Recent landscapes with the 17-40 f/4L

[motleypixel]

Okay here are some recent landscapes.  I’ve finally secured my ideal landscape rig (Canon 5D MkII and Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM).  I have also tried my Cokin Ultra Wide P Filter holder with my Hitec ND grads and at 17mm I’m surprised to see only a little vignetting.  At ~ 20mm I don’t see any vignetting.  I hope to upgrade to the Cokin Z-Pro holder to use the larger Lee ND grads, but that’s more money I don’t have right now.

So another thought…I’m not entirely happy with just a few landscape shots captured with this setup and I’m not sure if it’s one of the following or a combination of each.

1.    I’m not focusing correctly.  Many of my captures have foreground intelligence close in frame, ~ 6’  My method is to use center point AF and point the lens at about 10’ and use AF to focus and then set the lens to Manual focus.  So 6’ closest subject, 10’ focus, then orient and frame for the capture.
2.   Maybe it’s just the scene, but when looking close 100% crop or so the details almost look mottled.  I set the picture style to landscape (that’s just like default with one more notch up for sharpen).  Shoot RAW 21MP

All shot at ISO 50 or 100 at f/14 using a tripod.

Anyway, here are some shots:

#1 This is near Pedernales Falls State Park


#2 Field off Hwy 281 just south of Blanco


#3 Where I work NW corner of Bee Caves Rd. and Capitol of Texas

[DigitalScape]

I am not a landscape-skilled shooter (still working to develop this area) either.  I think you are going to have to bump up the f/stop to ~f/22 to gain sufficient DOF.  The DOF "rule" I was taught was 1/3 of the DOF is in front of the point of focus, and 2/3 behind.  Since you are shooting on a tripod, and things are not moving (i.e. wind blown) I would go with the higher f/stop (and the long exposure).  Good luck working this skill, and let us know what you figure out once you have it dialed in.

[sandbe3]

Roy,
 I too love my 17-40 F4.0 and I am not even shooting FF.  I picked it up used from a lens rental place I use from time to time.  Outside of my primes its my favorite.  I will have to dig out some of my fav shots.  On a 40d I find it makes an ok walk around lens.  I used it solely on my trip to Dublin 2 years ago.

[motleypixel]

Those are nice shots.  The first link didn't resolve for me.

Do you know how to add the flickr "large" size to the actual post?

[sandbe3]

I have been meaning to ask you about that actually. 

[motleypixel]

Okay it's easy.

1. On your flickr photo page, click on the picture and now in flickr it show's the photo on black.  Then click "View All Sizes" from the top right.  Then pick your size (I find "large" works well, but nothing above 1024px longest side).  Once that size is displayed here, right-click on the photo and select "copy image location" this is what it says in FireFox.  In your case of the red Japanese Maple shot that location is this:  http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5034579413_2940214d3f_b.jpg

2.  Now that the image location URL is in your clip-board, go back to the forum post and click the "insert image" icon at the top of the post (it's the forth icon from the right above the smiley emotiocons.  If you are in a "quick reply" w/o these formatting options then remember the img tags is easy.  The format for the photo is show below (I"m using code tags to show the img tags):

Code:

[img]http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4104/5034579413_2940214d3f_b.jpg[/img]

Now using this img tag with flickr large image location url it will look like this:

[sandbe3]

Sweet!  Got it straight now!  Thanks for the tutoring.

[KenJ8246]

Roy, I'm not a landscape shooter, but wouldn't mind being more proficient at it.  Just picked up a f/2.8 28mm Nikkor and would like to shoot some scenics but have not the foggiest idea about it.  Keep us posted on your 'lessons learned'?

ps  The MP-E experiment is officially over.  I sold the 20D, 430EXII and 550EX flashes a couple weeks ago.  I've boxed up the MP-E and that Telemore 95II TC.  Will hold it for you until after the first of the new year and you can decide if you want it or not.

[motleypixel]

Kenny I'm more than interested and yes if you can hold it for a bit then that would be great!  In the mean time I'll send you a PM.

As for landscape, is that 28/2.8 going on a full frame or 1.6 crop?  On a crop it will be a little tight but FF no problem.  There are three main areas of landscape to work on IMHO:

1.  Composition...easy things like horizontal horizon when it should be i.e. sunset/rise etc.
2.  Exposure and to be honest to get this with a single exposure I recommend rectangle ND soft grad filters.
3.  Critical focus and at least f/11 and most likely f/14-16.