Best SLR System for Landscapes / Architecture

chrism_scotland

chrism_scotland

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Reconsidering my DSLR system, I haven't really got on with the Olympus E620 I don't like the 2x crop factor or the squarer images and I've found it hard to get shots similar to those I did with my A300/A700 Sony's.

Think I'm going to sell my Olympus kit and have a few months hiatus over the winter as I'm basically living in Heathrow Airport 4 days a week just now so I've not got time for togging sadly, and will grab a compact for Christmas before I invest in a new DSLR kit next Spring/Summer (job depending).

My main photographic interest in landscapes and architecture and I had some cracking lenses on my A700 (Sigma 10-20, Sigma 17-70) which were perfect for this.

My question is though which DSLR system (Nikon, Canon, Sony) is the best for landscape togging, i.e what is the best body and range of lenses for this.

Cheers

Chris
 
I dont think there is an answer to that one, as far as i can see on this forum there are amazing shots taken on all three of the ones you ask about. I think its down to the photographer as to how good the results are.
 
i loved the quirky landscape/building shots on here i saw people with the wide angle lenses and impulse saw me buy a tamron 11-18 for the sony which was good, but i never got out and used it ;-(

if you liked the a300, which i had and liked the a700 for extra features, maybe look into the a500 series.

although i jumped ship back to nikon ;-)
 
Nikon and Canon both offer great cameras and lenses respectively for landscape work.

The nikon 14-24mm is an incredible lens for landscape/quirky work.

There really is no "one" camera for landscape, just go to your local camera store, pick up the price range camera of each brand you like, decide if you don't like the feel of any of them, then look into the lenses, not sure about sony, but canon and nikon both have great landscape lenses available.
 
I would go nikon or canon for the ability to go full frame.

A 5dmkI and a 17-40L aren't ridiculously expensive and would stand you in good stead (I know canon better than Nikon)
 
You also mentioned architecture and both Canon and Nikon product tilt shift lenses for just that application so if you were to develop seriously down that route, I'd leave that option open if I were you.

Full frame lovliness is what I'd recommend and personally I'd much rather invest in something like a 5D calssic second hand and some good glass rather then compromise and get a crop sensor. :)

Hope the job goes OK for you whatever you decide.
 
Got to say I agree with Alison and David a 5D with 17-40 is a fantastic combo capable of excellent results and while it may be a little above what you were thinking I would say it would be better than getting a crop and realising a year later that you wan`t full frame. Nikon`s alternative would be the D700 but as thats a much newer camera by comparison its also much more expensive, in the lens catagory they only have the 18-35 that is comparable in price and focal range and imo the 17-40 is the better lens but then Nikon also have the 14-24 or 17-35 for when you get more into landscapes..........I guess what i`m trying to say is its as long as it is short both manufacturers have excellent bodies and lenses just see what you prefer and go with that.
 
Thanks for the suggestions folks, I am anticipating having a good few months without an SLR at all, my Oly kit is an expensive item to have sitting in the corner just now, I am anticipating it being probably at least July next year before I were to invest in another DSLR but I do anticipate it being problem Nikon or Canon depending on what happens with a new Sony A700 level body.
I was really just wondering on landscape lens as I found the Sony mount really had the Sigma 10-20 which I loved but the Sony wide angle lenses were not as good as the Nikon or Canon equivalents, also if I wait until Next year I will have more cash to spend and may well invest in a full frame body next time around.

The Olympus is a cracking wee camera I just haven't gone on with it as well as I had hoped and thus why I'm contemplating selling.
 
Nikon with a tokina 11-16 f2.8

Or canon. Not sure if Sony have a mount but prolly they do

perhaps nearer the time, see if there is z gathering or meet some local photographers to try out lenses and cameras (you could loan them for a few days to try beforebinvesting heavily?)

good luck in the future.
 
Nikon D300 is weather sealed, but of course that is DX. D700 is sealed.
 
chrism_scotland said:
I was really just wondering on landscape lens as I found the Sony mount really had the Sigma 10-20
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also
Tamron/Sony 11-18mm
Tamron/Sony 10-24mm
Sigma 12-24mm (very wide if you go FF) if you can get a good 1.

Tokina have said that they intend to restart MAF/Alpha mount manufacture which hopefully will bring the 11-16/2.8 into play - again 11mm on FF is incredibly wide.

If you do go FF then the A850/A900 (similarly on APS-C the A700) whilst not officially water/weatherproof I don't think that you'll find complaints & if you were to go that way then the Zeiss 16-35mm is very good.

Pentax have a couple of weatherproof bodies - K-7, K20D etc. .
 
For nomal landscape, there are many choice. Almost all the mid-level DSLR can take good landscape. But if you are talking about serious architectural photography, you may consider FF camera with 35mm or 28mm PC lens, apart from normal extra-wide lens and normal zoom lens.
 
Just to bump this thread up....

I have a Sony A200 currently (hoping to get an A700 or its replacement ASAP) with a Sigma 10-20mm (old version) a 70-210 F4 Minolta Beercan and have just ordered the Sony Carl Zeiss 16-80mm. Eventually I think I will replace the beercan with something better.

However looking through my shots I am still slightly disapointed how unsharp the 10-20mm is (sometimes its tack sharp but not most of the time) hence the reason putting a order in for the 16-80mm (and I feel this is a more useful range). Plus in dull low light there seems to be a bit of noise going off in shots when viewing at 100% and I know Sony's are not as good with low light as Nikon/Canon.

I'd like to stay with Sony and I think I will but if anyone can recommend a set up change with a better UWA and better camera just say it and I can cancel the 16-80mm (please recommend me the equivalent lens though!). In body IS also appeals as does the format being generally cheaper than Nikon/Canon. Budget wouldn't be as much as Chris' though!
 
Granty_ said:
Just to bump this thread up....

I have a Sony A200 currently (hoping to get an A700 or its replacement ASAP) with a Sigma 10-20mm (old version) a 70-210 F4 Minolta Beercan and have just ordered the Sony Carl Zeiss 16-80mm. Eventually I think I will replace the beercan with something better.

However looking through my shots I am still slightly disapointed how unsharp the 10-20mm is (sometimes its tack sharp but not most of the time) hence the reason putting a order in for the 16-80mm (and I feel this is a more useful range). Plus in dull low light there seems to be a bit of noise going off in shots when viewing at 100% and I know Sony's are not as good with low light as Nikon/Canon.

I'd like to stay with Sony and I think I will but if anyone can recommend a set up change with a better UWA and better camera just say it and I can cancel the 16-80mm (please recommend me the equivalent lens though!). In body IS also appeals as does the format being generally cheaper than Nikon/Canon. Budget wouldn't be as much as Chris' though!
Click to expand...

Hehe in the end I opted for the A700, Sony 11-18, Sony 16-105 and Sony 50mm, haven't had much chance to try the Sony 11-18 yet but I hear it is excellent!
 
For architecture, the Canon 5DmkII coupled with the excellent canon TS-E lenses would be very hard to beat. Nikon do also make some great TS lenses, but they are more expensive and I don't think quite as versatile as the canon ones.
 
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