Ok. There are some aspects being missed here and not to downplay anyone, I think needs some info.
landscapes are a tricky thing unlike what many think. When your doign landscapes you have to deal not only with the light, but the atmosphere.
NO lens of ANY make or cost can sidebar that element. if you have a thick and hazy day, or if shooting in mid day, the colors will be typically bland.
now everyone will have an opinon so here is mine. (mine alone btw.)
Filters are key here for certian shots and moreover if your not using a tripod i would suggest such.
slower speed is far better than shooting at say 400 or 800 ISO.
Your camera has all the pre-loaded profiles atop the body including the landscape option. OK, that will do fine, but more time in planning and moreover setting the camera to a 100 ISO will greatly help.
The 18-55 is a low end budget consumer lens and though not the highest quality will work.
The core however is that the APS sensor will need some level of higher degree of lens quality to maximize the effect.
This would then be something along the lines between 20-50mm typically, because anything over that limits the field of view and anything under that starts to cause distortion that is unmistakable in such lenses.
Looking at
KEH for starters, a 28-70 L series would run over $400 USD. So if looking for something under the $200 USD range the 28-135 which is a very common lens or a 28-105 will do the trick. if a prime lens, then anything around the 35-50mm range will work.
But such lenses typically are a bit more expensive.
yes a 20mm will work. or even a 17-35mm, but most are typically Quantaray lenses.
it really depends on the amount you want to spend.
