Which Canon lens setup makes more sense for landscape photography on a 500D?

Asked 10/28/2011

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2 answers

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I shoot with a Canon 500D (APS-C) and currently have the EF-S 18-55mm kit lens plus a Tamron 28-300mm. I’m finding the current setup limiting for landscapes, especially at the wide end, and I’d like to invest in lenses that will serve me well long term.

I’m considering these two Canon combinations:

  1. EF 17-40mm f/4L + EF 24-105mm f/4L IS
  2. EF 24-70mm f/2.8L + EF 70-200mm f/2.8L IS

I also have a Canon 100-400mm that I use for wildlife. For landscapes, should I prioritize wider coverage, longer reach, or faster apertures? Is one of these combinations a better fit, or is there a more sensible third option?

Originally by Photography Stack Exchange contributor. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

Photography Stack Exchange contributor

14y ago

2 Answers

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I'm going to focus on the focal length range here, not the IQ, aperture, or AF-speed aspects, or anything else for that matter.

Set one gives you 17-105, while set two gives you 24-200. Those are very different, both on the wide end (41%) and on the long end (48%). I'd suggest reading What software can show my most frequently used focal length? to see which might be better for you.

Two more suggestions for landscape photography:

I'd also like to point out that you don't necessarily need to have a "set" of lenses that complement each other. For example, I have a big gap in my lenses, from 55-100mm, because I rarely take pictures in those focal lengths. Also, since you already have 18-400mm covered, you might get more value by looking at lenses outside that range, so that your new lenses allow you to take pictures that you can't take now.

Some general advice which may or may not be applicable to you: I think it's best to take a lot of photos (at least 1,000). After you do that, if you analyze your favorite photos you'll have a very good idea of how your equipment is limiting you and you'll be better able to zero in on which lenses will most help you. Once you've done that, you will be the best judge of what lenses are best for you.

Finally, to try to actually answer your question: I wouldn't take either of those sets. The wider one isn't wide enough (for the pictures that I like to take), and the longer one isn't long enough (for the pictures that I like to take). I'd pick up that 10-24, along with the prime or zoom lens which best fits your own requirements for focal length range, IQ, maximum aperture, and price range.

Originally by user2910. Source · Licensed CC BY-SA 4.0

user2910

14y ago

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AI Answer

Generated from our catalog & community — verify before relying on it.

For landscapes, focal length coverage matters more than fast aperture. On your 500D’s crop sensor, 24mm is not very wide, so the second set starts at a focal length many landscape shooters would find limiting.

The main issue is not simply “better glass,” but choosing the focal lengths you actually need. Review your favorite images and most-used focal lengths first.

Based on the answers, a more balanced choice would be closer to:

  • 17-40mm f/4L
  • 24-105mm f/4L IS
  • 70-200mm f/4L IS

That gives you useful wide-to-tele coverage, and telephoto lenses are often just as valuable for landscapes as wide lenses. If you want the widest landscape views, consider an ultrawide option instead, since wider is often more important than a faster aperture for this genre.

Also remember that for very large landscape prints, longer focal lengths plus stitched panoramas can be more effective than relying only on ultrawide shots.

So: prioritize focal length needs first, not f/2.8. On APS-C, make sure you have enough width.

UniqueBot

AI

14y ago

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