I need a recommendation for a good landscape lens.

[disneyfaninaz]

I have a Nikon D5000. I consider myself an intermediate photographer.

I have a 18-55 Nikkor kit lens which has done me well over the last four years that I use for landscapes now. I also have a Nikkor 18-300 telephoto lens, but the aperture ranges are the same.

I have a good chance of going on the DCL 7 night Norwegian Fjord cruise next summer and want to capture the stunning landscapes.

Is there a better lens out there? What lens would you recommend?

 

[WDWFigment]

I'd check out the Tokina 11-16mm f/2.8.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

Thanks. That looks like a great lens for focal length and aperture. Unfortunately, AF is not supported by the D5000 on it.

 

[havoc315]

Thanks. That looks like a great lens for focal length and aperture. Unfortunately, AF is not supported by the D5000 on it.

That's unfortunate, supposed to be a great lens. I've used the Tamron 10-24 for ultrawide and was happy with it, though it's not as good as the Tokina. Not sure if the D5000 supports AF.

But, if you're willing, manual focus is very very easy on ultrawide lenses.
You basically just keep them focused to infinity and stopped down a little bit.
For example, at an aperture of F8, and a focal length of 16mm, you focus at infinity for anything beyond about 6 feet.

At 11mm, and F5.6, everything beyond about 4 feet is infinity focus.

So just set the lens to infinity and around F8, and every landscape will be in focus.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

I guess there's 2 Tokina 11-16 lenses. The Tokina Pro AT-X DX-II 11-16 F2.8 will work with the D5000. Evidently, it's the newest version.

I might just have to add this to my Christmas list.

 

[photo_chick]

What is it that you feel like your current lenses aren't doing for you? There's a lot of great lenses out there to choose from and it's hard to make any kind of meaningful recommendation for you without knowing more.

 

[nigelp]

A lot of your scenic photos will be taken from the ship. You won't need a wide angle lens for these.

On a recent trip to Alaska (similar type of scenery), most of the scenic photos were taken at around 30-50mm.

 

[WDWFigment]

Thanks. That looks like a great lens for focal length and aperture. Unfortunately, AF is not supported by the D5000 on it.

Sorry, forgot about that. Another one I really liked is the Sigma 8-16mm. Not as high of quality as the Tokina, but it's really wide, which makes up for that a bit in my mind.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

When you are dealing with an Wide angle landscape photography, I don't think that AF is a must, with landscape you're taking in the entire scene usually that includes most everything in the distance, I usually end up throwing it into manual anyway and putting the focus ring on infinity anyway.... JMHO

 

[SkaGoat]

When you are dealing with an Wide angle landscape photography, I don't think that AF is a must, with landscape you're taking in the entire scene usually that includes most everything in the distance, I usually end up throwing it into manual anyway and putting the focus ring on infinity anyway.... JMHO

sure with landscapes AF isn't a must, but if I'm buying a lens (unless it's a fisheye) I'm going to want AF. It's crazy that Nikon still makes cameras that can't AF all F-mount lenses.

 

[disneyfaninaz]

What is it that you feel like your current lenses aren't doing for you? There's a lot of great lenses out there to choose from and it's hard to make any kind of meaningful recommendation for you without knowing more.

The 18-55 is great and I haven't any issues with the landscapes I have taken. With the exception of night time. When I was in San Francisco on DCL, I used my 35 mm at night and got some nice night shots, but it would have been nice to have a wider focal point with a lower aperture. That won't be an issue in Norway as it won't get dark in any of the ports. However, I thought a nice wider lens would be a nice addition to my collection to be able to capture those steep sides of the fjords and aerial views of the cities from above, especially in Bergen.

A lot of your scenic photos will be taken from the ship. You won't need a wide angle lens for these.

On a recent trip to Alaska (similar type of scenery), most of the scenic photos were taken at around 30-50mm.

I'm going to Alaska in May and got a lens to focus on the wildlife. I feel my 18-300 will be all I need for the landscape too.

 

[Daisy14'sDH]

sure with landscapes AF isn't a must, but if I'm buying a lens (unless it's a fisheye) I'm going to want AF. It's crazy that Nikon still makes cameras that can't AF all F-mount lenses.

There a plenty of manufacturers that make non AF lenses, I shoot in manual MF Quite often, most recently this past weekend with a 400mm f5.6 at the Around the Bay Road Race here in Hamilton. Its challenging and rewarding IMHO, if I had the resources for printing again, I'd rebuild the darkroom grow a beard, buy a red toque and wear skinny jeans I miss the anticipation of waiting to see if you got the shot you were after... but being as it is I love the instant gratification I get from digital

 

[havoc315]

sure with landscapes AF isn't a must, but if I'm buying a lens (unless it's a fisheye) I'm going to want AF. It's crazy that Nikon still makes cameras that can't AF all F-mount lenses.

Actually, it's not "still." It's the other way around-- somewhat older cameras CAN focus almost all lenses. New entry level bodies can't.
Guess it's to save money -- newer lower level Nikons no longer have an AF screw drive, and therefore they on,y support lenses with internal focus motors.
I guess Nikon is taking the approach that entry level users will only own a kit lens and maybe a couple other newer basic kit-type lenses.