For your situation, i would suggest checking out the Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II. yo, honestly i feel u on the crop factor struggle... it basically makes everything feel too zoomed in. i've been using this tokina for a bit and even tho i'm still kinda a beginner, the sharpness is *literally* insane compared to the kit lens. like, its actually built like a tank too. be careful tho because it's way heavier than the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR you were looking at! i guess it depends on if ur hiking far. also, make sure to check if the autofocus works on ur body, but it should be fine on a D5600. i mean, that constant f/2.8 aperture is honestly a game changer for landscapes. i found mine for under 300 bucks used. gl! 👍

Respectfully, I'd consider another option over the Tokina mentioned above. > "i would suggest checking out the Tokina AT-X 11-16mm f/2.8 PRO DX II" Honestly, I've had a different experience with that one. It's built like a tank but it's super heavy and flares like crazy when you're shooting into the light. Since you're on a D5600, you should actually stick with your first instinct and get the Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR. It's basically the best bang for your buck and you can find them used for like $200-$250 all day. The VR is highkey a lifesaver for handheld shots, and it weighs next to nothing in your bag. If you really want third party, maybe check out the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM. It's usually under $280 used and stays sharp across the range. But yeah, the Nikon AF-P is a total steal and I've been really satisfied with it. Are you planning on doing any night/astro stuff too or just daytime landscapes? cheers!

Seriously, stick with the native glass if you want something that actually lasts! The Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR is absolutely amazing for the price and the weight is a total game changer for long hikes. I've been shooting with mine for years and it still performs like day one! Honestly, hunting for used deals on sites like MPB or KEH is the way to go to stay under budget. You can usually find a mint condition copy for way under $300 and its way safer than risking a random third-party lens that might have focus motor issues on your D5600. Love how sharp it stays even wide open! Just get the Nikon and dont look back, it's such a fantastic value for landscapes... you wont regret having that VR for handheld shots either!

I totally get the excitement of jumping into landscape photography! For real performance on a budget, you should definitely look at some used options that punch way above their weight class. I've used a bunch of these and the difference in image quality can be staggering when you find a good copy. Check these out:

• Tamron 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5 Di II VC HLD
• This is my favorite for DX because the HLD motor is fast and the vibration compensation is amazing for low light.
• Tokina AT-X 11-20mm f/2.8 PRO DX
• If you ever want to try star photos, that f/2.8 is fantastic and it is much sharper than the older 11-16 version tho.
• Sigma 8-16mm f/4.5-5.6 DC HSM
• This one is crazy wide and creates such a unique look for mountains! Dont be afraid to buy used. You can get professional level glass for under 300 bucks if you time it right. It is totally worth it to get that extra sharpness... you are gonna love the results! Just shout if you need more help picking between them.

^ This. Also, Edgarwag is spot on regarding the autofocus compatibility. I just saw this thread and it reminded me of a pretty disappointing experience I had recently trying to take a DIY approach to save some cash. I bought a damaged wide-angle lens with the intention of repairing the mount and internal barrel myself. Unfortunately, the process was way more complicated than I anticipated. I spent several days meticulously disassembling the unit. It was a mess. The internal alignment was never quite right afterward. Honestly, the results were just not as good as expected. I ended up with significant blurring on the left side of all my landscape shots. It was basically a failed experiment that cost me more in parts and time than if I had just bought a functional used lens from the start. I learned the hard way that precision optics aren't the best place for amateur repairs. It is definitely worth the extra money to ensure you are getting a lens that hasn't been tampered with.

^ This. Also, before I jump in with my two cents, are you planning on shooting mostly handheld or do you usually carry a tripod? That really changes which features you should prioritize for your D5600! If you're looking for the best performance-to-price ratio, these two are the clear winners in my book:

• Nikon AF-P DX NIKKOR 10-20mm f/4.5-5.6G VR

This lens is fantastic because it's specifically designed for your camera's AF-P system. The weight is amazing for long days outside, and the VR is a total lifesaver if you don't want to carry a tripod. It's easily the most practical choice for most people.

• Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM

I love the build quality here! It feels much more professional and the constant f/3.5 aperture is great for consistency. It's quite a bit heavier tho, and you need to ensure the HSM motor plays nice with your body before buying. Both are amazing options for landscapes, but they serve different styles of shooting... let me know your thoughts on the tripod thing!

Since youre on a D5600, you really need to be careful about which older lenses you pick up because some wont autofocus on your body. I would suggest looking at the Sigma 10-20mm f/3.5 EX DC HSM for a more robust build. Its got a solid metal mount and feels much more substantial than the entry-level Nikon options... basically it can take a bit more of a beating if youre out hiking. Make sure to test any used copy for decentering before you buy it. Its a common problem with wide zooms where one side of the image ends up blurrier than the other because an internal element is slightly tilted. I always tell people to shoot a flat brick wall or a distant treeline to check this. If you see a major difference between the left and right edges, just walk away from that specific copy. For landscapes, you might also want to look into the Nikon AF-S DX NIKKOR 10-24mm f/3.5-4.5G ED. Its usually a bit more expensive but the reliability of first-party AF-S motors is generally better over the long haul compared to older third-party tech. Just watch out for the zoom creep on well-used copies tho... it can get annoying if youre pointing the camera up or down on a tripod.

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖

Ugh, I totally feel the struggle with finding good wide glass. I went through a phase where I tried to save money on older used lenses and honestly it was kind of a letdown. I picked up a cheap Sigma 10-20mm f/4-5.6 EX DC HSM a few months back and the field curvature was just... bad. One side of my frames was always blurry while the other was sharp. Super disappointing when you hike miles for a shot and it is basically ruined by decentering. If you can handle manual focus, these usually have much better optics for the price:

• Samyang 10mm f/2.8 ED AS NCS CS for Nikon. Seriously sharp and much better than the cheap zoom equivalents in my experience.
• Rokinon 16mm f/2.0 ED AS UMC CS for Nikon DX. Its a bit heavy but that f/2.0 aperture is a lifesaver for astro if you ever want to try that.
• Just really watch out for quality control issues on older third-party zooms, they can be a real gamble. It is so frustrating when the gear doesn't keep up with your vision, but dont give up on it! Just keep testing those corners when you get a new lens home...

Seconding the recommendation above! Honestly, looking at third-party glass is basically the best way to save cash while getting amazing results. When I first got my DX camera, I was totally obsessed with finding the sharpest lens for my budget. I spent forever comparing distortion specs cuz I wanted those crisp edges for my mountain shots!! Honestly, even the cheaper plastic-mount lenses from Nikon or Sigma are FANTASTIC if you stop them down to f/5.6 or f/8. To give you better advice tho, I've got a couple questions: 1. Are you planning to shoot at night (like the Milky Way), or just daytime landscapes?
2. Do you already have a sturdy tripod, or is that part of the $300 budget too? Aperture matters way more for stars, so knowing that would highkey change my recommendation. plus, a tripod lets you use slower lenses easily! anyway, good luck with the search! gl!