Landscape photographers are usually told they need an ultra wide angle lens. While there is certainly a place for wide angle photography, I have found myself moving in the opposite direction.
My primary landscape lens right now is the Tamron 50-400mm mounted on my Sony a6700. Because the a6700 is an APS-C camera, that effectively gives me a field of view equivalent to roughly 75-600mm.
At first glance, that might sound more like a wildlife setup than a landscape kit. In reality, it has become one of my favorite ways to photograph landscapes.
Why I Prefer Telephoto Landscapes
One of the biggest challenges with wide angle photography is dealing with distractions. Wide angle lenses capture everything. Sometimes that works in your favor, but often there is simply too much going on in the frame.
A telephoto lens allows me to isolate the parts of a scene that actually matter.
Instead of photographing an entire mountain range, I can focus on a single peak. Instead of capturing an entire coastline, I can isolate waves crashing against a rock formation. The result is often a cleaner and more impactful image.
Since moving to the coast, this approach has become even more useful. The extra reach allows me to capture distant waves, shoreline details, and wildlife without needing to get physically closer.
My Main Camera and Lens
| Gear | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sony a6700 | Primary landscape and wildlife camera |
| Tamron 50-400mm | Telephoto landscapes, wildlife, coastal photography |
Sony a6700: https://amzn.to/46ANkZ6
Tamron 50-400mm: https://amzn.to/46SPxOq
The versatility of the Tamron 50-400mm is what makes it so appealing. I can photograph a distant mountain one minute and a bird flying overhead the next without changing lenses.
For photographers who want a lightweight setup that can handle almost anything outdoors, this lens deserves serious consideration.
Why I Still Carry a Wide Angle Lens
While I primarily shoot telephoto landscapes, I still bring a wide angle camera with me.
My secondary setup is a Sony a6000 paired with an infrared converted Samyang 12mm lens.
| Gear | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Sony a6000 | Dedicated infrared camera |
| Samyang 12mm | Infrared landscape photography |
Sony a6000: https://amzn.to/4nHFlj6
Samyang 12mm: https://amzn.to/48emeIl
What makes this setup special is the infrared conversion.
Traditional wide angle landscapes do not always excite me. Infrared photography completely changes the look of a scene and creates dramatic black and white images even in harsh midday sunlight.
Instead of carrying a standard wide angle lens, I prefer carrying a dedicated infrared setup because it gives me something visually different.
If I am going to shoot wide angle, I want the image to stand out.
The Benefits of a Two Camera Setup
Carrying two cameras might sound excessive, but it actually simplifies my workflow.
The a6700 handles telephoto photography while the a6000 is always ready for infrared landscapes.
There is no need to swap lenses in the field. When I see a distant subject, I grab the telephoto camera. When I want a dramatic wide angle composition, I grab the infrared camera.
This approach helps me react quickly and spend more time shooting.
The Bag I Use
One reason this setup works so well is that I keep it lightweight.
I am not interested in carrying a massive camera backpack filled with gear I rarely use.
Instead, I use an older Peak Design sling bag that easily holds my a6700 and Tamron 50-400mm.
Peak Design Sling: https://amzn.to/48dA5if
The second camera rides on a Peak Design Capture Clip attached to the outside of the bag, giving me instant access to both cameras without stopping.
This is especially helpful when photographing birds, changing weather conditions, or fast moving light.
Fast Photography Beats Perfect Photography
Many photographers enjoy spending significant time setting up compositions and working from a tripod. There is absolutely nothing wrong with that approach.
Personally, I prefer to stay mobile.
I like being able to grab my camera quickly, react to changing conditions, and capture the moment without digging through a large backpack.
A lightweight setup makes that possible.
Whether I am photographing wildlife, ocean waves, mountain landscapes, or infrared scenes, I can move quickly and focus on enjoying the experience rather than managing gear.
My Complete Landscape Photography Kit
| Item | Link |
|---|---|
| Sony a6700 | https://amzn.to/46ANkZ6 |
| Tamron 50-400mm | https://amzn.to/46SPxOq |
| Sony a6000 | https://amzn.to/4nHFlj6 |
| Samyang 12mm | https://amzn.to/48emeIl |
| Peak Design Sling | https://amzn.to/48dA5if |
Final Thoughts
If there is one thing I have learned recently, it is that landscape photography does not always require an ultra wide angle lens.
Some of my favorite images come from isolating a small piece of a larger scene. A telephoto lens allows me to remove distractions and create stronger compositions.
Pairing the Tamron 50-400mm with an infrared wide angle setup gives me the best of both worlds. I can capture distant subjects with the telephoto lens and create unique wide angle images with infrared photography.
For me, that combination has been one of the most enjoyable and versatile landscape photography setups I have ever used.
