so i just got this canon 5d mark iv and honestly i have no clue what im doing. im going to yellowstone in three weeks and i want to take those huge landscape photos but my current lens is just too zoomed in. someone said i need a wide angle but there are so many numbers and i dont want to waste money on the wrong one. my budget is maybe 700 dollars and i need it soon.
- item something that fits the whole mountain
- item not too heavy
- item under $700
- item easy for a beginner
i feel so dumb asking but i dont even know where to start or what brand is good...
I was on a tight budget for my first big national park trip too and honestly going the used route was the best decision i ever made. You can get way more lens for your money if you dont mind a few cosmetic scratches on the barrel. I picked up a used Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM for right around $600 and i have no complaints at all. It handles those huge vistas at places like Yellowstone perfectly and its way lighter than the f2.8 version which really matters when youre hiking all day. Here is why i like it:
- image stabilization helps a ton if you dont have a tripod
- it takes standard filters which is cheaper than those huge specialized ones
- its sharp enough that you wont feel like you need to upgrade for years If you want to save even more cash, look for a Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM. Its an older design but it gets the job done and you can usually find those for like $350 used. That leaves you plenty of extra money for extra batteries or maybe a decent tripod for those sunrise shots. Just make sure whatever you buy says EF and not EF-S because the EF-S ones wont fit your 5D Mark IV properly. Its a mistake a lot of people make starting out so just watch the labels. Anyway, Yellowstone is gonna be amazing, have fun.
> i dont want to waste money on the wrong one... i feel so dumb asking but i dont even know where to start Honestly I feel this so much... I have been shooting for a decade and I still get that analysis paralysis every time I try to buy a new lens. There are way too many numbers to keep track of and the fear of buying a $700 paperweight is real. I actually had the same exact panic before my first trip to the Grand Canyon with my 5D years ago. In my experience, the confusion never totally goes away, but I found my peace with the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM. It really is the sweet spot for those huge landscape shots without being a brick in your bag. If you want to keep even more cash in your pocket for the actual trip, I have also used the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM. It is an older lens but you can find them used for like $300 or $350. It basically took the stress out of the budget part for me so I could just focus on the views. You are gonna have a blast at Yellowstone, dont let the gear stuff get you down! Just make sure whatever you buy says EF and not RF, since the 5D IV needs that older mount style.
TIL! Thanks for sharing
Honestly i was in the same boat last year before my big trip and i just wanted something that worked without a headache. I ended up sticking with Canon because i was worried about third-party errors or things not fitting right. I have been super satisfied with that choice... everything just clicks into place and the colors are really pretty. For what you're doing, here is what i'd look for:
- Stick to Canon, it just feels safer and more reliable for a beginner.
- Go for a zoom lens instead of a fixed one so you have more flexibility with the views.
- Get something professional grade but buy it used to stay under your budget.
- Make sure it's for full frame cameras so you dont get those black circles on the edges.
- Find something that starts around 16mm or 17mm for those massive mountains. I really think you'll be happy with whatever Canon glass you pick, i've had no complaints so far!
