Is the 24-120mm the Most Underrated Landscape Lens?

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• ISO and Sharpness are ...
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[@kiwipics4003]

I think the tempo is great. We are strolling along with you, hearing your thoughts, then seeing what you're seeing. Closest thing to being there. No glam. Instead, mates hanging out doing something we all love. Time out, chat, shoot, discover, learn and forget about work, bills, queues, alarms and deadlines. Magic.🎯

[@MartinCastein]

thanks my friend

[@kiwipics4003]

@MartinCastein To me, this particular vid shows the difference between a spec-sheet review channel and a mature community channel that's truly educational.

[@Sleepyby]

I appreciate hearing you talk through your process, as well as hearing technical commentary. This is exactly the kind of video I want to watch regarding photography, and I think you are generous with sharing you process in your videos overall. Keeping a video around 10 minutes is a good sweet spot for me, so good job there as well.

[@michaelpoling2341]

You are one of a few that I consistently can learn from and appreciate your efforts immensely as they are real world and honest. Thanks for your channel.

[@evan-the-colorist]

I love this format, seeing your perspective before you actually take the picture, showing the screen on the back of the camera with the settings. LOVE it. So helpful when it comes to composition design.

[@RolandHoltz]

Seeing any situation from another photographers perspective is always much appreciated. Hearing the thoughts that go with it, makes it a learning experience of it's own. Beautifully done. Roland from good old Germany

[@Edgars.Z]

I love both the cadence as well as the total length of the video, 10-20min range is the sweet spot. And yes, it's very useful to see how someone else sees and notices scenes, since it can take many months of trial and error to come to the same conclusions that you share right away!

[@simonburris]

Very much enjoying this. You are dropping useful tips right and left as you go through your work flow. Gorgeous location.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank Simon, glad you liked this!!!

[@gohumberto]

Hi Martin. I think this is your BEST type of content because I learn by practical example, even down to the wet-weather gear in the video. Not necessarily the settings even, but the act of finding a composition (I often tell new people to our photo club to set their cameras to Auto/Program and concentrate on compositions ... we can worry about the technicalities in due course). Actually what I love most about Landscape Photography is the "Hunt" and the luxury of time to contemplate a potential shot. I think this video explains that side of it perfectly.

[@MartinCastein]

I just need to get better at it! I think I know what to do in future with this, youtube is totally different skill set to photography but I will learn this too

[@sallieturner8771]

Great video. I agree with you that the dark and gloomy weather is beautiful and what I enjoyed was hearing what was going on inside your head when you were creating a picture, the composition, and what to frame or leave out.

[@johncolquhoun6416]

Always great to see you work a composition.

[@iainmacdonald7034]

This IS good content, Martin! I enjoyed hearing your thought process, thank you.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!

[@Graveltongue]

I haven’t picked up my camera for nearly 3 months. This vid has nudged me to pick it up and hit the streets. Cheers Martin.

[@MartinCastein]

Good, I hope you do get out with it again!

[@vesekhol]

Martin, Thanks for the great video once again! In my opinion the content like this is extremely informative and valuable to us. It is so interesting to follow your way of thinking at the scene while you are composing the pictures. Well done! 👍

[@IntrovertAmateur]

Since I have a small channel myself and try to grow it, I know what you mean regarding asking for feedback and the algorythm game. Gear videos always seem to work, which is also why I'm doing it myself. But I really really appreciate videos like this one from you which is more focus on the art and craft of photography itself. Walk like Alice is another example. Really helps me to improve my photography and continue to learn. Thanks for experimenting with this format Martin. Would like to see more of it :)

[@OdamaKamayuka]

I just found your channel, and I find it to be very good. The "Come along with me while I take photos" feeling is nice and peaceful. One thing you could do, in my opinion, is to show the focal length, ISO, etc. on the shots you take.

[@tomly3077]

Agree, showing Exif of the image is a plus for viewer! Thanks so much for the video.

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks for the input!

[@Chris-eh3du]

I truly liked this! I appreciated you showing and pointing out how you build the composition, and showing some scenes where you weren't sure if it would work out or not. It helps alot!

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks! Im glad it was useful!

