Capturing a beautiful vista is an enjoyable photography challenge. However, what are the best lenses for landscape photography you can use for that task? Unfortunately, a lot of beginners believe they will only need a wide-angle lens to capture such landscapes.
A wide-angle lens surely has a big place in landscape photography, but having different lenses at hand will get you a set of different shots. So, what are the best lenses you can use?
Our Top Lenses for Landscape Photography Reviews
Are you heading to the wilderness and need a good landscape photography lens? We have rounded up the best lenses for landscape photography lenses for you! Read below to find out more!
Best Lenses for Landscape Photography Overall: Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm
The Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm is a wide-angle to standard length lens. This is one of the flagship offerings of Nikon for a reason—it’s just a remarkable lens! The versatility of its zoom is practical in any landscape scenario, and the color, contrast, and boke are stunning.
It does perfectly in low light and is only flat-sharp. The lens comes in two versions as well, one with vibration reduction and one without. That allows you to pick which best suits your requirements.
It’s worth mentioning that the Nikon 24-70mm is a great event and portrait lens! Thus, if you wish for something versatile that will serve many different circumstances, this landscape photography lens is suitable for you!
It is an expensive lens but worth every dollar. Keep in mind that the 24-700 range is helpful for nearly all kinds of photography, from cities, traveling, indoors, weddings, and of course, landscape photography. The 24-70 lens is very famous with every brand, and the Nikon is no exception to that!
Overall, the Nikon AF-S FX NIKKOR 24-70mm is rugged and very versatile. It has a good edge-to-edge sharpness and does well in low light conditions. It is the ideal lens to bring out for your landscape photography activities equipped with moisture and dust resistance features.
Pros:
- Vibration reduction
- Excellent color rendition
- Speed and quiet autofocus
Cons:
- A bit pricey
- Heavy to carry around
- Fast f/2.8 constant aperture with an electromagnetic diaphragm
- Sensational image quality and sharpness with virtually no distortion, Focal Length Range : 24 to 70 millimeter
- Minimum Focus Distance : 35 to 50 millimeter focal length : 1.2 feet (0.38 meter) from focal plane; 24, 28, 70 millimeter focal lengths : 1.3 feet (0.41 meter) from focal plane; Dimensions : Approx; 88.0 millimeter maximum diameter x 154.5 millimeter (distance from camera lens mount flange)
- 4 stops of Vibration Reduction for handheld and low light shooting, Nonstick glass makes it easier to wipe off water, dirt and smudges
- Evolution of Nikon's legendary 24 to 70 millimeter workhorse.Type:Fmount, Type E AF S lens with built in CPU and F mount.Lens Elements:20
Best Lenses for Landscape Photography for the Money: Canon EF 17-40mm
The Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L Ultra-Wide Angle Zoom Lens yields a clear, ultra-wide image, thanks to the super UD glass element of the lens, working along with three aspherical lens elements. Premium photography gear is truly costly, which could be a reason not to widen your range of lenses. Nonetheless, the Canon 17-40mm offers fantastic landscape shots for a phenomenal price!
This lens also features override focus, letting you polish the shot to how you like it. Nevertheless, we do not have all the bells and whistles of more premium options, like the one earlier with Nikon 24-70mm. But we surely cannot complain about such an affordable cost.
You will love that Canon added the very efficient dust and water-resistant housing feature normally reserved for many expensive options. Overall, the Canon EF 17-40mm is a versatile landscape photography lens that can capture high-quality images for a lower initial investment.
Pros:
- Weather resistance
- Practical zoon range for landscapers
- Lightweight and simple to carry around
Cons:
- Not sharp in corners
- 17 40 millimeter ultra wide angle zoom lens with f/4 maximum aperture for Canon SLR Cameras. Diagonal angle of view 104° 57° 30'
- 3 aspherical lens elements and super UD glass element create superior optics in all conditions, Closest focusing distance: 0.9 feet
- Powerful ring type ultrasonic monitor (USM) produces fast and silent autofocusing, Focuses as close as 11 inches, supports screw in 77 millimeter filters or up to 3 gel filters. Rounded seven-blade diaphragm contributes to a pleasing out of focus quality that benefits the use of shallow depth of field and selective focus techniques
- Suitable for Wedding/Nature Photography, Weather resistant construction, Water and Dust Resistant, measures 3.3 inches in diameter, 1 year warranty
- Purchase this product between May 1, 2016 and July 30, 2016 and get 13 months of free damage protection from Canon. The product must be registered within 30 days of the purchase date to be eligible
Best Cheap Lenses for Landscape Photography: Sony E 10-18mm
The Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS Wide Angle Zoom Lens is the widest zoom lens designed by Sony for APS-C cameras. But, did you know it has a wide-angle version, which is sharp, small, and a good companion for any photographer who wishes to travel light and have a small footprint?
