Great video and excellent presentation on ultra wide angle lenses. I just recently purchased a Nikon 10-20mm f4.5-5.6G for my Nikon D3500. It takes great pictures and the distortion isn't bad at all. I like doing waterfalls and architecture. I was able to get a 72mm Tiffen UV and Polarizer filter to complete my setup. Couldn't be happier.
Great video, Michael. UWA lenses definitely are great tools for really exaggerated scenes. BTW that rock at 2:32 could be a super interesting subject on a UWA at sunset! I must say though that my uber-UWA lens (the Canon 11-24) is my least used lens. Not because of the huge size, but because it is such a rare instance where stretching perspective to 11 - 13mm is the right choice.
Hey, Brian! Good to hear from! Yeah, I think most people would probably agree with you. However, when you need it, it's a great tool to have in the bag. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Take care, buddy!
I'm just a hobbyist on a budget with an old Canon 70D. For years, I only had a couple general purpose lenses, but with EF-S glass going for peanuts on the used market these days, I've begun building a small collection of more specialized lenses, including an EF-S 10-22mm. I'm mostly in the city, and it's opened up all kinds of compositional possibilities.
It's all about the glass! Camera bodies come and go, but those lenses will likely be with you for life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching!
Sounds like your opinion on panos is the same as mine... I once took my daughter to a workshop and the guy running it said she only needed a standard lens. (That set off alarm bells for me.) Of course I show up with 60 lbs of glass and he asks why. My answer... I refuse to limit myself. He didn't appreciate it but... oh well. I got some great shots and sold about a dozen from that week. He didn't.
@@kimhotham6751 It’s all about the glass! I can’t see any seasoned photographer asking why you brought so many lenses. The lens is like a painter brush. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Nice presentation Michael I use a few wide angle lenses.14mm ,20mm,16 35mm ,17 40mm. I only use these lenses after researching the area before heading to the chosen location.Most of my images are taken in the 24mm focal range. The wide lenses are used to,what I call ‘’match the hatch’’. The area I wish to photograph dictates if I need to use a wide angle lens. Take care
Hey, Glenn! Thanks for stopping by! Good to hear from you. True, for the best composition, it's best to let the situation dictate the lens. Take care, buddy!
I just purchased the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 for my X-T5 and I love the unique images that these UW lenses can produce. One can really get creative with the environment, not to mention the usefulness of these lenses indoors in building. They make for great architectural shots both indoors in confined spaces, and outdoors where you want to capture the entire building/skyline etc. Yes, they have their challenges such as barrel distortion, but this can be correct in post. The Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 and Fuji 18-55mm F2.8-4 are all I need for my landscape and portrait needs.
It's always a pleasure to hear from someone happy with their lens. The other day, I mentioned the importance of being satisfied with one's gear. However, some suggest that ultra-wide-angle lenses are unacceptable for landscape photography because they are unrealistic. I beg to differ; it comes down to the photographer and personal preference. Art is in the eye of the beholder. As for myself, I treasure my 14-24-mm, and it's a pleasure to use when I have opportunities to unleash its power. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching.
