I just picked up a Sony a7R V and I’m trying to settle on a wide-angle lens that actually takes advantage of the 61MP sensor. I mainly shoot landscapes and city architecture, often handheld while traveling, so sharp corners and low distortion matter a lot. I’m also debating whether I really need an ultra-wide (like 14–16mm) or if something closer to 20mm makes more sense, and I’m a bit worried about crazy flare when shooting into the sun. Budget is around $800–$1,500 (open to used). What wide-angle lens would you recommend for the a7R V, and why?
Building on the earlier suggestion, I've definitely learned that the a7R V is a bit of a double-edged sword. When I first made the jump to high-res, I thought I could just keep shooting exactly how I did with my older bodies. Big mistake... I ended up with a bunch of travel shots that looked okay on the camera screen but were totally soft in the corners once I got home. It's not just about the glass being sharp, it's about how reliably the lens performs when you're moving fast and shooting handheld. A few things I would suggest thinking about:
- How much of your work is actually going to end up as large physical prints versus just sharing on social media?
- Are you planning on using a heavy filter stack for long exposures, or do you prefer keeping it light and simple while you're exploring? Ngl, the corner performance on that sensor will show every tiny flaw in the lens alignment, so I'd be really careful about buying used without a solid return policy. You kinda have to be picky when every pixel counts.