This lens is also ideal for taking shots of sweeping landscapes and creating striking pictures with emphasized perspective. Are you looking for a broader minimum focal length compared to given by typical wide-angle zoom lenses? Then the Sony 10-18mm is the perfect option for you.
The SEL 1018 also2 features a minimum focal length of only 10mm, and the wide-angle zoom lens offers extremely detailed and super wide-angle photos. In addition, you will be able to utilize the widest aperture at each focal length along with a constant maximum aperture of f/4 through the overall focal length range.
A little bit cheaper than Canon EF 17-40mm, the Sony E 10-18mm lens is perfect for photographers who are short in budget but still want to get great features. In fact, you can enjoy the bright aperture even in low light to use fast shutter speeds without requiring you to increase ISO sensitivity.
Pros:
- Light and compact
- Optical stabilization
- Very affordable compared to other lenses on the list
Cons:
- Slow aperture
- Not as sharp
- Angle of View (APS-C) - 109 ° – 76 °
- Minimum focal length of 10 mm (15 mm in 35 mm-camera equivalency)
- Minimum Focus Distance : 0.82 ft (0.25 m), Maximum Magnification ratio : 0.1x
- Superbly detailed images;Aperture Maximum: f/4 ; Minimum: f/22. 35mm equivalent focal-length (APS-C) : 15-27mm
- In-the-box:Hood (ALC-SH123), Lens front cap, Lens rear cap
Best Lenses for Landscape Photography Performance Pick: Fujinon XF 16-55mm
The Fujinon XF 16-55mm R LM WR is a fast, sharp, and extremely powerful lens ideal for advanced and intermediate photographers. This is something that will serve you well in your landscape photography adventures.
Are you currently searching for the ideal midrange wide-angle lens? Then this one is for you. You will receive a beautiful design, excellent build quality, remarkable optics, and fast autofocus! What can you ask for more?
This best lens for landscape photography will bring you from a wide 24mm ideal for the environmental street, architecture, and landscape photography, all the way to 84mm that is favored by many portrait photographers too.
Indeed, any landscape photographer needs intense sharpness, and here, the Fujinon XF16-55mm delivers. The lens is very sharp at each focal length, both in the corners and in the center, even when wide open! As a result, this lens is a stellar pick, especially if you prize detail beyond all else.
Nonetheless, given that this lens weighs 1.44lbs, it’s considered heavy, putting it in the range of some mirrorless cameras, and makes specific types of shooting quite uncomfortable.
Pros:
- Wide maximum aperture
- Beautiful design
- Quick autofocus
Cons:
- Heavy and bulky
- A bit expensive
- Optically designed to draw out the maximum image quality of a flagship standard zoom lens Angle of view 83 2°- 29°
- Focal length(35mm format equivalent) f=16-55mm (24-84mm) Focus range Normal - 0 6m - ∞(whole zoom position) Macro - 30cm - 10m (Wide) 40cm - 10m (Telephoto)
- High-speed, quiet auto focus thanks to the Linear Motor Weight, excluding caps and hoods 1 44 pounds (655g)
- Weather resistant design with 14 sealing points dust-resistant and -10 Degree low-temperature operation
- Nano-Gi coating technology 9 rounded blade aperture diaphragm help create smooth and circular bokeh Max Magnification 0 16x (telephoto)
Best Lenses for Landscape Photography for Everyday Applications: Canon RF 24-105mm
The Canon R4 24-105mm f/4L IS USM Lens features a Super US glass element and three aspherical elements for the best image quality and less distortion. Moreover, it covers an efficient zoom range, good enough for most of your day-to-day applications.
The Canon 24-105mm lens has been considered the first lens of most Canon shooters since it’s been launched for a long time, along with their camera bodies. Nevertheless, you should not dismiss this as a cheap and useless kit lens because it’s very far from it.
On top of that, it also provides an image stabilizer, perfect for up to three stops, not to mention it has moisture and dust resistance build as well. The lens is robust but not too bulky, making it a good all-rounder and a versatile and excellent option for a landscape shooter.
