Ive been shooting with my X-S20 for a few months now, mostly primes, but Im heading to the Alps in July and really need something wider for landscape shots. My budget is around 800 bucks. I looked at the Samyang 12mm, but keep hearing mixed things about the corners. Is there anything sharper that doesnt break the bank?
Quick reply, honestly avoid the cheap stuff. I had issues with the Fujifilm XF 10-24mm f/4 R OIS WR build, but the Fujifilm XF 8-16mm f/2.8 R LM WR is just way safer for your trip.
In my experience, corners matter way more for landscapes than you think. I used the Fujifilm XF 14mm f/2.8 R for years in the Rockies and it is razor sharp edge-to-edge. It is way more reliable than those cheap manual focus wide angles. Just keep your aperture around f/8 for the best depth of field. Honestly, don't settle for soft edges when you are spending that much time hiking.
Honestly, I totally get why you are stressed about the corners on that other lens. I took a cheaper prime to the mountains once and it drove me crazy seeing the blurriness at the edges when I was trying to capture the peaks. Since you have around 800 bucks, you are in a sweet spot where you can get something that is actually reliable and sharp without needing a bank loan. My setup has been super solid for landscape stuff. Here is what I usually look for when shopping for these trips:
- Weather resistance is huge because mountain weather is unpredictable as heck.
- Manual focus is usually fine for landscapes since you are just setting it to infinity anyway.
- Autofocus is a nice bonus if you want to use the lens for vlogging or street stuff too. I have been really satisfied with how my current wide glass handles the light in the Alps. You definitely want something that retains contrast when the sun is hitting those snowy slopes. If you stick to the native stuff, you are gonna be much happier with the build quality and how it talks to the sensor. Just grab something that feels sturdy and dont overthink the specs too much. You are gonna get some epic shots regardless!
Just catching up on this thread now. Honestly, corner sharpness is a massive deal when you are trying to capture those mountain ranges, and I totally get why you are being picky about it. I have been through a few different setups, and sometimes that extra bit of glass quality really pays off for detail-heavy shots. Before you pull the trigger on anything, I have a couple of questions that might help narrow it down:
- Do you prioritize having autofocus for those quick alpine shots, or are you comfortable sticking with a manual focus lens for landscapes?
- Are you looking for a fixed prime lens, or do you actually prefer the versatility of a zoom range for your hiking trips? Knowing those bits will help figure out what fits best without wasting your cash.
