Luminous Landscape Forum
Equipment & Techniques => Landscape & Nature Photography => Topic started by: Hans Kruse on February 19, 2017, 01:25:55 pm
-
I got the Canon 11-24 f/4L lens in August 2016. I had hesitated for a while getting the lens as thought that in many cases it is way to wide in the range 11-14mm since I had the Nikon 14-24 f/2.8 already. In fact it is in some locations it is. I was in Tuscany in November and I did not shot a single landscape shot using the 11-24 (or the 16-35). I did not think I would use it much on Isle og Skye, expected some use in the Dolomites, a bit in Abruzzo and some in Lofoten. So it turned out that I liked to use it a lot more than expected on Isle of Skye especially in the Quiraing. A few in the Dolomites and Abruzzo, but a lot on Lofoten. The examples here are at 11mm and I will often use the range between 11mm and 24mm. The big front lens will easily pick up lens flare and I use the Canon 16-35 f/4L IS is such situations where 16mm is adequate. All photos in the following was shot using the Canon 5DSR.
The way to shoot this lens is in most cases to get low and close to a foreground subject and pay attention to vertical lines and stretching of things in the corners. In some cases I will shoot straight lines with an angle on the camera and then correct in Lightroom using the transform function.
On Isle of Skye in the Quiraing, I liked to get close to the foreground shooting heather and grass and the landscape behind. In the following I had the tripod legs not extended and probably stretched a bit wide to get close to the ground. Some lens flare in the following was removed with spot removal in Lightroom and some I left.
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v94/p2211359716.jpg)
in the following again I went close to the ground and wanted to match some of the foreground to the landscape. In this case I even wanted to zoom slightly further out!!
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s12/v178/p2211359906.jpg)
If everything is distant without a close foreground a very vast scene can be captured like the following of the Carezza lake in the Dolomites.
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s4/v65/p2211360609.jpg)
but I find mostly that a scene with a foreground close is working the best like the alternative from the same location
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v104/p2211360683.jpg)
Some cases can look quite surreal like the following of the castle ruin at Rocca Calascio in Abruzzo shot in October 2016
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s9/v93/p2211360877.jpg)
where in the following the scene looks much more natural and not surreal although very wide
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s2/v53/p2211360967.jpg)
The following is from Hamnøy on Lofoten which is a very popular spot and this was overcast and felt the very wide view worked well (slightly cropped from the sides but not top of bottm of the frame).
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v105/p2211361045.jpg)
and here is one with the sun illuminating the red cabins. In this case the camera pointed downwards a bit to capture the waves crashing on the rock and it was the correct using the guided transform function in Lightroom
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s4/v66/p2211361350.jpg)
For the Aurora I also liked the very wide view at times like this shot where I could capture a lot without being forced to do a vertical
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s7/v166/p2211361406.jpg)
A number of places there was ice at lakes and with the 11mm view it was possible to get both the ice formations and rock in the foreground and mountains in the background.
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s10/v100/p2211361473.jpg)
In many cases there was rock and ice with the low sun as possible compositions like the following shot a Hamnøy
(http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/img/s4/v66/p2211361290.jpg)
So as you can see I really like this lens and I think you can get compositions otherwise not possible unless you want to stitch panos. In some locations I would not find it useful as in Tuscany where I typically shoot a lot with a 70-200 and 24-70, but Scotland and Lofoten was nice with this lens. It definitely had grown on my so maybe I will revise my judgement as time goes. I hope this was useful for those of you who like me were doubting the usefulness of this amazing lens. Besides the very wide angle of view it is very very good optically and sharp into the corners even fully open. It vignets a lot fully open and I correct in Lightroom for this. Stopped down I did not use lens correction.
The gallery with the examples plus some more can be found here http://hanskrusephotography.zenfolio.com/p237726957
-
Hans, I would love to see these images, but on all it says: "Content Protected by Owner" with a picture of a padlock.
