Is a mid-range zoom lens really the best for landscape photography?

Say what you like about the zoom versus prime lens argument, but one thing that is indisputable is that zoom lenses are better than ever. No longer are you sacrificing sharpness for the convenience of multiple focal lengths, and these days (if your budget allows), you can even find very fast zoom lenses across the entire focal length range.

It stands to reason then, that many landscape and travel photographers use the mid-range zoom lens as their go-to lens. This is a lens that covers the 24-105mm range, or at least the most part of it. In this video, William Patino discusses the merits of using a zoom lens in this range for landscape photography.

Why the mid-range lens excels in landscape photography

This range lens has many positive aspects, not least the ease of use and portability factor. However, it’s a good choice for more reasons than just this one:

1. Natural perspective

The mid-range lens closely mirrors how the human eye perceives the world, particularly in the 40-50mm range. This results in images that feel relatable and natural to viewers, avoiding the distortion common with ultra-wide lenses and the compression typical of telephoto options.

2. Versatility in composition

Foreground to Background Balance: The mid-range lens excels in creating compositions with depth by including foreground, mid-ground, and background elements. For instance, using rocks or plants as the foreground, transitioning to a lake in the mid-ground, and culminating with mountains in the background creates a layered, visually engaging image.

Subject Isolation: While not as extreme as telephoto lenses, mid-range zooms allow for effective subject isolation, especially when zooming in slightly. This makes them suitable for capturing distant elements or details while maintaining contextual surroundings.

3. Detailed close-ups and intimate shots

Beyond grand landscapes, the mid-range lens is perfect for capturing environmental details—such as textures of rocks, leaves, or water patterns—often overlooked in wide-angle compositions. These intimate shots add variety and storytelling depth to your landscape portfolio.

Drawbacks to consider

Despite their strengths, mid-range lenses do have limitations to consider:

1. Not wide enough

These lenses are not ultra-wide, which might feel restrictive when shooting sweeping landscapes and night skies. A wider option might be a good addition such as a 15mm prime, or even a 10-20mm range zoom in addition to the 24-70/105mm zoom.

2. Limited reach for distant subjects

Wile the mid-range zoom does indeed cover a wide array, you still might be wishing for a longer reaching telephoto lens for shooting say wildlife or more distant subjects. A 70-200mm is a good companion for many types of photography.

Most photographers tend to rely on a trio of lenses to cover all eventualities: a wide angle or ultra wide angle, a mid-range, and a telephoto. Whether you choose zooms or prime lenses is a personal choice and often depends on your budget as well as what you’re shooting. The comfort of a zoom lens can often outweigh the negatives, and as I mentioned earlier, the quality of zoom lenses has increased so much in recent years that if money is no problem, the zoom can be a great choice.

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