What's the absolute best budget wide-angle lens for the Lumix S series right now? Im heading to Iceland in three weeks and really need something wider than the 20-60mm kit lens for those massive landscapes but I'm basically broke after buying the S5II body. I checked out the Lumix 18mm f1.8 but it's like $800 which is way over my head. People keep mentioning the Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 but some reviews say it's soft at the edges and others say it's a steal so I'm totally lost. Is there anything decent under $600 or am I just stuck with what I've got for this trip?
I've been thinking about your budget situation. The Sigma 17mm f4 DG DN Contemporary is probably your best move here. It's been my go-to for a while and I'm very satisfied with the results. This lens is built like a tank, which is what you want for a place like Iceland. No complaints about the sharpness either, and unlike some zooms, the corners stay pretty clean. While it's a prime, 17mm is a nice jump from 20mm and it's much more reliable than some cheap third-party zooms. One quick tip: use the regular lens cap instead of the magnetic one in high winds so it doesn't blow off into a canyon. It's a really solid, safe choice that won't break your bank or your back while hiking.
In my experience, the Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 Macro is your best bet under $600. I have tried many L-mount wide angles over the years and this lens is surprisingly sharp for the price point. It is more affordable than the 18mm and gives you that extra field of view youre missing with the kit. Honestly, its a perfect choice for Iceland tho.
Just catching up on this thread! If youre truly on a budget but prioritize reliability for a rugged trip, you should look into the 7Artisans 15mm f4 Wide-Angle L-Mount. This lens is fantastic because the manual construction essentially eliminates electronic points of failure in the Icelandic wind and rain. It delivers excellent edge-to-edge sharpness for the price and pairs beautifully with the S5II. Honestly though, Iceland gear prep is a whole different beast! I remember my first trip there years ago, I spent a fortune on this specific brand of thermal base layers I thought were the best. Turns out I was totally wrong and ended up freezing until I found a local shop in Reykjavik. Now I swear by these heavy wool socks I found there, they are literally life-changing and I wear them every single winter. Anyway, the 15mm is a solid, reliable bet for your landscape kit. But yeah.
Saw this earlier but just now responding! honestly just head over to youtube and search for budget l-mount wide angle lenses. there was a fantastic comparison video last week that covers all the cheap options for the s5ii! it was super direct and saved me so much research time. check reddit too... the community there is amazing for finding gear advice when youre totally broke!!
omg @Reply #4 - good point! honestly i am in the exact same boat as you right now and its driving me crazy!! i have been searching for a decent budget wide angle for my s5ii for like three months now and i still havent pulled the trigger on anything. its so frustrating because comparing the third-party stuff to the native glass is just a nightmare when youre on a budget and i just cant find an answer that feels right. i feel your pain so much tho... iceland is going to be incredible but trying to gear up without spending thousands is literally impossible right now! i keep looking at all these different brands and just getting more confused every day. i keep hoping some magic new option will just appear because i am totally stuck just like you are. its basically the biggest struggle with the l-mount system right now for us broke landscape fans!!