You probably have to change some security setting.
In the other thread your images of the Lofoten appear normally.
-
Hans, I would love to see these images, but on all it says: "Content Protected by Owner" with a picture of a padlock.
You probably have to change some security setting.
In the other thread your images of the Lofoten appear normally.
Thanks Pieter, I hope it is ok now as I had chosen full resolution and that was locked by default. I have now enabled that so it should be ok.
-
Some stunning shots, Hans. I shall have to start saving my pennies, I think.
Jeremy
-
Nicely done, Hans, nicely done. I shoot my Nikkor 10-24 DX on my 7100 for certain situations; similar fun!
-
Stunning use of the ultra-super-duper wide angle! The way you do it, makes it difficult to fathom it is so wide. Thanks for posting it, without seeing it, I would have never thought 11mm might be so useful for anything but exaggerated perspective.
-
Nicely done, Hans, nicely done. I shoot my Nikkor 10-24 DX on my 7100 for certain situations; similar fun!
Thanks David, but please note this is 11mm on full frame so this is very very different from 10mm on a crop camera which is 15mm on full frame. That is why I wrote the post :)
-
They show correctly now Hans, thank you!
Wonderful shots, but I had no doubts about that!
The way you use foreground/background without much exaggerated perspective distortion is really masterful.
-
Stunning use of the ultra-super-duper wide angle! The way you do it, makes it difficult to fathom it is so wide. Thanks for posting it, without seeing it, I would have never thought 11mm might be so useful for anything but exaggerated perspective.
Thanks Slobodan, that was exactly my view as well until I tried it out. The first try was trying someone else's 11-24 and then I saw the potential. One really need to have this lens on the camera and then view the world through it. I would not have thought it before trying it. The next closest is the Sigma ART 12-24 lens although not is good as the Canon one is another choice.
-
They show correctly now Hans, thank you!
Wonderful shots, but I had no doubts about that!
The way you use foreground/background without much exaggerated perspective distortion is really masterful.
Thanks Pieter and sorry for the initial problem. It was really a surprise for me to discover this view and will rediscover some of my favourite spots and locations in a different way.
-
Hi Hans,
Thanks for sharing. Some really nice images! I guess it takes some effort to learn making best use of extreme wide angles.
The second image of the Carezza is a good example of that.
Best regards
Erik
-
I agree with the other observations that the extreme wide angle used isn't apparent at all in the images. Superb use of this optic. Makes me want to get my Samyang 14 out of the bag. Thanks for the education!
-
Hi Hans,
These are truly stunning. I'm so glad I encouraged you to start this 11mm thread.
It's clear to me that having such a wonderful lens isn't enough. You have to know how to use it to best advantage, and have a good eye for light and composition, too.
-Eric
-
Great series of landscapes and the image from Skye is a wonderul big country perspective.
-
Hans,
very beautiful photos! the 11mm seems a great lens...
I read it was not that good on 11mm but that seems to be not the case.
i only think this is a bit unnatural, or is it me?
cheers, PK
-
Hi Hans,
Thanks for the wonderful images, a tribute to your mastery, and for the very useful synopsis of the possibilities with this lens.
I have been considering this lens for some time. I know some have concerns about the bulbous lens front, specifically how to protect it when using it in the field. I would be curious if you have any comments on that.
Thanks.
Brad
-
Hi Hans,
Thanks for the wonderful images, a tribute to your mastery, and for the very useful synopsis of the possibilities with this lens.
I have been considering this lens for some time. I know some have concerns about the bulbous lens front, specifically how to protect it when using it in the field. I would be curious if you have any comments on that.
Thanks.
Brad
Thanks Brad, I keep the lenscover on the lens until I'm ready to compose and shoot and the I put it on again. After I have done the shot I put it back on again and move around for another composition. It's a bit similar to the Nikon 14-24 which also has a big front element although a bit smaller than the 11-24. I would say it is not an issue.