Well-presented! Useful! Thanks! I noticed, during a 2015 road trip across the US South, from SE Texas to the DC/Chesapeake and southern PA areas, I tended to use my 24-70/2.8G ED, on a D700, for almost everything, usually setting the zoom about somewhere between 28mm and 35mm, or, about 40mm. These two areas, along the zoom range, just looked right. I used my 14-24/2.8G, on a second D700, mostly at night, among the monuments in DC. So, my ultra-wide-angle zoom was good to have with me, but, I wondered whether the weight and bulk was worth the effort of hauling it about. I did, thankfully, keep my bag small, just large enough for one camera, with its lens, at a time. I kept the “primary” camera on a supple, wide strap, worn cross-body. Our next road trip, in 2016, also across the south, from SE Texas to GA, had a reason to shoot macro at one location. My macro system being Canon, I brought a 35mm f/2 lens, and the 100mm Macro L. Bad weather did limit stopping for landscape vistas, but, 35mm sufficed for everything landscape-ish, plus general shooting, and I do not feel that I missed anything. During multiple subsequent day trips, within Texas, I have used a 40mm Voigtlander or 45mm Nikon lens, both “pancakes,” without feeling that I was missing any shots. By 2019, I had added the Leica M system. For a multi-thousand-mile trip, taking largely scenic routes, to the NJ/NYC area, then into Upstate NY, and a more-direct return route along a scenic areas, I used a 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon ZM lens for the vast majority of the images, including landscapes, and an amazingly competent yet compact film-era Zeiss 21mm f/4.5 ZM lens for a few quick landscapes at one location. My much-loved 50mm Leica M lens stayed in the bag. (50mm lens was a “people” lens, for me, at that time, and this was a solo road trip, with time constraints.) Since my 2019 road trip, I have been experimenting locally, with short telephoto lenses for landscapes, and only recently have been looking into how to stitch panoramas, using series of images captured with the optically very-well-corrected Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar, a recent addition. I hope to get away from this flat coastal plain, starting in April, and get into some rolling, hilly, and perhaps mountainous terrain. I would especially like to return to a TN portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway, in weather likely to produce misty conditions, in the steep terrain, if I can time it right.
Looks like you've done your fair share of traveling! Someday I'd like to go back to Natchez Trace and explore that entire area. Really nice place! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for the interesting video. What is greatly under-estimated is that an UW lens requires excellent composition skills. Too often I have seen large and boring stones/rocks in the foreground, dominating the complete picture, whereas the spectacular landscape (mountains, waterfalls) are tiny in the background. In ealier years the UW lenses cost a fortune, and some focal lenghts of today were simply not available. Nikon‘s legendary 13mm f/5.6 was built to order and coat as much as a decent new car, today every amateur can afford UW lenses. My advice: spend the money first for classes in books and classes about composition. The lenses can wait.
You're right; it's much wiser to spend one's money on books and classes. Indeed, using an ultra-wide lens requires excellent compositional abilities. 100 percent agree; the art is in the composition. Thanks for watching, and thank you for sharing your thoughts!
@ honestly, I think it’s easy to do. I sometimes find myself trying to “make” a composition work. Finding that balance between the foreground and the background is key.
I got rid of mine 14 to 24 because of the filter instead now use a 17 to 35 that has a 77 mm filter screwing and is a lot lighter. There are times I wish I've still had the old lens but couldn't justify carrying the filter, the only filter I use these days is a polarizer on water with no sky. It's so easy the dark in the sky and post production.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Although I'm glad that I purchased the 14-24 now, I did consider the 16-35 f/4. With my arch photography, an extra couple millimeters goes a very long way. Good to hear from you! Thanks for watching!
Hi great video on the 14-24 f2.8 lens . Even though i bought a really good second hand on about a year ago. I still enjoy watching youtube videos on this lens because i can always learn something new. I really love this lens even though ive had to spend money on another filter system but it was worth it. I bought the Nisi s6 holder. I like the idea you can use the Lee filter holder for other lenses great advantage. I would like to ask which remote shutter release do you use? . Look forward to seeing more of your videos and yes i will like and subscribe 👍.
Hello Stephen! Yeah, the 14-24 is certainly a special lens despite the huge filters. I use the Nikon MC-30A shutter release; it's simple and reliable. I've used a few other off-brands in the past, but they eventually failed. The Nikon MC-30A is a tank and just keeps on working. Thanks for watching and subscribing, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
I love ultra wides, but you need foreground or symmetry to make it work well. To me either of these two makes it key to having good shots, versus just capturing everything you see in a boring way.
Absolutely 100% true! An image without balance lacks interest, regardless of what's in the composition. Foreground is a key element with an ultra wide-angle lens! Great comment! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching! Take care!
