> I have a Pentax ZX-50 camera with a 28-90mm lens, and I was looking to
> purchase another lens with a longer focal length. I really plan on using
> the lens to photograph landscapes. Would the Pentax 80-320mm f4.5-5.6 be
> a good lens?
If your objective is to produce an image that closely approximates the
perspective of the human eye, then the normal 50mm lens is invaluable. It
imposes very little graphic control on the subject, and I use it more than
any other lens.
An 80-320 is entirely in the telephoto range. I personally don't shoot
landscapes with telephotos, because I do not want compression of the objects
in the photo. Clearly, I am trying to achieve a particular effect--that of
a "true" sense of perspective, but you may have another goal in mind.
If you can get your hands on Brian Bower's book, "Lens, Light and
Landscape," he has numerous examples of how landscapes look when
photographed with different focal length lenses. He will have, for example,
4 different shots, each taken from the same spot, but with different focal
lengths. You can see the dramatic impact that different focal lengths have
on the final image.
For me, the normal lens records the scene as I see it, and that is what I
want. The normal lens is also typically the sharpest and fastest lens
within the manufacturer's range. It is also relatively inexpensive and has
the least amount of distortion. Not a bad combination of speed,
low-distortion and low price.
jbilliot - 03 Jan 2005 22:38 GMT
What zoom would you recommend? Besides the lens that I already own.
jbilliot - 10 Jan 2005 22:19 GMT
Could anyone reccommend a camera lens to take landscape photography? I
have a Pentax ZX-50 camera with a 28-90mm zoom.
Bandicoot - 11 Jan 2005 13:04 GMT
> Could anyone reccommend a camera lens to take landscape photography? I
> have a Pentax ZX-50 camera with a 28-90mm zoom.
If you're happy with the 28-90 that you have, then I'd suggest a 24mm - the
24mm f2.8A is very good, and not too expensive (used). If you want to spend
more, and would like another zoom, look into the 20-35mm f4 FA AL.
My own most used landscape lenses are in the range from about 24mm to 35mm,
plus a few longer shots to isolate detail.
Ask again if you want more specific info.
Peter