photography, it’s time to decide which lens is best for you. Taking into account all of the information that we’ve provided, examine your budget and recollect about what kinds of landscapes you desire to shoot. Nosotros’ve focused on lenses that fit the 3 main camera manufacturers: Catechism, Sony and Nikon. Continue in heed though that there are other brands out in that location, so be sure to do your research prior to making a purchase.

About the author:Serena Dzenisis a mural photographer based in Iceland. You can find more of her piece of work on her website or by following her on Facebook and Instagram.

What are your favourite lenses for landscape photography? Practise y’all have lenses to cover all focal lengths? Share your thoughts in the comments below!