-
Hans,
very beautiful photos! the 11mm seems a great lens...
I read it was not that good on 11mm but that seems to be not the case.
i only think this is a bit unnatural, or is it me?
cheers, PK
Thanks very much. It was Venus low on the horizon and I was debating with myself if I should include it or not. In some shots I excluded it and in others I did include it. So it is completely natural :)
-
Really lovely photos of some amazing landscapes. Well done! I'd say that lens is a keeper.
-
Great fun images would love to see some creative use of the zoom and stacking the images should provide a very interesting view not possible otherwise.
thanks for sharing.
barry
-
Beautiful work. I particularly like the icy lakes.
Hugh
-
Thanks very much for the comments and feedback :)
-
Hans, great work and great use of the ultra-WA! :) As a lover of ultra-WA myself, I debated for a long time whether to get the 11-24mm for my Leica SL, and am still on the fence - I have the great Voigtlander 15mm v. III in M mount which I modified to use filters with, and both the Voigtlander 10 and 12mm, which are great but cannot use filters. Your images give me a huge nudge towards getting the 11-24, my wallet will hate you for it! :) Thanks again, best
Vieri
-
Vieri,
I suspect any photographer at the level of either you or Hans could do magnificent things with an 11mm.
Us lesser mortals would need considerable discipline to learn to tame such a beast effectively.
So my wallet is safe, for now. ;)
Eric
-
Wide-angle photography is not as easy as some think. But you managed to get outstanding results… top-notch quality, as usual.
Bravo, Hans.
-
Hans, great work and great use of the ultra-WA! :) As a lover of ultra-WA myself, I debated for a long time whether to get the 11-24mm for my Leica SL, and am still on the fence - I have the great Voigtlander 15mm v. III in M mount which I modified to use filters with, and both the Voigtlander 10 and 12mm, which are great but cannot use filters. Your images give me a huge nudge towards getting the 11-24, my wallet will hate you for it! :) Thanks again, best
Vieri
Thanks Vieri, if you go for it and you still hate me let me see the results :) Well, in any case let's see the results. Your pictures have me an appetite of passing the Cinque Terre coast on my way to Tuscany in May. Thanks.
-
Thanks Eric and Francois, I agree there is some getting used to such a wide lens and not all landscapes are made for it. But you can see that even Isle of Skye which I didn't think was so good for that turned out quite ok when I started looking for the shapes and details in the green hills. As mentioned initially I didn't think I would love this lens, so I felt I needed to show at least some motivation for going for it. It might actually have an impact beyond just that. Who knows? I will see on my own photography.
-
Thanks Vieri, if you go for it and you still hate me let me see the results :) Well, in any case let's see the results. Your pictures have me an appetite of passing the Cinque Terre coast on my way to Tuscany in May. Thanks.
Hello Hans,
of course I won't hate you, I never said that, and I am sure that the results of this lens will be fantastic - my wallet probably will hate you for it though! :D At the moment, I am using the Voigtlander 10 and 12mm, great little lovely lenses, but I need something I can slap a Grad ND and a ND on... the Canon 11-24 could be it, hence my interest (and my upcoming wallet pains!) :)
Glad my work inspired you to go to the Cinque Terre, an area I love since I was a child (much before I started working with photography!). If you decide to go, please let me know if I can be of assistance with anything (logistics, etc).
Best,
Vieri
-
Hello Hans,
of course I won't hate you, I never said that, and I am sure that the results of this lens will be fantastic - my wallet probably will hate you for it though! :D At the moment, I am using the Voigtlander 10 and 12mm, great little lovely lenses, but I need something I can slap a Grad ND and a ND on... the Canon 11-24 could be it, hence my interest (and my upcoming wallet pains!) :)
Glad my work inspired you to go to the Cinque Terre, an area I love since I was a child (much before I started working with photography!). If you decide to go, please let me know if I can be of assistance with anything (logistics, etc).
