If you are interested in landscape photography, you might think that the first lens you should pick up is an ultra-wide angle zoom. Those can certainly be useful tools, but there might be a better first lens. This excellent video will show you a potentially better choice.
Coming to you from Photo Tom, this great video makes a case for why a 24-105mm f/4 lens should be the first lens a budding landscape photographer should buy. I strongly agree with the video for a few reasons. You might think that something like a 16-35mm lens should be your first purchase, particularly considering how much professionals use them, but ultra-wide angle lenses can be especially difficult to use effectively, particularly when it comes to composition. A 24-105mm lens still gives you plenty of wide angle focal lengths to work with, but it also gives you short telephoto options to explore more abstract and isolated shots. And you certainly don't need a 24-70mm f/2.8 for landscape work, as you don't need a wide aperture. You're much better opting for the extra reach and lower price of a 24-105mm f/4. Check out the video above for the full rundown.
And if you really want to dive into landscape photography, check out "Photographing The World 1: Landscape Photography and Post-Processing with Elia Locardi."
Nice article Alex. Excellent advice. The first impulse for a new photographer is to buy an uwa lens.