[@AleksanderSukowski]

Thank you Martin, I really enjoyed this video. Especially you exploring a particular location, evaluating various shots. I could watch it for hours, especially with your comments. Looking forward to seeing similar videos, from other places!

[@marcusgrandon3640]

I got my 24-120 as an afterthought and it has become my most used lens for landscapes. And this coming from a dedicated ultra-wide shooter. I hadn’t removed my 16-35mm from my camera for years. Happy to now with the 24-120. Sharpness is incredible. Versatility is amazing. I still shoot ultra wide, too. But now I often have the new 23-120 bc lens on.

[@FaithTechPhoto]

Excellent content Martin! your quote. "open your eyes and see it" is what most photographers do not do. They always want those glorious golden hour shots. Some are blessed to have that ability to see compositions and others have to work hard to get it. I just started taking long exposure photos at the beach on really crappy days. I need lots of practice. Take care, best wishes! Oh by the way those ducks are a pair of Common Mergansers in your island shot and then a pair of Mallards on the last duck image.

[@toml7945]

Thanks for the video! What you're doing in this video is what I do most, Landscapes and general outdoor photography of nature.

[@josephmccormack4451]

Stunning photos 🤙 I enjoyed watching the trek around the lake.

[@RohannvanRensburg]

Tempo is great, as is seeing the live process of your composition. Would love to see more in various genres.

[@Steve-jl8pq]

Really enjoyed this, like seeing your thought processes in composition,

[@Adogcallednoortje]

The weather appreciation is so spot on. Especially for a photographer.

[@geraldinebryce594]

I also prefer days like this. Very few people,great atmosphere for photography. Like seeing what you see and why you choose the composition. Keep making content like this. Thank you

[@Maximus0389]

Hey Martin, very nice video and i'm agree with you, you can take amazing photos at every weather conditions 🙂

[@longingbydesign]

Love to see you explore the area. So peaceful, I'm enjoying this, and I highly enjoy the music you've chosen. Music is such an underrated aspect of photography videos, it can really make a good video great. As of the topic, the first two shots already show why 24mm just isn't wide enough for landscape. Both shots probably would have benefitted a lot from being taken at 20mm, orr even 18mm, giving the small island just a little more breathing room and transporting the wideness of the view.

[@MartinCastein]

Hi thanks for the feedback! Yes could do with other lenses too but it is nice to sometimes just potter about with one lens too.

[@SMZ9D850]

I like videos like this. You offer a unique perspective and a show a good understand of composition. I also share your appreciation for older gear and have enjoyed those types of videos as well - cameras and lens that have a special color science or character. keep up the good work!

[@alangardner8596]

I do very little landscape photography but whatever you do the principal is the same. You find something that may look good and then work out what is the best way to photograph it. When you look at the results ask how it would be better and then put that knowledge into your next shoot.

[@michaelaiello5229]

Wonderful video explaining your process and exposure in low contrast environments! And your photos are stunning...

[@bratsdelight]

The maestro.. Slowly falling in love with this style of blog

[@Twobarpsi]

Excellent photos Martin!

[@mk0x55]

Lovely shots, beautifully composed, and that tranquil mood! Heck, I'd be proud of a shot like one of these.

[@jacquesgiard6943]

Thanks!

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you !!!!🙏

[@leonardotonin6201]

Thank you Martin Castein for your thoughts.

[@TonyHogrefe]

I love your content. I, too am both a landscape and portrait photographer. Your catalog of videos are right up my street.

[@thomasphillips5850]

Martin, this is excellent, the conditions are superb. The images are wonderful. That is one of my favorite lenses. I shoot the F version on my 850, love it. Love the images, thanks for another great video.

[@michaelschmitt5413]

I too love foggy scenes. Where I live, they generally only occur early in the morning. As I've gotten older, getting up and going is harder than when I was young. BTW, I really enjoy your YT videos.

[@SpaklesDr]

It is my favorite landscape lens ever. I do miss the 14-24 at times when I leave it home but if I am exploring with one lens...this is the one.

[@miguelcoelho8874]

I really enjoyed this video and I hope you continue to offer us more videos of this type. I loved! Thanks.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you! Will do!