Great Video! May I ask...what are your thoughts of using wide angle, versus 4x5 view cameras that offer tilt/shift movements...in comparison with simply a wide or ultra-wide lens. ...or some of the specialty tilt/shift lenses and or adapters. I agree with you about ensuring foreground elements are in an image. It's surprising to me how I see so many landscape images that do NOT include foreground elements. ...whereas foreground elements were the rule in the "heyday of the 4x5 field cameras". 🤔
Honestly, my dream lens would be a tilt-shift at approximately 14-35mm. Indeed, I would already own a tilt-shift lens if not for the cost and the fixed focal length. I thought about the Nikon 19mm f/4E, and I may still buy it one day. Anyway, I guess I’ll keep shooting with what I have for now. Thanks for the excellent comment, and thank you for watching!
@@ScottymanPhoto Thank you for replying! I've wondered quite a bit about modern images, compared with "old" 4x5 images...since I've seen a lot videos on landscape photography...that show foreground content completely lacking in so many of the images. Photographers do the best they can, of course. I wonder about the Fotodiox tilt shift adapters...maybe coupled with a medium format Mamiya for a large image circle. But that setup might end up being a full half the cost of the Nikon you described. :)
@@TrilobitesRTasty I have no experience with Fotodiox adapters; they may do a fine job, and they're not that expensive. On the other hand, I've considered buying a Mamiya or a Pentax 67ii. Who knows, maybe one day. Take care!
I have 16-35mm and always missing those few wide angle mm so I was crawling for 14mm but my 16-35mm did all I need. For big scenes I tried to cheat and do pano but it's not the same. Sobi got 14mm f4 from Loawa the size of nifty Fifty lens. Those both works like charm 🤙
A 14mm prime is a great choice. I could probably live without the extra 15-24mm, but that 14mm is fantastic for so many applications in landscape photography. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching! Take care!
As ultra wide lenses strongly emphasize the foreground it should better be interesting. This can often be the case in cityscapes, but rarely in landscapes. Ask yourself: Are these rocks, roots or flowers really so special that they should fill the frame -- or is my real motive the mountain chain in the background?
As for myself, I think it depends on the composition. One never knows when the situation will arise, but when it happens, it can be magical. Thanks for watching, and thank you for sharing your thoughts!
Prime lenses are good choices, and the sigma offers quality glass. I guess I would ask myself, what is it I like about those photos, e.g., the depth of field, perspective, or the composition. Thanks for watching, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Yes..and I'll tell you why I sell images and yes I take lots with my zoom lenses but guess what sells for prints and canvasses...wide angle shots I'm a professional landscape photographer and wide angle shots sell and look better on prints It's all about balance 😮 35mm is what human eye sees
That's a good point! I wonder if the wide-angle sales could be attributed to the availability of prints. The market is saturated with the mundane images. Seems like less people shoot ultra wide. Nevertheless, when done right, a wide-angle print can be quite breathtaking! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Excellent video, mate. I agree with the sentiment: let the landscape determine the lens.
Thanks for watching! I do love the 14-24!
@@ScottymanPhoto For the work you do, it sure makes a lot of sense. Love those arches.
@@peterfritzphoto Thank you, Peter! As always, I appreciate your support!
Great video and excellent presentation on ultra wide angle lenses. I just recently purchased a Nikon 10-20mm f4.5-5.6G for my Nikon D3500. It takes great pictures and the distortion isn't bad at all. I like doing waterfalls and architecture. I was able to get a 72mm Tiffen UV and Polarizer filter to complete my setup. Couldn't be happier.
Glad it was helpful! You should be able to make some fantastic photos with that setup. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching!
Great video, Michael. UWA lenses definitely are great tools for really exaggerated scenes. BTW that rock at 2:32 could be a super interesting subject on a UWA at sunset! I must say though that my uber-UWA lens (the Canon 11-24) is my least used lens. Not because of the huge size, but because it is such a rare instance where stretching perspective to 11 - 13mm is the right choice.
