Best lens for landscapes fullframe

jcdavo

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What would be the best lens for landscapes on a nikon d800 for around the £300 mark
 
It depends I guess, its quite subjective - I'd probably start off with a standard zoom (24-70 or 28-75) but at that price range probably only the Tamron 28-75 f2.8 is within it.

You could also consider a prime, something in the 28-35 range, you could get the Nikon 35mm f2 lens fairly cheap or even the newer 35mm f1.8G, 28mm f1.8G is also around that priced second hand.
 
Unfortunately full frame lenses are a bit pricey so options are a bit limited.. if you can go a bit higher I highly recommend the 24-120 F4 (avoid the older non F4 version), a used one is around £400/£440. Really useful range for landscapes and very good IQ too, pretty compact as well if you intend carrying it around all day whilst hiking

Simon
 
Sigh...

There is no such thing as a landscape lens, there are just lenses - you may as well ask "what's the best lens?" For which there is no answer.

My preferred landscape focal range is the 70-200 length so I would think the 70-200 f/4 would be ideal.

Some prefer ultra wide angle, for which the 14-24 or 16-35 would be great.

One thing though, I wouldn't be putting crappy lenses on a D800.
 
20mm 2.8 is a cheap prime wide angle
 
A used 18-35mm G lens would be my recommendation (not the older D lens). Great sharpness, very useful range for landscape and nice lightweight lens but still feeling good quality. Cheaper, lighter and just as sharp alternative to the 16-35mm f4.
 
A used 18-35mm G lens would be my recommendation (not the older D lens). Great sharpness, very useful range for landscape and nice lightweight lens but still feeling good quality. Cheaper, lighter and just as sharp alternative to the 16-35mm f4.

I've heard recently the 16-35 f4 was rubbish wide angle ! That was my next purchase but I'm not so sure now.....
 
I've heard recently the 16-35 f4 was rubbish wide angle ! That was my next purchase but I'm not so sure now.....
It depends on how you view the lens. It's not rubbish, but it's probably not up to the level people were expecting for a lens of this mark/price. Plus on higher end bodies such as the D810 and D750 it's actually 2-4 marks less sharp than the 18-35mm according to DxO. Distortion is quite bad at 16mm but of course things like this are quite easily corrected in lightroom etc. I personally don't think £300 over the 18-35mm is 'too much' of a premium for the better coating, constant F4 and weather sealing if these things are important to you, but I didn't need the weather sealing or constant f4 so decided to save myself £300, plus I've gained a smidge of sharpness. The coating would have been nice though ;)
 
I picked up a Tamron 19-35 on eBay yesterday for £80, mostly to use on a summer holiday so I don't have to take my rather more heavy and expensive 16-35, but I am planning to do a side by side test with the 16-35, so I can let you know how it compares if you can wait a couple of days...

Personally I rather like my 16-35, although it is quite chunky for what it is. It's small shortcomings, (already listed) have been overcome by the fact I got a rather good deal on a brand new UK stock one.
 
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A used 18-35mm G lens would be my recommendation (not the older D lens). Great sharpness, very useful range for landscape and nice lightweight lens but still feeling good quality. Cheaper, lighter and just as sharp alternative to the 16-35mm f4.

I can vouch for the 18-35mm G as well... I found mine on Amazon Marketplace for about £470 (I think)... I got rid of it when I ditched Nikon for Fuji (which was an expensive mistake). Now that I'm back shooting on Nikon again, I've gone for the 16-35mm f/4 which is great but pound for pound, probably not as good value as the 18-35mm G. :)
 
I've tested my Tamron 19-35 f/3.5-4.5, useless wide open, sharp from f/5.6 to f/16 with good corners from f/11. Cost £88 on eBay for a mint copy.
 
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