[@chrissmith7069]

❤thankyou Martin, superb content, just what I needed. Please continue with this type of content.. 🎉🎉

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you! Will do!

[@Twobarpsi]

That lens is very versatile. Great photos Martin!

[@MartinCastein]

Yeah mid range zoom is always super useful

[@KarySchump]

Loved this, just you shooting and talking!!

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you!

[@Dngrov257]

Martin, excellent video as usual. When shooting landscapes I most often shoot the EF 24MM-105MM F4 when shooting my 6D and the Nikkor 24MM-105MM F4 when shooting my D750. (Why do a shoot Canon and Nikon? I blame you!). Both are very versatile and very much underrated IMO. The conditions you shot in today are my favorite. So many possibilities!

[@GregWilson713]

Great photos. Love the Compositions. You have a great eye. I bought a 5D MKii because of your videos.

[@MartinCastein]

Glad you like them!

[@norm021557]

Great content. Thanks Martin.

[@stevenfouts9150]

I love it, great commentary better yet great shots.

[@mattsutton8804]

Just do what you do. I enjoy it. Love the minimal shots. Thanks.

[@Suhailkhan53]

Nice videos and great compositions. ❤

[@MartinCastein]

thanks!

[@geraldinebryce594]

I also have this lens so great to see it in action for landscape 🙏

[@TwizyMan]

I really enjoy your videos not only for the content but the way you present them, and especially this one as it is great to see how other photographers actually work. I worked for nearly 40 years as a photographer after opening my first studio in Sheffield in 1977. In retirement I have turned to landscape and travel photography as it is something I never did professionally. Obviously I used film for most of my career and realise I need help now with editing, so I am interested to learn about your workshops. Please could you always start this type of video telling us what camera make and model you are using and precise details of the lenses too. Interesting to see that unlike other Landscape Photographers on here, you work without a tripod. In these days of stabilised cameras and lenses, I think you can work more freely without one, AND avoid lugging one around!

[@MartinCastein]

Hi thank you very much, ok I will mention at the start what I am using Im a bit wary of promoting expensive gear but yes why not if its what I use sometimes. I never used a tripod much as I dont really like them. Even with dslrs I would just take the shot rather than use a tripod. I dont like the flow of working with them as I like to quickly look for new compositions and feel it slows me down and dont like the whole feel of it. I know its not the "best" way to shoot but it is what I like. Thanks for your comment!

[@petevonschondorf4609]

this was a good video, I particularly like more of the thought process behind the development of the composition

[@bernhardgiuliani6901]

Thank you very much for this inspiring video. Maybe 24-105/120 is the best compromise for an artsy photowalk after all. I’m still trying to cure my GAS and just go with what I have. Thinking more about composition and lighting and mastery of the tool is what I’m trying to achieve. And of course honing my editing skills. Please keep going.

[@gerhardsteinhofer]

Thank you for this interesting video. Nevertheless, my personal main interest is portrait, event and wedding photography. The Z 24-120 mm S is my most used and most loved lens on full format because it is so versatile and still quite fast.

[@cmc4214]

Really like this style of video, Keep up the good work!

[@camo010154]

Hi Martin, another good video, looking forward to your next video. Cheers !

[@colingerard7863]

Hi Martin. I am always happy to see a location video in the notifications. I would like to see a 7:1 ratio of you talking to camera and being out and about (easy for me to say as I don't have a channel to maintain, videos to shoot, edit, arrange, etcetera). I was wandering a few times watching this if you were also shooting in other aspects 16x9 came to mind. I connected with the fact that if you hadn't of taken a single picture it would of still been a great day out. Kind thoughts and all that stuff. Plus, here is a theory to contemplate. Your favoured position in a football team is a reflection of the pictures you take and how you take them...look at other photographers you know and ask the question :-))

[@JamesMears76]

This was really helpful thank you

[@MartinCastein]

Glad it was helpful!

[@hackinghifi]

This is great content thanks Martin. Would love to see you working with models etc, this style of video but working with people. That’s the hardest part for me, posing, interacting with clients.

[@MartinCastein]

Great suggestion!

[@hackinghifi]

@ thanks! Looking forward to the next one.