Hey, Brian! Good to hear from! Yeah, I think most people would probably agree with you. However, when you need it, it's a great tool to have in the bag. Thanks for sharing your thoughts. Take care, buddy!
I'm just a hobbyist on a budget with an old Canon 70D. For years, I only had a couple general purpose lenses, but with EF-S glass going for peanuts on the used market these days, I've begun building a small collection of more specialized lenses, including an EF-S 10-22mm. I'm mostly in the city, and it's opened up all kinds of compositional possibilities.
It's all about the glass! Camera bodies come and go, but those lenses will likely be with you for life. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching!
Tools for the job... what a concept!!
Sounds like your opinion on panos is the same as mine... I once took my daughter to a workshop and the guy running it said she only needed a standard lens. (That set off alarm bells for me.) Of course I show up with 60 lbs of glass and he asks why. My answer... I refuse to limit myself. He didn't appreciate it but... oh well. I got some great shots and sold about a dozen from that week. He didn't.
@@kimhotham6751 Thanks for watching!
@@kimhotham6751 It’s all about the glass! I can’t see any seasoned photographer asking why you brought so many lenses. The lens is like a painter brush. Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Nice presentation Michael
I use a few wide angle lenses.14mm ,20mm,16 35mm ,17 40mm.
I only use these lenses after researching the area before heading to the
chosen location.Most of my images are taken in the 24mm focal range.
The wide lenses are used to,what I call ‘’match the hatch’’.
The area I wish to photograph dictates if I need to use a wide angle lens.
Take care
Hey, Glenn! Thanks for stopping by! Good to hear from you. True, for the best composition, it's best to let the situation dictate the lens. Take care, buddy!
Loving my Sony FE 12-24mm F/2.8 GM and my 16-35mm F/2.8 GM II, all I need
That's a good focal range for almost anything you're faced with. Thanks for watching, Richard!
I just purchased the Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 for my X-T5 and I love the unique images that these UW lenses can produce. One can really get creative with the environment, not to mention the usefulness of these lenses indoors in building. They make for great architectural shots both indoors in confined spaces, and outdoors where you want to capture the entire building/skyline etc.
Yes, they have their challenges such as barrel distortion, but this can be correct in post.
The Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 and Fuji 18-55mm F2.8-4 are all I need for my landscape and portrait needs.
It's always a pleasure to hear from someone happy with their lens. The other day, I mentioned the importance of being satisfied with one's gear. However, some suggest that ultra-wide-angle lenses are unacceptable for landscape photography because they are unrealistic. I beg to differ; it comes down to the photographer and personal preference. Art is in the eye of the beholder. As for myself, I treasure my 14-24-mm, and it's a pleasure to use when I have opportunities to unleash its power. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching.
Great video.
Thank you, Phil! Glad you enjoyed it!
Well-presented! Useful! Thanks!
I noticed, during a 2015 road trip across the US South, from SE Texas to the DC/Chesapeake and southern PA areas, I tended to use my 24-70/2.8G ED, on a D700, for almost everything, usually setting the zoom about somewhere between 28mm and 35mm, or, about 40mm. These two areas, along the zoom range, just looked right. I used my 14-24/2.8G, on a second D700, mostly at night, among the monuments in DC. So, my ultra-wide-angle zoom was good to have with me, but, I wondered whether the weight and bulk was worth the effort of hauling it about. I did, thankfully, keep my bag small, just large enough for one camera, with its lens, at a time. I kept the “primary” camera on a supple, wide strap, worn cross-body.
