Do you plan on using a tripod for these shots?

• Try the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 AF Fuji X. Im happy with the center sharpness; it works well for high resolution landscapes.

Basically, those numbers are just the focal length. The smaller the number, the wider the view you get. Since you are hitting up Glacier, you definitely want something around 10mm to 12mm to capture those massive vistas. I would suggest checking out the Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Fuji X. Its super compact, which is a life saver when hiking, and it stays right around your $700 budget if you shop around. Just a heads up tho, be careful when you go super wide. If you arent careful, the mountains can actually look smaller and further away than they really are because the lens pushes everything back. You might want to consider finding a cool rock or tree in the foreground to give the photo some scale. Also, since you're gonna be near water, make sure to look into a polarizing filter. It cuts the glare on the lakes so you can see the colored rocks under the water... honestly a game changer for Glacier. If you want to save some cash, the Samyang 12mm f/2.0 AF Fuji X is a fantastic prime lens. It doesnt zoom, but it is simple, light, and very sharp for the price. Just keep in mind that with wide lenses, you gotta watch out for your own feet getting in the shot sometimes lol. Seriously, happens to the best of us when we're staring at the scenery.

Regarding what #4 said about the unpredictable weather, I'd be really careful about jumping into the third-party market without checking for weather sealing first. Honestly, while brands like Viltrox or Samyang offer great value, if youre out in the spray at Avalanche Lake or caught in a sudden downpour, you might regret not having a native Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f4 R OIS WR or something similar from the XF line. I would suggest staying away from the super cheap manual focus lenses you see online for like 100 bucks. They sound like a steal, but for a beginner, trying to nail focus on a mountain range while hiking is just gonna lead to blurry shots and frustration. Some brands have stepped up their game lately, but Fuji lenses still have that aperture ring that makes shooting way more intuitive once you get the hang of it. Just make sure whatever you pick has that WR badge if youre doing serious hiking, otherwise you might end up with a very expensive paperweight after your first rainy day in the park.

@Reply #1 - good point! Wide is basically required for those big vistas.

• Will you be hiking in rain?
• Need weather sealing? Reliability is vital when youre deep in the mountains...

If you want reliability without burning your entire budget, look for a used Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R. It is not a zoom, but the optical quality is leagues ahead of the budget glass and you can find them cheap on the used market if you are patient.

• Check local listings instead of big stores
• Always inspect the glass under a bright LED light
• Bring a microfiber cloth to every hike I have used mine for years across the Rockies and it has never let me down during a storm. Honestly though, have you guys ever tried making your own rain covers with a gallon ziplock and some gaffer tape? I saved my camera once during a flash flood in Utah by just duct taping a trash bag around the mount. Works better than those expensive branded covers, but yeah, just make sure you keep the lens dry anyway.

Just saw this thread. ^ This. Also, before narrowing things down, are you looking for a zoom lens or would you be comfortable with a prime lens that has a fixed focal length? A zoom is generally more versatile for travel because you can adjust the frame without moving, but primes tend to be more durable. Another factor is the weather. Glacier can be unpredictable, so do you require full weather sealing? Knowing how much you value gear reliability in harsh environments would help quite a bit since some cheaper options arent really built for rain or heavy dust.