[@karlbrodowsky7744]

Thank you for the video. Where you consider shooting the branch but it touches a rock i would have tried with longer focal lengtb from further away.

[@Amanda-rd8fl]

Wow! I really appreciate the detail you put into this video. That landscape is gorgeous! Did you travel to get there or do you live near it already?

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks! I drove about 300 miles!

[@TomBeasley-k3x]

When you initially consider a possible composition, and then decide against it, please share your thoughts about why you didn’t take the shot as you did with the low branches touching something you didn’t like. There is much to learn from why you didn’t take the shot as there is why you are taking it and explaining building your composition. Speaking your thoughts outload as you go is powerful. No theory, just real time learning. You are great and your videos are great, thank you.

[@MartinCastein]

ohhh ok yes good point and noted!

[@adventure_photo]

Great video and I enjoyed this content!

[@MartinCastein]

Glad you enjoyed it!

[@craiglinacrephotography]

8:29 Loving the content Martin. Would you consider making a film shooting something completely different as a one off. Maybe a parkrun shooting the runners as they are getting ready, during and at the end. Also with a camera/lens combination that isn't regarded as what sports photographers would use. This would show you can take great pictures without all the gear. Possibly your D600 with an f4 short zoom. I personally shoot weddings and sport. Keep up the good work.

[@jeffaldrich9267]

Good video - enjoyed it.

[@Jamie.Smith76]

Great video, great lens and I love the shot of the island with the ducks swimming past. But, I have to disagree with you at 9:28 when you say "the IBIS isn't particularly great on this" The Z8 has fantastic IBIS and can capture shots of 1 sec handheld!

[@Joechiaroascurro]

Very enjoyable content. Would be interested to know the camera model, the lens, and the harness / holster. Cheers.

[@pawl_s]

Nice one 👍 you could show more like this from your landscape/portrait shootings. Very interesting.

[@robertlayne8180]

I really enjoy this content. Beautiful lighting and use of camera angle. I noticed in the pier photo you angled the lens down slightly. Controling the horizon but allowing the wider angle to accentuate the overall view?

[@daledrevdahl3455]

I really enjoyed that thank you.

[@helmerkappert5152]

Enjoyed it, infirmative to hear your thoughts while looking for a nice shot. To my surprise you do not use the tripot , and relative long exposure times. Is VR that good?

[@c.p.t.311]

I really like this type of content as well, would love to see stuff from your wildcamps.

[@MartinCastein]

Working on this just trying to sort out how to film.

[@c.p.t.311]

@@MartinCastein For me the content is more important than the quality so a simple action cam would be ok for me at least.

[@onemanband3579]

Top stuff, have you managed to make a stop in Appleby yet?

[@kunstfuhrer]

It is soooooo beautiful, like a daydream came alive. Pure magic. Please make some more videos like this. Maybe it's a bit werid, but i'd like it to be more meditative, like less speach or so. Don't get me wrong, i like a lot what you're saying and how you tell about all your thoughts while you're shooting, just give me an ability to get there by my own and feel the location, you know

[@MartinCastein]

Hi thanks yes I understand that, I just worry people drop off without talkng but I feel like I instinctively would like to add in more sections of video which just let the scene breathe a bit.

[@kunstfuhrer]

@MartinCastein exactly, i definitely didn't mean keep all the video silent, just a fraction of it) Your video production is great, it is both informative ad inspiring, im always glad to see a notification of a new one, thank you for your work

[@kunstfuhrer]

@MartinCastein infact it is subjective, some people might like it as it is, because it is short enough and full of information, so you just do it like you feel you should, i suppose

[@eletor]

I enjoyed it

[@sharonhaasbroek7464]

The 24-120 lens is one of my favourites.

[@ianphillips1989]

Really enjoyed the video, understanding more of your thoughts as you shoot. May be not an entire KZbin channel, but inclusion within the sets of videos you produce. Would be interesting to see this done again but in a city environment and a comparison in how you frame, set up the camera in both environs? Keep the videos coming, and may be one outside the comfort zone, so something you don't normally shoot - sports, action and see how your usual workflows handle the variety?

