which lens for buildings,monuments?

[melmo78]

im traveling to USA soon and i want to be able to get pictures of buildings and monuments so im looking at either the 9-18mm or the 11-22mm which would be best for this stuff.

Im also taking over with me 14-54,40-140(or if i get it in time 70-300 but then i wouldnt take the 40-150) and maybe a 35mm or i might buy that in the US, they are much cheaper than here in thats for sure.

and should i wait till im in the US to get the new lenses or get them here?? do the lenses have an international warrenty or just country of purchase warrenty?

if i do purchase them in the US do i have to pay tax on them when i come back into Australia?

[OzzieTraveller]

G'day Mel

Your series of Qs appears to me to be a 'how long is a piece of string' type of Q ~ and nearly impossible to answer

to your final Q - I believe that $999 is the customs limit for o'seas purchases 'not' attracting GST on your return

and as to the query on the first two lens options ~ only you can answer this Q
~ how much does each cost &
~ can you afford it?

~ how wide an angle does it cover
~ will it 'do' the job you expect of it &
~ how often will you use it?
therefore ~ is it worth it in the long run
and we can't help you there

Regards, Phil

[Seven]

I think the 11-22 would be a nice range to have as don't think the difference between the 9-18 would be alot different.

I am thinking going down to 9 would distort the image to much, but would be interested if maybe some members have some shots straight from the camera to compare.

I can only comment on the fact I have a 10-20 and at 10 it starts to distort the lines alot. Depending on which angle you shoot.

[TOM]

wow, that's a lot of gear to lug overseas. For my last trip I took a D200 and 1.4/50mm lens, and if I went again, I'd want to go even smaller. However a 11-22 wouldn't be so great for architecture. Wide anlge lenses aren't for cramming as much in as possible, they are for shooting close up. Consider a moderate wide like a 35mm, which is is the most most versatile focal lenght IMO, with the possible exception of a 50mm.

[TOM]

hey Melmo, check out THIS LINK (http://www.luminous-landscape.com/techniques/digital_tool_for_architecture.shtml) for some useful tips on architechture with a SFDSLR.

[melmo78]

thanks for the answers.

thanks heaps for the link Tom