buying lenses for photogrammetry in archaeology

[Dukytony]

Hey everyone!

I got 600-800€ of budget to buy one or 2 lenses for photogrammetry.

I am using Nikon DSLR'S and for now we only have zoom kit lenses, wide angle sigma 10-20mm, and macro-lenses.

We are working in archeological field contexts (excavations/buildings) so we need the most versatile gear.

I think I would definitely go for a prime lens but I don't know about the focal length 35mm/50mm or wider?

Should we go for one high quality prime lens or for 2 cheaper prime lenses with 2 different focal lengths?

like for example :

https://www.amazon.fr/Nikon-2199-Objectif-Nikkor-AF-S/dp/B004Y1AYAC/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494581872&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+50mm

 and

https://www.amazon.fr/Nikon-Objectif-AF-S-DX-35/dp/B001S2PPT0/ref=sr_1_1?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1494582495&sr=1-1&keywords=nikon+35mm.

Thanks a lot for your help guys!

[Jeremiah_ROWE]

Are you flying over with a UAV or is this going to be a terrestrial approach?

[Dukytony]

For now we are only using tripods, pole and manual photography. I don't think we ll be flying anytime soon...

Our main goal here is to get sharper results and better low light performance than with our kit lenses.

[Arahne]

I use 12-24 for wide angles. It is very useful when you want to make photos of profiles in narrow trench. 16-85 and 17-55 also for different situations. I would not hesitate to buy them used. It lowers the price significantly. For low light situations use tripod, long exposures and high ISO settings. Depending on camera between 400 and 800.

[Dave Martin]

Dukytony,

I've no experience with Nikon, I use Sony kit, but from my experience:

If at all possible, I would go for prime lenses (i) because better no-compromise glass, and (ii) there's no risk of focal length drifting during a shoot. Also, if you do ever mount on a UAV, the reduced number of elements can mean there's less vibration sensitivity with a prime than a zoom lens.

I would suggest you review different manufacturers; e.g. for Sony kit, the Sigma 19mm is regarded by many as better than the Sony prime equivalent, irrespective of price - and in fact its cheaper than the Sony 20mm (although the Sony 20mm is shallower).   That Sigma 19mm is my default photogrammetry lens both terrestrial and UAV - I do have access to Sigma 30mm but hardly ever used it. On terrestrial work, my personal experience is that I really try to avoid a long lens for photogrammetry - if I can I will always try to get close enough to get overlap with the 19mm.

Dave

[AdrienB]

Hello Dukytony,
As Dave Martin says, take a look on others manufacturers,
I use a Sigma too, 24-70mm EX DG HSM and, for now, i don't found a better compromise between price/quality/using experience ( and I have test a lot ! ). IMO, fixed focal is ok when you have a lot of money to buy multiples one.

I do sometimes some archeological projects ( dolmen, caves, tomb, ... ) and going at 50-70 mm can be really useful.
try to found one with a small focus distance, under 50cm.

Good luck !

[SAV]

Hi Dukytony,

Both the Nikkor 35mm f/1.8 and Nikkor 50mm f/1.8 are great lenses. If you want to push it even further, you could get the f/1.4 versions of both of these lenses. However, this will then exceed your budget for just a small gain in 'picture quality'.

If you are dealing a lot with low-light situations, try to get a LED light panel (for example this cheap solution https://tinyurl.com/l3pzgcx) which can be attached to your DSLR's hot shoe. These light panels are normally used for cinematography and are able to generate a very soft light at a chosen light temperature (great to adjust/correct for white balance) and at various brightness levels. They are really great and will allow you to adjust your camera settings (ISO, aperture, shutter speed) to get better quality pictures.

Regards
SAV

[Dukytony]

Right now I think I would go for a 24 or 28mm because I think it would be the most adequate focal length for working mostly on modelling large surfaces (trenches/walls/pole photography).

https://www.amazon.fr/Nikon-1-8-AF-S-NIKKOR-Objectifs/dp/B013D1BBBY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1494848111&sr=8-1&keywords=nikon+24mm

Right now we are mostly shooting at 18mm with our kit lenses so it should not be too hard to adapt to a fixed 24mm.

Tell me what you guys think!

Thanks a lot for your answers  guys!

[Dukytony]

I have still have a question :

all of our DSLR's are DX bodies so If we buy a 24mm FX we ll have the same frame size as If we buy a 35mm dx.

Is there a really big quality difference between the two lenses because the prices are really different?

I don't think we'll buy a fx body anytime soon