Which focal lengths do you recommend for views from top of mountains?

[Raid Amin]

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Hi,

I have gone over many posted images that were taken from high elevations of mountains, such as the Alps or similar. I am trying to figure out which focal length is best suited here since changing lenses in a cold environment may not be too easy to do. Maybe I am wrong, but is a 35mm lens an overall suitable lens for mountain images or would a short tele or a wide angle lens be better suited?

 

Thank you for your feedback.

[rnl]

Frankly, I'd suggest a 35 mm with a good tripod.  Take a number of exposures and stitch together in Lightroom.

 

The attached was taken next to the keck observatory in Hawaii...a series of 5 exposures in 'portrait" mode.

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Edited January 18, 2018 by richardlipow

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[Peter Kilmister]

Taking photos in the Alps is a challenge. There is huge UV light unless it is snowing. It is very cold but might feel warm in strong sunlight. It could be -12C in the shade but +20C in the sun.

If there is something of interest in the foreground then wide angle is an option. You have to compose, so imagine the view you might take. Any lens is OK depending on the unique view in front of you. If mountain peaks in the distance are your focal point the you'll need a telephoto.

 

I lived in the French Alps for a while. Please don't try changing a lens on a chair lift or your best lens could disappear for ever.

 

Newton's law: Matter can not be created or destroyed. Well, that might have been OK for Isaac Newton but he never lost a pair off sunglasses near the top of a chairlift. If that happens you will never see them again.

[farnz]

Definitely the 135m/6.3 Mountain Elmar.

 

I'm joking of course, Raid.  

 

I don't think there's a right (or wrong) answer to your question because it depends on the particular mountain, how high you are, and what you're intending to shoot.

 

For example, if you're on Jungfrau in the Swiss Bernese Oberland and want a majestic picture of the adjacent peaks receding through the haze into the distance then a wide or ultra-wide angle would be the choice but if you want a picture of an isolated goat on the Eiger 'next door' then a telephoto would be a better choice.

 

A 35 mm lens would be useful but might leave you wishing you had access to other focal lengths on the day.

 

changing lenses in a cold environment isn't such a problem (providing it's not snowing at the time) but I'd try not to go into the warm to do it because then you risk condensation on every cold surface.

 

Pete.

[Narsuitus]

I would take a zoom.

 

Something like an 18-55mm on an APS-C body or a 28-70mm on a "full-frame" body.

[Raid Amin]

Thank you for all the tips here!

I was thinking of Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. 

My current thoughts suggest using M9 with 35mm and M8 with 50mm as the starting point. A small 25/4 or 28/2.8 is also a possibility to have a wider view if needed.I will leave the Hologon 16/8 for street photography.

I can carry only so much on a trip with the family. I could leave behind the M8 and bring along my E-PL1 with Lux 25/1.4. Another carzy thought is using M9 and SWC.

.

[IkarusJohn]

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Take a 35 or 50, and stitch if needs be.

[Herr Barnack]

Be sure to take a 50mm.  When I was at Zion National Park, the views were so huge (lacking a better term) that even a 50mm seemed like a wide angle lens at times.

 

Beyond that, take a 28mm or a 35mm and a 21mm if you have it.  Leica M lenses from 21 to 50 are generally small and lightweight as long as you are not carrying Summiluxes or Noctiluxes.

Edited January 18, 2018 by Herr Barnack

[luigi bertolotti]

As an avid mountaineer for > 40 years, and ALWAYS with some camera with me , my sincere answer is that You can have such a variety of subjects that ANY focal can be appropriate... to be precise, I used, in all those years, any from 21 to 400 : so, brefly said, I tend to agree on some zoom (which I haven't...  and we are in the M lenses section... zooms are aliene...  )

 

Anyway, in recent times I tend to bring with me the usual trio 28 50 135 (+ 280 IF  1) the place is appealing for long focals and  2) I am with my wife to share weight on rucksacks...  )

A small /light tripod for panos is good to have with, and UV filter reccomended.

