Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

clbegis · **Mountains of Colorado -** 07-22-2010, 05:52 PM

I am headed to the mountains of Colorado and wondering what a good landscape lens is. We will be jeeping and have great views from high up. I am shooting with a Canon 40D and have the 17 - 85 that came with the kit. Anything I should consider renting? I am willing to experiment so renting might be an option.

Other than what I have read across the internet .... any tips?

Thanks,
Cooper

Jim Boyd · 07-22-2010, 07:09 PM

I don't know about Canon, but when I shoot landscapes in Colorado with my Nikon, I use my 14-24 and 24-70. It seems like your lens should do fine.

Tips: tripod, shutter release, and filters.

Where are you going?

clbegis · 07-22-2010, 07:16 PM

Thanks Jim. Tripod ... check. Shutter release ... check. Filter ... well, maybe. I have a fairly low end canon UV filter that I use mainly for scratch protection. Anything specific in the filter area?

We are headed to Ouray, CO and plan to do quite a bit of jeeping. Old mining camps, and great vistas being up that high. It is just a great place.

Jim Boyd · 07-22-2010, 07:52 PM

The only filter I might consider is a circular polarizer, but it's not a must-have. I makes the skies a deeper blue, but the skies in Colorado are pretty blue anyway. Ouray is a great place to trout fish and soak in the hot springs. Are you going to Mesa Verde?

shutterfire · 07-23-2010, 03:54 AM

Ouray is primo and durango and the steam train isnt that far.

parrotmomma · 07-23-2010, 06:04 PM

My husband and I did this trip last month, and had a riot. We took my Wrangler over Imogene Pass, where the view is like being on the top of the world. Went over Ophir Pass, also did part of Black Bear, but it was closed at the pass, so we were unable to go down the (very scary) Telluride side. We went on so many trails around Silverton, that I can't even remember them all. The old mining areas and ghost towns are amazing. Are you going to go up to Marble and see the Crystal Mill? We did that, then took Lead King back to Marble. This goes by the Snowmass-Maroon Bells area, which is spectacular. Have a great trip!!

Buddha · 07-24-2010, 06:50 PM

Without a UV filter, your images will have a white haze on them. I'm not sure if it is the altitude and sun, or just the longer distances that you seem to shoot at, but it's there and it's ugly.

Richard DeYoung · 08-01-2010, 02:38 PM

a good uv filter is a must to cut out haze. Also you might consider a 70/200 lens for some close ups of birds, trees,etc.

kmeronek · 08-13-2010, 06:07 AM

I would rent a 24-70mm f2.8 & a 70-200mm f2.8.

pj · 09-21-2010, 07:31 AM

You might consider a graduated Neutral Density filter if you plan on shooting a lot of wide shots of panoramic mountains. It can keep your mountains from being washed out in the distance.

clayhilda55 · 09-29-2010, 05:25 AM

Would be glad to see your photos dude, hope you would share a link of Colorado pix here soon.

clbegis · 09-29-2010, 08:40 PM

Ok, here are a couple of pics. We were in the mountains outside of Ouray, 4 wheeling.

C&C Welcome.

Shane Jennings · 09-29-2010, 09:33 PM

A polarizer will cut the haze as good as or better than a haze/UV filter, and it will really make the skies and colors pop. My favorite landscape lens is my Tokina 12-24mm f/4. The 11-16mm f/2.8 is really nice as well.

It's not Colorado, but it's that lens with a CP in front...

lfmerrell · 03-02-2011, 07:57 PM

About Silverton, they had open wall to wall WiFi when I was there last summer. It seems a lot of folks miss the Silverton mountain graveyard on the upslope side of town. Some great possibilities such as shooting the carved and dated grave stones with trees blue skies and snow covered mountains in the background. There is the old and rusted cable-ore zip line crossing the stream and decaying structures on the far side of the stream. The Ouray to Silverton drive has great photo ops.

San Juan Mountains > Scenic Drive
Scenic Drive through the San Juan Mountains, Colorado

humminboid · 03-03-2011, 09:35 AM

The lens you have will do a marvelous job for the landscapes. Take the sunshade!
UV filter, and/or circular polarizer to eliminate some haze.
TRIPOD !
Remote release

If you want to get really technical, a 2 stop graduated Neutral Density filter, either the screw-on type, or a cokin "P" size with an adapter and holder will bring the sky and foreground exposures into closer agreement.

As was stated, a good 70-80-200mm zoom in case of wildlife or anything else, and you will be set. Have fun!

Pixtus - Photography Forum, Photographers, Photo Tips

Mountains of Colorado