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!
I was thinking about this and it really reminds me of when my buddy tried to save a few bucks on a hidden deal for his trip to Norway. He was so happy with the discount until the lens basically bricked itself near a waterfall. It was a gray market unit with zero warranty coverage. Total nightmare. I was satisfied that my gear worked well and had no complaints, but watching him try to manual focus through the mist was just painful... it really makes you think about how much risk is worth it. Tbh I spend way too much time checking official manufacturer refurbished pages or big rental houses when they sell off stock because they actually test the gear for reliability. Its everything when you're that far from home. He was so bummed about missing those shots tho...
^ This. Also, you might want to consider how Sigma and Tamron handle weather sealing differently before you commit. Iceland is honestly brutal on gear with all that mist and wind. Tamron usually relies heavily on internal gaskets which is great for hiking, but some of the older Sigma designs had a reputation for sucking in dust or moisture if you werent careful. I would suggest checking a few things first:
- Make sure the seller is an authorized dealer so your warranty is actually valid
- Look into the specific sealing points around the mount and the zoom ring
- Check if the front element has a fluorine coating to help wipe off sea spray Just curious, how close are you planning to get to the waterfalls? Also, are you mostly shooting handheld or bringing a tripod for those long exposure landscape shots?
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.
Found this thread today and felt like I should add my two cents. In my experience over the years, the biggest danger isnt really the price, its the source. I've seen way too many people get burned by those import models or gray market units that pop up on eBay for way less. They look identical, but if a focus motor dies in the middle of your trip, you're basically carrying a paperweight since no official service center will touch it for warranty work. If you're looking for a legit deal, check the manufacturers own refurbished sections directly on their websites. It’s a bit of a DIY hunt since stock changes daily, but they usually come with a factory warranty which is huge for peace of mind. Also, I’d suggest using a price tracker like CamelCamelCamel or Keepa... it really helps you see if a sale is actually a discount or just the usual price fluctuation. Just be careful with those random coupon sites tho, most of them are basically junk. Stick to authorized dealer lists so you dont end up with a headache.
