Im heading to Iceland in three weeks and my 18-55mm kit lens just isnt cutting it for these massive landscapes. Ive been eye-balling the Samyang 12mm f/2 because its cheap, but then I see people swearing by the Fuji 10-24mm for the versatility. Problem is, I dont know if the extra cost for the zoom is worth it since I mostly shoot at the widest setting anyway. Im based in Chicago and trying to keep this under 600 bucks if possible. Does the 10-24mm actually hold up in terms of sharpness compared to the prime, or am I just paying for the lens hood and manual focus ease?
TL;DR: Skip the zoom and grab the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary instead. Honestly, I had issues with the 10-24mm barrel distortion, it was just not as sharp as expected at the edges. The Sigma is built like a tank and handles low light way better in those moody Iceland conditions. It is a bit tighter but the image quality is crisp compared to my old zoom. Unfortunately, zooms often compromise that sweet, sharp wide-angle clarity.
Quick reply while I have a sec because Iceland is no joke. Like someone mentioned, the weather is brutal out there. I have been shooting landscapes for over a decade and honestly, trying to swap lenses in a volcanic windstorm is a nightmare you want to avoid. The Samyang is manual focus which can get annoying when your hands are frozen solid, and the 10-24mm is just a bit fragile for real arctic conditions. In my experience, you should look at the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 XF instead. It is sharp, fast enough for some aurora work, and way more robust than the stuff people talk about. It feels much better built than the plastic fantastic glass you see in bargain bins. If you really want to save money for hot springs, just stop down your kit lens and use a solid tripod; it makes a bigger difference than the gear itself. Basically, the discussion here boils down to zoom convenience versus prime speed and edge sharpness. My advice? Don't stress too much about the perfect lens specs. Just pack a blower for the sensor because you will be changing lenses at some point despite the wind. Keep your gear dry, wrap your camera in a plastic bag if it gets misty, and skip the over-expensive zoom if you aren't sure you will use the range. Save your cash, keep it simple, and focus on the light.
Honestly, if you are hitting Iceland, you really need that extra reach. I took the Fujifilm Fujinon XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS on a trip to the highlands last year and the weather sealing is nonexistent, so be careful with that spray. The sharpness is solid, but if you keep it at 10mm all day, you are basically just lugging around extra glass.
- The Samyang 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS is way sharper in the corners than the zoom, honestly.
- Manual focus on the Samyang is actually pretty intuitive for landscapes.
- Since you are in Chicago, grab the prime and use the cash for a good weather cover. Just dont drop the prime in a glacier, the manual focus ring can get gritty. If you value optics over utility, skip the zoom.
Get the Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 instead! It is super sharp, fast for northern lights, and fits your budget perfectly while feeling way more premium than the cheaper primes. Love it!