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you very much, i had wanted to have a go at a bit of wildlife sometime but I do shoot a fair few genres but then again if I feel like I want to have a go... dont have a suitable lens though so there is that.

[@janedagger]

Watching a second time cos.. i"m so damned jealous of your landscapes. Thoroughly enjoyed your little romp and learned a bit, so, thank you. Coincidentally I have a 28-80mm f/3.5-5.6 coming I wanna play with in the snow, should be fun.

[@MartinCastein]

haha well you have pretty awesome landscapes over there in the states too, just pack up your horse and hit the trail and you will find them!

[@RichardFraser-y9t]

I use the 24-120 F4 G VR on my old D810 as a walk around lens, does really well for a kit lens. I would recommend it to anyone looking for a do it all lens.

[@MartinCastein]

Yes for sure its a great setup!

[@petervr406]

Fantastic lens, super versatile for land & cityscape

[@MartinCastein]

For sure, great focal length for general purpose.

[@cgriggsiv]

Awesome video I do like the photographs

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you very mucc

[@dannyvanrijn9750]

I really love this.

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you Danny, appreciated.

[@Maxeerock]

Amazing video.

[@charlescrosen3078]

Love It Keep IT UP..........

[@MartinCastein]

Thank you, I will

[@bertjeeninga36]

I think it is great content, i would like to see where your focuspoint are

[@cgriggsiv]

Again very nice calming video Another lens that I would use but I do not have at the moment for my Pentax system is the 18-270 That would be perfect for my one lens system but as of right now it is a two lens system very small both lenses are compact enough to go into the evok 7L camera bag And those lenses are the SMC HD DA WR 10-17 and the SMC HD DA WR 18-135 camera is the Pentax K-70

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks for sharing!

[@JLeoH]

Stopping down from F4 makes a lot of sense. As most fast lenses are corrected for sharpness wide open; their MTFs peak at f4, not F8 or f11. Although I don't own these lenses, my observation is that the 15-30S appears to be sharper stopped down than the 12-24S. Anyone can confirm that? In DSLR times, 2.8 was good for a bright viewfinder. These days, it seems pointless to get a 2.8 zoom for landscapes unless you also do events.

[@wernerdesmet8672]

I believe it is high time to debunk the myth that only wide angle lenses can be used for landscape photography. Well done, great video!

[@dmytrohryshyn]

Very like this type of video. I would like to visit this place. How it’s called?

[@Martin-nu6ym]

Yes.

[@rhykko77]

Beautiful photography ....."Let your islands glow dreamy " Rb 2025

[@andrewdenby8239]

Some lovely shots you got there, more of the same please...

[@cgriggsiv]

Not carrying too much about the 24 to 105 because I have the 28-105 for my Pentax K1 Mark II but I do have a Sony SLT 24 to 300 I'm just trying to find the right deal for the a77 apparently MPB has no idea what the hell they're selling and said that that lens was for Pentax K-Mount and in fact we all know that it's for Sony it's a new lens just can't use it at least not yet Make matters worse for myself I had no idea that that lens was for Sony and the criteria that I put in the search bar was full frame 24-300 Pentax came out and that lens was the first one that popped up That's what I bought right from MPB and it was a wrong lens all together for the wrong camera system

[@MartinCastein]

oh dear! They do make mistakes but their customer service is always good message them if you can and tell them

[@zampination]

Content is great but it takes so much more effort to produce and edit and i'd like to remind you that your niche is your way of you talking calmly and the way of sharing your tips and older experience with gear, techniques etc without the need to physically be out there if it isn't possible. So just make sure while you're producing outdoors content like this that you offer as much information and your personal opinions as when you're doing talking head videos on your studio. Just a reminder... Otherwise you're doing great so far and the tempo is good

[@MartinCastein]

Thanks yes a few said this too i want to to be careful to not change the program too often as such.

[@notaone-also]

Love the way you talk up a shot...but for a change why not take a few of those you think would not work and then back home tell us if you were right or not about that shot.

[@moritzschneider2735]

Zoom with your feet 😂 jump in the pond hahahh

[@MartinCastein]

hahaha i know right!

[@alexandreprevost4192]

Ou un 24-105 si tu n'es pas Nikon