In most cases, it can be the only camera lens you need to get the shot. Amateurs and professionals alike have long depended on the 24-105 range for durability, ease of use, range, and those extraordinary qualities not aged a day.
Pros:
- Weather and dust resistant
- Compact size
- Zoom range perfect for most scenarios
Cons:
- Expensive
- Huge distortion and noticeable vignette at wide angles
- Compact, high-quality Lens with broad zoom range for the EOS R system
- Bright, constant f/4.0 zoom Lens
- First L-Series Lens with Nano USM
- Control ring for direct setting changes
- Optical image stabilization at up to 5 Stops* of shake Correction
Features to Consider for the Best Lenses for Landscape Photography
Lenses matter as they transform the way you create your photos. Each lens has its unique way of seeing the world, and every different type of capture landscapes in a different way.
For instance, a wide-angle lens enables you to emphasize various elements compared to what a telephone lens can do, not to mention other aspects that come into play like sharpness, aperture, and weight. Those also2 impact the kind of landscape photos you capture.
You cannot control the landscape, but you can control the lens. They have a massive, foundational influence on your pictures, and the correct use of these lenses is one of the great tools you need to bring to life the landscape you see before you.
Here are some of the various features you need to consider before buying a brand-new lens for your landscape photography camera.
Aperture
Aperture regulates how much light is entering into your scene and your depth of field. Therefore, go for a lens with a fixed aperture rather than a variable aperture. The former will offer you more consistency when shooting and enables you to shoot in conditions with less light.
Lenses with apertures of f1.4, f1.8, f2.8, and f4 will offer you enough light to work with.
Weather Sealing
Take note that other lenses are designed to endure the elements while others are not. Weather sealing keeps dust, moisture, and other elements out of your lens. Are you going to shoot in the wet and the yuk? Then opting for a weather-sealed or weather-resistant lens could be a good investment.
Size and Weight
Make sure you also consider the size and weight of the lens. You might pick a different lens, especially if you like to travel light and fast as you’re carrying all the gear on your back for miles on end.
Vibration Reduction or Image Stabilization
Image stabilization compensates for camera shake and lets you utilize slower shutter speeds than you could be devoid of technology. Of course, that feature is not essential, but it can be practical, particularly with telephoto lenses or heavy lenses.
It also helps you when you’re shooting handheld, shooting from a vibrating platform, or when the wind is blowing.
Autofocus
Check to ensure the autofocus feature of your lens will be compatible with your camera. Of course, you can just utilize manual autofocus, but there are times when you like to prefer autofocus, particularly when shooting handheld.
Sensor Size
Do you plan to shoot with a crop-sensor camera? Your field view is very much different than somebody shooting landscape photography with a full-frame camera. You need to consider how the crop factor of your camera will impact the working focal length of the lens you buy.
Use and Price
Of course, you also need to consider if the equipment’s price is worth the use you will get out of it. Remember that only because we have determined these as the best lenses for landscape photography does not indicate they are suitable for you.
Do not put a hole in your pocket with a lens that you will only use infrequently or cannot truly avail.
Compatibility
Check to ensure the lens you are considering using for your landscape photography is compatible with your camera’s body. Take note that Sony, Canon, Nikon, and other cameras have proprietary lenses for landscape photography.
You cannot utilize a Canon lens on a Nikon body without an adaptor. Further, other manufacturers like Sigma and Tamron provide third-party lenses for landscape photography designed for specific brands. If you are interested in that lens for your Canon camera body, ensure you purchase the designed version, particularly for Canon.
Focal Length
Focal length identifies how much of the scene and landscape you can add to your photo. For example, telephotos feature a narrower field of view compared to a wide-angle lens. Nonetheless, focal length can also impact the depth of field of how much of the scene is in sharp focus from front to back.
Ultra-wide and wide-angle versions offer you longer depths of field. On the other hand, telephotos compress the scene from front to back and help isolate the subject. A wider angle lens offers more.
Picking the ideal focal length varies on your landscape photography goals and the lenses you already have. For example, do you like big open images with many scenes included? Why don’t you opt for a wide-angle or ultra-wide-angle focal length?
Do you prefer concentrating on details and tighter compositions? You can then consider a telephoto or standard lens.
Conclusion The best lenses for landscape photography can avail and will regularly utilize to enhance your craft. Hence, get your landscape photography lens, your camera, and get out in the wild! So, are you ready to get your landscape photography lens? We hope this review has been helpful and informative to you!