Our next road trip, in 2016, also across the south, from SE Texas to GA, had a reason to shoot macro at one location. My macro system being Canon, I brought a 35mm f/2 lens, and the 100mm Macro L. Bad weather did limit stopping for landscape vistas, but, 35mm sufficed for everything landscape-ish, plus general shooting, and I do not feel that I missed anything. During multiple subsequent day trips, within Texas, I have used a 40mm Voigtlander or 45mm Nikon lens, both “pancakes,” without feeling that I was missing any shots.
By 2019, I had added the Leica M system. For a multi-thousand-mile trip, taking largely scenic routes, to the NJ/NYC area, then into Upstate NY, and a more-direct return route along a scenic areas, I used a 35mm f/1.4 Zeiss Distagon ZM lens for the vast majority of the images, including landscapes, and an amazingly competent yet compact film-era Zeiss 21mm f/4.5 ZM lens for a few quick landscapes at one location. My much-loved 50mm Leica M lens stayed in the bag. (50mm lens was a “people” lens, for me, at that time, and this was a solo road trip, with time constraints.)
Since my 2019 road trip, I have been experimenting locally, with short telephoto lenses for landscapes, and only recently have been looking into how to stitch panoramas, using series of images captured with the optically very-well-corrected Voigtlander 50mm APO Lanthar, a recent addition. I hope to get away from this flat coastal plain, starting in April, and get into some rolling, hilly, and perhaps mountainous terrain. I would especially like to return to a TN portion of the Natchez Trace Parkway, in weather likely to produce misty conditions, in the steep terrain, if I can time it right.
Looks like you've done your fair share of traveling! Someday I'd like to go back to Natchez Trace and explore that entire area. Really nice place! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!
Thanks for the interesting video.
What is greatly under-estimated is that an UW lens requires excellent composition skills.
Too often I have seen large and boring stones/rocks in the foreground, dominating the complete picture, whereas the spectacular landscape (mountains, waterfalls) are tiny in the background. In ealier years the UW lenses cost a fortune, and some focal lenghts of today were simply not available. Nikon‘s legendary 13mm f/5.6 was built to order and coat as much as a decent new car, today every amateur can afford UW lenses.
My advice: spend the money first for classes in books and classes about composition. The lenses can wait.
You're right; it's much wiser to spend one's money on books and classes. Indeed, using an ultra-wide lens requires excellent compositional abilities. 100 percent agree; the art is in the composition. Thanks for watching, and thank you for sharing your thoughts!
@@ScottymanPhoto You UW pictures look excellent, but most other youtube guys just produce boring images by showing huge stones in the foreground.
@ honestly, I think it’s easy to do. I sometimes find myself trying to “make” a composition work. Finding that balance between the foreground and the background is key.
@@joerg_koelnThanks for the compliments! Much appreciated.
BTW, there are some spectacular images here, mate!
Thank you, Peter! You're too kind 😃
I got rid of mine 14 to 24 because of the filter instead now use a 17 to 35 that has a 77 mm filter screwing and is a lot lighter. There are times I wish I've still had the old lens but couldn't justify carrying the filter, the only filter I use these days is a polarizer on water with no sky. It's so easy the dark in the sky and post production.
Yeah, I know what you mean. Although I'm glad that I purchased the 14-24 now, I did consider the 16-35 f/4. With my arch photography, an extra couple millimeters goes a very long way. Good to hear from you! Thanks for watching!
Hi great video on the 14-24 f2.8 lens . Even though i bought a really good second hand on about a year ago. I still enjoy watching youtube videos on this lens because i can always learn something new. I really love this lens even though ive had to spend money on another filter system but it was worth it. I bought the Nisi s6 holder. I like the idea you can use the Lee filter holder for other lenses great advantage. I would like to ask which remote shutter release do you use? .
Look forward to seeing more of your videos and yes i will like and subscribe 👍.
Hello Stephen! Yeah, the 14-24 is certainly a special lens despite the huge filters. I use the Nikon MC-30A shutter release; it's simple and reliable. I've used a few other off-brands in the past, but they eventually failed. The Nikon MC-30A is a tank and just keeps on working. Thanks for watching and subscribing, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
@@ScottymanPhoto Thanks for the info ive ordered a second hand one.
thank you
My pleasure! Thanks for watching.
