Posted by Laurie Wendt on April 9, 2009 at 1:22 PM
I finally took the plunge and purchased the new Tokina 11-16 today.
Having no experience shooting with a super wide, would anyone have any hints, do's or dont's shooting with a lens this wide? I'm heading to Oregon next week to try it out on waterfalls and the coastline.
I think one tip for a wide angle like that, is to get a graduated ND filter that is as large as you can. I mean just my 2 cents. have fun with that new wide angle. congradulations
You'll be surprised at how often your tripod legs creep into the photo. So, really sweep the edges of your frame before you make an exposure. Also, you'll likely experience some vignetting with most screw on filters, even if you have the ultra-thin design filters. Chad's suggestion to get a big GND is a good one. Finally, don't take any self-portraits of yourself at arm's length with it unless you want to see something REALLY funny looking!
Posted by Kalin Wilson on April 9, 2009 at 3:00 PM
It will take some getting used to how close your can, and may need to, get to a foreground subject to give it a good place in the composition. You'll be sitting right on top of your subject sometimes, which, if that involves cliff edges, can be fun. Even though these lenses to a good job of minimizing distortion, be aware of it, especially vertical lines. I like to compose verticals with a lot of sky - you don't notice distortion as much (sometimes) and you can get some cool perspectives of clouds with a wide view.
Be really careful with polarizers. The wide view will yield widely different amounts of polarization across the sky. With these lenses, I usually take the polarizer off unless I need it for reflections or foilage color.
WA panoramas can be fun, and a little challenging.
Get a slim polarizer, point at the sky and check for vignetting at f22 with DOF preview on. I use a Nikon slim with my 12-24 and have no problems. I agree with Kalin about some of the wierdness that can occur using polarizers with big skies. oftentimes just a little polarization is better than a lot. I also handhold split ND's and shoot a bunch of shots to make sure I have without fingers and thumbs in the image.
Posted by Doug Andrews on April 9, 2009 at 4:26 PM
You'll be surprised at how often your tripod legs creep into the photo.
No kidding. I don't know how many times I've gotten home and downloaded my images to the computer only to find out then that I had a tripod leg showing up in the bottom corner.
I love my 12-24 Tokina, as has been said earlier you have to outgrow your fear of getting close! There have been several times where my lens is less than 4inches from a rock or something just to get the perspective of the shot. It looked through the lens though that I was still over a foot away. Scary when you look away! Also works great with noses on animals! Enjoy your new investment.
Posted by Jack Garrett on April 9, 2009 at 5:53 PM
I got a Tokina 11-16 last month and I've shot with it a few times, most recently last night. I agree with Kalin says about having something close in the foreground..it helps to draw the viewer into the scene. I tried using it yesterday for a grand scenic and I gotta say that without foreground, I wasnt too thrilled. Other than that, I think it is an extremely good lens so far.
Read this essay titled 'Hyperfocal Focusing for Wide Angle Landscape Photos' to learn how to keep everything sharp from fore to aft, then clip out the chart and put it into your camera bag.
I carry a small lightweight tape measure to measure out those hyperfocal distances and have never regreted carrying it along. This is particularly important with wildflower shots or wherever you want a very close foreground. Be sure not to mistake the meters column for the foot column when measuring.
When using the polarizer, be sure to take the same image without it. You'll be surprised by the uneven polarization you get in the skies with the ultra wide lens, which can ruin your work. Enjoy!
One of the best tips I ever got (from Thom Hogan) was think DEPTH, not WIDTH with these lenses - ie tell your story and draw your viewer into and all the way through the picture. I have seen too many shots with wide lenses that are too wide and not 'deep' enough.
Posted by Laurie Wendt on April 9, 2009 at 8:57 PM
Great info, Thanks everyone. You guys really came though. You brought up some great stuff!
It can also be fun to get down low to the ground and experiment with your comps with near objects. Be very careful with portraits unless you are trying for some deblierate weirdness. Most of all have fun - it is an adventure! Check this link for some tips:
Posted by Bob Falcone on April 11, 2009 at 10:43 PM
"When using the polarizer, be sure to take the same image without it. You'll be surprised by the uneven polarization you get in the skies with the ultra wide lens, which can ruin your work."
I really endorse paying heed to Johns suggestion! I can attest to the fact that unless you're paying very close attention when looking through the viewfinder, it's very easy to miss the uneven polarization that occurs with superwides. It's gotten to the point where I rarely even use a polarizer on my superwide...
Discussion
12 repliesHaving no experience shooting with a super wide, would anyone have any hints, do's or dont's shooting with a lens this wide? I'm heading to Oregon next week to try it out on waterfalls and the coastline.
Be really careful with polarizers. The wide view will yield widely different amounts of polarization across the sky. With these lenses, I usually take the polarizer off unless I need it for reflections or foilage color.
WA panoramas can be fun, and a little challenging.
Have fun!
No kidding. I don't know how many times I've gotten home and downloaded my images to the computer only to find out then that I had a tripod leg showing up in the bottom corner.
Jack
I carry a small lightweight tape measure to measure out those hyperfocal distances and have never regreted carrying it along. This is particularly important with wildflower shots or wherever you want a very close foreground. Be sure not to mistake the meters column for the foot column when measuring.
When using the polarizer, be sure to take the same image without it. You'll be surprised by the uneven polarization you get in the skies with the ultra wide lens, which can ruin your work. Enjoy!
One of the best tips I ever got (from Thom Hogan) was think DEPTH, not WIDTH with these lenses - ie tell your story and draw your viewer into and all the way through the picture. I have seen too many shots with wide lenses that are too wide and not 'deep' enough.
http://www.shutterbugsource.com/general-photography-tips/wide-angle-photography-broaden-your-horizons
I really endorse paying heed to Johns suggestion! I can attest to the fact that unless you're paying very close attention when looking through the viewfinder, it's very easy to miss the uneven polarization that occurs with superwides. It's gotten to the point where I rarely even use a polarizer on my superwide...