Best,
Vieri
Thanks Vieri, I don't suspect you would have me :) except your wallet would. I was not aware of the 10mm for the E-mount. I found a review and looks like a very interesting lens. There was a comment on perhaps not being able to close enough with this lens to a chosen foreground. The Canon can get very close.
And thanks for the offer about Cinque Terre. I have been there before but was kind of put off by the heavy tourism there. I will come back to you on that.
-
Fantastic work, Hans!
-
Thanks Vieri, I don't suspect you would have me :) except your wallet would. I was not aware of the 10mm for the E-mount. I found a review and looks like a very interesting lens. There was a comment on perhaps not being able to close enough with this lens to a chosen foreground. The Canon can get very close.
And thanks for the offer about Cinque Terre. I have been there before but was kind of put off by the heavy tourism there. I will come back to you on that.
Actually, I am using the 10mm Voigtlander in M mount with my Leica SL. You can see my review of it here:
VOIGTLANDER HELIAR-HYPER WIDE 10MM F/5.6 REVIEW (https://vieribottazzini.com/2016/08/voigtlander-heliar-hyper-wide-10mm-f5-6-review.html)
Best,
Vieri
-
Actually, I am using the 10mm Voigtlander in M mount with my Leica SL. You can see my review of it here:
VOIGTLANDER HELIAR-HYPER WIDE 10MM F/5.6 REVIEW (https://vieribottazzini.com/2016/08/voigtlander-heliar-hyper-wide-10mm-f5-6-review.html)
Best,
Vieri
Thanks and good to know.
-
Thanks and good to know.
You are very welcome - I think I have found a way to use 100mm filters on the 10mm as well :) I will report back on my website once I find out if it works... that'd make it perfect for me (and make me save a lot of money for the 11-24mm and the adapter!). Best,
Vieri
-
Great series! Thanks for the education in ultra-wide shooting.
Hans: A couple of questions if you allow me:
* How did you approach focusing? Hyperfocal as given by a DoF tool?
* If you use a DoF tool which CoC (circle of confusion) metric do you use for the 5DSR?
-
Great series! Thanks for the education in ultra-wide shooting.
Hans: A couple of questions if you allow me:
* How did you approach focusing? Hyperfocal as given by a DoF tool?
* If you use a DoF tool which CoC (circle of confusion) metric do you use for the 5DSR?
Thanks. I usually use the Photopills DoF table to check hyperfocal distance and near limit and find the f-stop from that. For very closeup I usually use f/16, but I could in a number of cases go with f/11 instead. I haven't changed the CoC in Photopills from the default which is 0,032mm corresponding to a max print dimension of 1x0,66m and a viewing distance of 1m. That sounds good to me. I don't check the DoF table all the time as it is not really needed. I always is back button focus as the AF-ON is the only focussing button on the camera and it is always on AF. So I point the camera at the hyperfocal distance and focus using AF-On and then I compose and shoot. I always refocus after changing the focal length. I difficult cases I will check DoF in live view.
-
Cor, I don't know about anyone else, but some of those could be better photographed as stitched panos, the early three or four, close up on the forest, yikes!
Sorry - completely unconvinced by this perceived "need" to shoot so very wide.
Is there a reason you have excluded so many of the lovely red huts in the village?
I can appreciate the desire at times to go wide with the Northern Lights and a couple of other example, though I can't think which, but in all honestly, a 28 or a 35 and stitched pano would give us a far more realistic image.
Sorry - Room 101 for this lens.
-
... Is there a reason you have excluded so many of the lovely red huts in the village?...
Maybe try expanding the browser window full-screen next time? ;)
-
Hi Hans,
Thanks a lot for those impressive images using the 11mm of that lens. I own it too and yes it is a difficult beast to tame :-) This series you made is a good example for learning and especially thanks for the explanation how you made them. Widened my horizon a lot for experimenting more in future.
regards