Old Lens... New Lens?

[Andysnap]

I've just read this thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=986187#post986187

Started by Dougdarter and it got me to thinking.. I need a landscape lens and I've given it a lot of thought, asked for advice and narrowed it down to 2 (Siggy 10-20mm and Tokina 12-24mm). But, they are both around £300 and I would have to wait for a few months until the finances allow me to buy.
Now, my question is this, are the older non IS/VR lenses as good for landscapes. Are they as sharp, given that IS/VR is not really required for LS would I be better finding a much cheaper, older lens.
If so what lenses would people recommend? There you go food for thought.

Cheers

Andy

 

[fracster]

I use a 35mm F2 Nikkor MF for a lot of landscape, IS/VR seems a non essential for landscape photography. I sold my 10-20 soon after buying the 35mm, the old Nikkor was certainly sharper and produces better bokeh.

 

[EdinburghGary]

I've just read this thread

http://www.talkphotography.co.uk/forums/showthread.php?p=986187#post986187

Started by Dougdarter and it got me to thinking.. I need a landscape lens and I've given it a lot of thought, asked for advice and narrowed it down to 2 (Siggy 10-20mm and Tokina 12-24mm). But, they are both around £300 and I would have to wait for a few months until the finances allow me to buy.
Now, my question is this, are the older non IS/VR lenses as good for landscapes. Are they as sharp, given that IS/VR is not really required for LS would I be better finding a much cheaper, older lens.
If so what lenses would people recommend? There you go food for thought.

Cheers

Andy

No need for IS, you should be using a tripod.

Good luck with the purchase whatever you decide,

Gary.

 

[a1ex2001]

The trouble is on a crop body you are looking at a lens around 11mm to be considered super wide and these were not very common 30 years ago! you're pretty much stuck looking at old Fisheye lenses that won't make great landscape lenses due to the distortion.

In this case I think you're better off saving up for one of the lenses you've already mentioned, however should you want somethin a bit longer 24mm+ the old options are practically endless.

 

[puddleduck]

Do you actually need to go so w-i-d-e?

10mm and 12mm is rarely good for landscapes unless you have a very good foreground, middle and horizon, otherwise you risk including lots of uninteresting foreground, or lots of uninteresting sky.

A 24 to 35mm AI prime will do very nicely, and cost next to nothing. You'll be turning IS / VR off to shoot landscapes.

 

[Andysnap]

Do you actually need to go so w-i-d-e?

10mm and 12mm is rarely good for landscapes unless you have a very good foreground, middle and horizon, otherwise you risk including lots of uninteresting foreground, or lots of uninteresting sky.

A 24 to 35mm AI prime will do very nicely, and cost next to nothing. You'll be turning IS / VR off to shoot landscapes.

Thanks for this PD, its a very interesting idea. Have you any suggestions as to what would be a suitable lens. I have no knowledge at all about any lenses older than about 2 years . I'm thinking it would be if nothing else a good interrim idea until I've saved for the newer lens and if it works i may not bother and use the money for something else.

Cheers

Andy

 

[simonkit]

Do you actually need to go so w-i-d-e?

10mm and 12mm is rarely good for landscapes unless you have a very good foreground, middle and horizon, otherwise you risk including lots of uninteresting foreground, or lots of uninteresting sky.

Must admit that I can't agree with the comment...I was constantly frustrated by being limited to 17mm with my Sigma 17-70, having bought a Sigma 10-20 recently it's opened up a whole new world. I'd agree it makes capturing decent foreground even more important but when you do it can produce some terrific landscape shots...

If I were you I'd save up & get either the Tokina or Sigma, can't comment on the Tokina as it wasn't available in pentax mount.

One word of caution on the Sigma 10-20, it can suffer sample variation & I sent 2 copies back before receiving my now very good copy.

On IS/VR I'd say it can come in useful, I don't always use a tripod as sometimes it's just not practical, but I carry a monopod everywhere & this combined with the IS/VR can be just as good sometimes.

Simon