What is the absolute best wide angle lens for landscape work on an L-mount body right now? Im leaving for a photo trip to the Dolomites next Friday so I am in a huge rush to get this ordered. Ive been looking at the Sigma 14-24mm because everyone says its a beast for the price but then I see people swearing by the Leica 16-35mm Vario-Elmar-SL. Is the Leica glass actually worth the massive price jump for static landscapes? I have about $2500 to spend but I dont want to waste money if the Sigma is just as sharp. Really need to make a decision by tonight...
Jumping in here... unfortunately, I had some real issues with that heavy Sigma zoom when I was out in the Alps last year. It’s a bit of a letdown when you realize how much that bulbous front element limits you. Not being able to just screw on a circular polarizer without a massive, heavy adapter system really frustrated me. Honestly, it was not as good as expected for field work where every ounce counts when you are climbing. If you want to stay within budget and keep things light, I’d look at these:
- Panasonic Lumix S PRO 16-35mm f/4
- This is what I swapped to. It is way more balanced and the 77mm threads are a lifesaver for filters.
- Sigma 20mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary
- Surprisingly punchy and way easier to pack. The Leica glass is stunning but that price jump is just so steep for marginal gains. Good luck with the trip tho, youll love the Dolomites!
Saw this thread today and yeah... i totally agree about the filter issue mentioned above. As someone whos always worried about breaking expensive gear, those huge bulbous lenses really stress me out. You might want to consider the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for your trip. Its way lighter and uses normal 72mm screw-in filters, so you dont have to carry a giant mounting system up a mountain. Plus, its way cheaper which leaves you money for a solid tripod like the Peak Design Travel Tripod Carbon Fiber. Quick tip before you go... definitely double check that your cameras firmware is updated for whichever lens you pick. Sometimes the new glass needs a quick software tweak to play nice with the body. Better to find out now than when youre standing in front of a beautiful sunrise in Italy!
Honestly, if youre heading to the Dolomites next week, you gotta go with the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount. I have spent hundreds of hours pixel peeping files from both and the technical performance of that Sigma glass is absolutely insane! It uses three aspherical lenses and a bunch of low-dispersion elements that basically eliminate chromatic aberration. Its freaking sharp edge-to-edge even at f/2.8. Seriously. The Leica Super-Vario-Elmar-SL 16-35mm f/3.5-4.5 ASPH is a masterpiece for sure, but youre paying a massive premium for the badge and maybe slightly better weather sealing. For static landscapes on a tripod? You wont notice the difference in resolution. Plus, having that extra 2mm on the wide end at 14mm makes a huge difference when youre standing at the base of the Tre Cime! Since your budget is $2500, grab the Sigma for around $1400. Then use the leftover cash to get a high-end filter holder like the Haida M15 Filter Holder System since the Sigma has a bulbous front element and cant take screw-ons. Youre gonna need those ND filters for the mountain lakes! Youll save a ton of money and have a more versatile kit for the trip. Go for it, you wont regret it!
