im so hyped for my iceland trip next month and i finally saved up around 800 bucks to grab a proper zoom for my a7iv. im torn between a used Sigma 24-70mm Art off MPB or just getting a new Tamron 28-75mm G2 since its lighter for hiking. the Sigma looks better for those landscape shots but man its heavy and more expensive.
ive been refreshing B&H like every hour but do you guys know if any sites have specific promo codes or hidden deals right now? i heard Greentoe might be good for the Tamron but never used them before. where are people actually finding the best e-mount discounts these days outside of the big retailers...
TL;DR: Greentoe is a secure option for getting full warranties at lower prices. I suggest the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Sony E for your trip. Its lighter for hiking and fits your budget. Greentoe lets you bid on brand new units, which is safer than used gear imo. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art Sony E is high quality but i dont like the extra weight for long trails...
Just saw this and had to jump in because Iceland is amazing! Seriously, for landscape shots, you want that extra reach or width without breaking your back. Forget the heavy Art lens for hiking, honestly. Its way too much glass to lug around all day. Check out these data-backed winners that fit your budget:
- Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS
- Hits that 800 mark used and the 24mm width is fantastic for waterfalls. The constant f4 is plenty for daylight shots and it has incredible stabilization!
- Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Sony E
- Only 575g! This thing is basically the ultimate travel lens and you can grab it new for under 700 bucks right now. Keep an eye on Used Photo Pro instead of just the big guys. Their grading is super conservative so even a Good looks mint. Also, check those Amazon Warehouse deals for Used-Like New items, sometimes its just a damaged box and saves you like 15 percent!
Like someone mentioned, Greentoe is a solid bet for new gear, but for hiking i prefer focusing on the weight-to-performance ratio. for an iceland trip, weight is king. check these alternatives out:
- Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary Sony E is only 470g. compared to the 835g of the Art version, your neck will thank you on long hikes. the optical formula is very sharp and i have no complaints about the build quality.
- Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS is often available as an open-box item at Adorama for under your budget. f/4 is a stop slower, but the 105mm reach is huge for framing distant waterfalls. check Focus Camera too. they often do coupon bundles that bypass map pricing. i was very satisfied with their shipping speed recently. the 24-105mm works well with the a7iv internal stabilization for handheld shots.