Edited January 18, 2018 by luigi bertolotti

[farnz]

Thank you for all the tips here!

I was thinking of Jungfraujoch in Switzerland. 

My current thoughts suggest using M9 with 35mm and M8 with 50mm as the starting point. A small 25/4 or 28/2.8 is also a possibility to have a wider view if needed.I will leave the Hologon 16/8 for street photography.

I can carry only so much on a trip with the family. I could leave behind the M8 and bring along my E-PL1 with Lux 25/1.4. Another carzy thought is using M9 and SWC.

.

 

(Jungfraujoch is the amazing railway that runs to the summit of Jungfrau.)

 

What you've suggested sounds like a good selection because it'll give you 35 mm and 67 mm.

 

Pete.

[Jeff S]

I tend to agree on some zoom (which I haven't... and we are in the M lenses section... zooms are aliene... )

.

But Tri-Elmars are not, WATE 16-18-21 or MATE 28-35-50. The WATE actually acts like a true zoom, allowing intermediate focal lengths.

 

Jeff

[jmahto]

As an avid mountaineer for > 40 years, and ALWAYS with some camera with me , my sincere answer is that You can have such a variety of subjects that ANY focal can be appropriate... to be precise, I used, in all those years, any from 21 to 400 : so, brefly said, I tend to agree on some zoom (which I haven't...  and we are in the M lenses section... zooms are aliene...  )

 

Anyway, in recent times I tend to bring with me the usual trio 28 50 135 (+ 280 IF  1) the place is appealing for long focals and  2) I am with my wife to share weight on rucksacks...  )

A small /light tripod for panos is good to have with, and UV filter reccomended.

Hmmm... how does a UV filter help in digital? Seriously asking.

[Raid Amin]

A UV filter has been suggested by several people.

[graphlex]

135mm Elmarit-M v3 is a good option, if you don’t mind the 700g weight.

 

 

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[105012]

I have found 50mm, 90mm and 135mm to be a good range of choices in the mountains. 135mm APO-Telyt is 450g in mass, my upper limit for mass in a lens   and with a lightweight 90mm (TE thin) and 50 (Elmar f/3.5) a comfortable kit to carry...

 

135mm gives a framing of perspective that gives nice effects without being extreme, the 90mm is more subtle in this regard and the 50 is just always useful.

[IkarusJohn]

Hmmm... how does a UV filter help in digital? Seriously asking.

 

Why wouldn't it? (also seriously asking).

 

I'd take a polarising filter, and perhaps a Lee Graduated ND filter - it's very easy to lose snow covered mountain tops through over-exposure.

[jmahto]

Why wouldn't it? (also seriously asking).

 

I'd take a polarising filter, and perhaps a Lee Graduated ND filter - it's very easy to lose snow covered mountain tops through over-exposure.

I meant to ask what is the effect of UV filter on digital sensor. I was under the impression that it is none. I have taken lots of pictures between 10,000 and 14,000 ft. All without UV filter. What I want to know is whether UV filter would have made a positive difference, and what that difference would be.

 

I also read that polarizing filter at high altitude simply turns sky deep blue/black and hence not needed.

Edited January 19, 2018 by jmahto

[IkarusJohn]

Not sure I follow you Jayant, but many’s the photo which would benefit from polarisation, particularly at altitude.

[Narsuitus]

Which focal lengths do you recommend for views from top of mountains?

 

If forced to limit myself to one M-mount prime lens on a full-frame camera, my first choice would be a 35mm and a 28mm would be my second choice.

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[Alberti]

My choice would be as wide as possible.

For monochrome add a dark yellow filter. Just increases contrast. If there is snow, an orange filter does miracles in the snow. And darkens the sky a bit.

UV makes colour a bit muddy in the blue spectrum. Gives haze. Using one for long lenses is a must.

I have great 21 mm pictures, work well on the big mountain horizons. And works in cramped positions with trees, lakes, rocks.

Edited January 19, 2018 by Alberti