so i've been looking for a wide angle lens for my a6400 because i'm going on a hiking trip to Colorado next month and really want some big landscape shots. i saw everyone recommends the Sigma 16mm f1.4 but honestly it looks kinda bulky for a backpack and might be over my $350 budget anyway.
then i saw the Samyang 12mm f2 which is super cheap but i keep hearing it's manual focus only... or is there an AF version now? my logic was that wider is better for the mountains but i dont want to carry a brick. is there a hidden gem i missed or something...?
Over the years, I've hiked miles through the Rockies and learned the hard way that weight is your worst enemy. I'd definitely grab the Samyang AF 12mm F2.0 Sony E.
- There is an autofocus version now, and it's super snappy.
- In my experience, it's way lighter than that Sigma brick and fits your budget perfectly... basically a landscape dream.
Saw this while scrolling... if you want something reliable for the trip, look for a used Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS. Its a decent option because having optical stabilization is a huge safety net for sharp shots when youre tired or the light gets weird. It works well since you can zoom to 10mm for those massive peaks. Used copies usually hit your budget. Just feels less risky for a big trip imo.
^ This. Also, that Samyang AF 12mm f2.0 Sony E is basically the gold standard for budget hikers right now. Its super light and weather-sealed too which helps if it rains in the mountains. If you want tiny, maybe look at the Sony E 16mm f2.8 pancake lens tho the edges are a bit soft. Honestly, those extra 4mm on the Samyang make a massive difference for wide vistas... totally worth the extra bit of cash.
