Ugh okay so I am super stressed because I just bought a Lumix S5II because I wanted to take nicer photos of my hiking trips around the Pacific Northwest and I feel like I might have made a huge mistake. I honestly have no idea what Im doing with lenses and the one that came in the kit just doesnt capture the whole mountain when I stand at the bottom looking up. It feels like I need something way wider but looking online is just making my head spin with all these numbers and stuff. I have maybe 800 dollars left to spend but I really dont want to waste it on something that doesnt fit or will break immediately. I need something for landscapes obviously but I just want it to be easy to use because Im not a pro and honestly the menus on this camera are already confusing enough as it is. Is there a specific lens that works for total beginners that wont cost me a fortune? I have a trip coming up in about three weeks and Im so worried I wont have the right gear by then. Does anyone know what I should get for a wide-angle shot that actually looks like what I see with my eyes...
Coming back to this, I saw the first response and yeah, dont panic. You made a solid choice with the body. Honestly, I had issues with some of the cheaper third-party adapters in the past, so I stick to native L-mount glass to keep things simple. If you want that massive view, you have a few ways to go for under 800 bucks.
- Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is probably your best bet. It is sharp and fits that budget if you find it used or on sale. The constant aperture is nice, but it feels a bit front heavy.
- Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is the kit lens for a lot of people, but if you dont have it, grab one used for like 300 bucks. It is not as wide as the others, but honestly, its super sharp for hiking.
- Tamron 20-40mm f/2.8 Di III VXD is another option. It is weirdly compact and light, which is amazing when you are trekking, but sometimes the range feels a bit short for big mountain shots. Personally, the Sigma is the one I actually trust for those PNW trips because it handles the weather pretty well. Just dont overthink the numbers too much, the lower the first number, the wider the shot. You are gonna be fine for your trip, just get out there and start shooting!
Dont panic, you definitely didnt make a mistake with the S5II, it is a beast for landscapes. For wide shots where you need to fit the whole mountain, you should look into the Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 Macro. Its honestly perfect for hiking because it is super light and wont weigh your pack down. Plus, it usually sits right around your budget if you find a sale or grab a clean used copy. Just be careful with filters because the front element is a bit bulbous, so make sure to get a decent cap on it when you're scrambling over rocks. It is way wider than your kit lens and super easy to use, just zoom and shoot. You will be set for your PNW trip for sure.
Seconded!
