honestly im so done with this lumix 20-60mm kit lens. i thought it would be fine for my hiking trip to Zion next week but I just did some test shots and the edges are just mushy garbage. like i spent all this money on a full frame setup and my iphone honestly looks sharper in the corners sometimes its just so demoralizing. i need to grab a sigma lens before i leave on tuesday but im totally lost on which one is the best value for the money.
here is what im dealing with:
- budget is around 900 bucks max maybe a tiny bit more if its worth it
- must be sharp edge to edge for big prints
- i need to carry it for 10+ miles a day so nothing crazy heavy like a brick
- l-mount for my s5
im looking at the 16-28mm contemporary since its light and fits the budget but will i regret not getting the 14-24mm art? the art is way over my budget anyway unless i find a crazy used deal but then the weight is a huge issue for the canyon. is there a prime i should get instead like the 20mm or 24mm i-series? i just want something that wont make me regret taking the shot when i get home and see it on a big screen...
Look, if youre hiking Zion, you definitely dont want that Art lens. Its 795g and uses a bulbous front element which makes filters a total nightmare for landscape work. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary instead. It stays under your 900 dollar limit and weighs only 450g, so your back wont hate you after 10 miles. Make sure to check the corners at f/8 tho, as there is some minor vignetting you might want to consider correcting in post. A few technical points to keep in mind:
- Internal zoom mechanism keeps the balance perfect on your S5
- Uses 72mm filters so you dont need a massive expensive holder system
- Edge sharpness is significantly better than that 20-60mm kit lens Be careful with the 14-24mm used market because some of those older units have centering issues. Honestly, the 16-28mm is the safer bet for a hiking setup where weight is everything.
You are gonna have such an amazing time in Zion! I totally feel your pain with that kit lens... once you see those soft corners you just cant unsee them and it really ruins the vibe of a big landscape print. Since youre doing huge hikes and want to keep the budget tight, you should seriously check out the Sigma 24mm f2 DG DN Contemporary. I love this lens because it is part of that I-series with the all-metal build, so it feels super premium but weighs almost nothing. The sharpness is honestly incredible even at the edges, which is exactly what you need for those vast canyon shots. It is way under your 900 dollar limit, which is awesome because you can use the extra cash for a high-quality circular polarizer to make those red rocks really pop against the blue sky! If you want something even wider for the Narrows or those tight canyon spots, the Sigma 17mm f4 DG DN Contemporary is a total sleeper hit. It is insanely small—basically a pancake lens—and the edge-to-edge performance is fantastic for such a tiny piece of glass. Hiking 10 miles with that on an S5 feels like you arent even carrying a full frame setup. Dont feel like you have to drop a grand to get pro results, these smaller primes are honestly perfect for what you are doing. Have a blast, it is gonna be life-changing!
Seconded!
Re: "You are gonna have such an amazing time..." - honestly, skip the zoom debate. If you're doing serious landscape work for big prints, you need a prime. I've hiked miles with heavy glass and you really start to feel every ounce after a while. If you want something that performs better than any zoom I've used, go for the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. It is razor sharp across the frame and the build quality is insane for the price point. If 35mm feels too tight for Zion, grab the Sigma 24mm f/3.5 DG DN Contemporary. It is tiny, basically weighs nothing, and is incredibly sharp. I stopped carrying big zooms years ago because they just collect dust compared to these i-series primes. Don't worry about the zoom flexibility, just move your feet. You'll thank yourself when you're 8 miles in and still feel good enough to actually enjoy the view.
To add to the point above: the 16-28mm is absolutely a killer choice, but if you are really worried about those 10-mile hikes, you should seriously check out the I-series primes. I totally agree that the Art lens is way too much bulk for Zion. Honestly, lugging that thing up to Angels Landing sounds like a total nightmare. If you want the absolute sharpest edges for big prints, the Sigma 20mm f2 DG DN Contemporary I-series is a total gem. Its super tiny, all metal, and the optical quality is just fantastic. It hits way above its weight class and feels amazing in the hand. Another option if you want to save even more cash is the Sigma 24mm f3.5 DG DN Contemporary I-series. Dont let the f3.5 fool you, for landscape work where you are stopped down anyway, it is pin-sharp across the whole frame.
- Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- Best for versatility at $899.
- Sigma 20mm f2 DG DN Contemporary I-series
- Incredible sharpness and build for $699.
- Sigma 24mm f2 DG DN Contemporary I-series
- Great wide option for around $639. Primes are gonna give you that edge-to-edge clarity that the kit lens lacks, and they wont weigh you down. I love the 20mm because it uses standard 62mm filters which are super easy to pack compared to those giant 82mm ones. You wont regret the switch once you see those raw files on your S5!