I love ultra wides, but you need foreground or symmetry to make it work well. To me either of these two makes it key to having good shots, versus just capturing everything you see in a boring way.
Absolutely 100% true! An image without balance lacks interest, regardless of what's in the composition. Foreground is a key element with an ultra wide-angle lens! Great comment! Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching! Take care!
Great Video! May I ask...what are your thoughts of using wide angle, versus 4x5 view cameras that offer tilt/shift movements...in comparison with simply a wide or ultra-wide lens. ...or some of the specialty tilt/shift lenses and or adapters. I agree with you about ensuring foreground elements are in an image. It's surprising to me how I see so many landscape images that do NOT include foreground elements. ...whereas foreground elements were the rule in the "heyday of the 4x5 field cameras". 🤔
Honestly, my dream lens would be a tilt-shift at approximately 14-35mm. Indeed, I would already own a tilt-shift lens if not for the cost and the fixed focal length. I thought about the Nikon 19mm f/4E, and I may still buy it one day. Anyway, I guess I’ll keep shooting with what I have for now. Thanks for the excellent comment, and thank you for watching!
@@ScottymanPhoto Thank you for replying! I've wondered quite a bit about modern images, compared with "old" 4x5 images...since I've seen a lot videos on landscape photography...that show foreground content completely lacking in so many of the images. Photographers do the best they can, of course.
I wonder about the Fotodiox tilt shift adapters...maybe coupled with a medium format Mamiya for a large image circle. But that setup might end up being a full half the cost of the Nikon you described. :)
@@TrilobitesRTasty I have no experience with Fotodiox adapters; they may do a fine job, and they're not that expensive. On the other hand, I've considered buying a Mamiya or a Pentax 67ii. Who knows, maybe one day. Take care!
I have 16-35mm and always missing those few wide angle mm so I was crawling for 14mm but my 16-35mm did all I need. For big scenes I tried to cheat and do pano but it's not the same. Sobi got 14mm f4 from Loawa the size of nifty Fifty lens. Those both works like charm 🤙
A 14mm prime is a great choice. I could probably live without the extra 15-24mm, but that 14mm is fantastic for so many applications in landscape photography. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, and thank you for watching! Take care!
I couldn't agree more
Thanks for stopping by!
As ultra wide lenses strongly emphasize the foreground it should better be interesting. This can often be the case in cityscapes, but rarely in landscapes. Ask yourself: Are these rocks, roots or flowers really so special that they should fill the frame -- or is my real motive the mountain chain in the background?
As for myself, I think it depends on the composition. One never knows when the situation will arise, but when it happens, it can be magical. Thanks for watching, and thank you for sharing your thoughts!
i have a 20mm prime sigma with all the expensive filters but most of my best photos come from it
Prime lenses are good choices, and the sigma offers quality glass. I guess I would ask myself, what is it I like about those photos, e.g., the depth of field, perspective, or the composition. Thanks for watching, and thanks for sharing your thoughts!
i neeeeed one 😈😈😈
Well, if I win the lottery next week, I’ll mail you one out the next day 😃
@@ScottymanPhoto haha thanks, I think Ill be buying the sigma 8-16mm
@@leocasi405 Good choice 👍
Yes..and I'll tell you why
I sell images and yes I take lots with my zoom lenses but guess what sells for prints and canvasses...wide angle shots
I'm a professional landscape photographer and wide angle shots sell and look better on prints
It's all about balance 😮
35mm is what human eye sees
That's a good point! I wonder if the wide-angle sales could be attributed to the availability of prints. The market is saturated with the mundane images. Seems like less people shoot ultra wide. Nevertheless, when done right, a wide-angle print can be quite breathtaking! Thanks for sharing your thoughts!