So I finally pulled the trigger and got a used Sony A7C last month and I'm loving the full frame life but man lenses are pricey compared to my old crop sensor gear. I have a big trip coming up to Utah in like three weeks and I really need a decent wide angle for all those landscape shots in Zion but I'm basically broke after buying the body. I've been scouring YouTube and Reddit and I think I've narrowed it down to two or maybe three choices that wont break the bank.
First one is the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 which I can find for like $250 used. It has great reviews for sharpness but I've heard the autofocus is kinda loud and slow which might be annoying? Then there's the Samyang 18mm f/2.8 AF Tiny series. Its super small which would be great for the long hikes I have planned and it is even wider than the Tamron which is a plus for those canyon views. I also saw a Viltrox 20mm f/1.8 but that one looks huge and heavy and I'm trying to pack light. My budget is strictly under $350 since I still need to pay for gas and camping fees. I mostly care about image quality and weight over video features. Between the Tamron and the Samyang which one do you guys think is the better buy for a hobbyist on a budget who needs something reliable for a big trip?
I've spent years lugging gear through Zion and honestly every gram counts when you're hiking up to Angels Landing. In my experience, the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE is the winner for a setup like the A7C. I remember one trip where I brought a heavy 20mm prime and regretted it by mile four... that extra 2mm of width sounds small but in those narrow canyons it makes a massive difference for getting the scale of the walls. Tbh the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 is definitely sharper in the corners, but the AF motor is kinda clunky and it extends when focusing which can be a bit annoying in dusty spots. If you're mostly doing landscapes, the Samyang is plenty sharp enough once you stop it down to f/8. Its basically weightless in your pack too. Over the years I've realized that the lens you actually want to carry is always the better buy for these kinds of trips.
Ngl I had a rough time with that Samyang 18mm. Felt plasticky and the corners were mushy, unfortunately. If youre okay with slightly less wide, the Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8 FE is a total hidden gem. Its tiny and way better than the f1.8 brick you saw earlier.
- Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2
- Samyang AF 24mm f/2.8 FE The Tamron is slow but the image quality is stellar for landscapes.
Building on the earlier suggestion about checking for lens decentering, I had a similar experience when I was setting up for a trip to Arches. I found a deal on a wide prime that had a bit of a lazy focus motor and some soft corners. Rather than returning it, I went down a rabbit hole of DIY lens calibration to get it ready for my Sony Alpha A7C. What I learned from that project:
- Decentering tests using star charts revealed a slight tilt in the rear element.
- Small copper foil shims under the mount plate can actually fix alignment errors.
- Cleaning the internal contacts with isopropyl alcohol usually solves AF hunting. I was really happy with the result. My gear feels like it was custom-tuned for my body now. It was satisfying to take a piece of glass that others might have tossed and turn it into a performer that rivals my Sony FE 24mm F1.4 GM in sharpness. If you get a dud used copy, dont panic... sometimes a little technical TLC is all it needs to get those crisp Utah horizons.
Saw this earlier but just now responding. You should be careful with some of those ultra-budget Samyang primes as their quality control can be a bit hit or miss regarding lens decentering. Since you are doing landscapes in a dusty environment like Utah, I would suggest looking at technical reviews on sites like OpticalLimits or Dustin Abbott before you commit to a used copy. Specifically, you might want to consider these two options:
- Samyang AF 24mm f/1.8 FE: This is a significant step up from the 18mm version. It has a dedicated astro-focus button that automatically sets the lens to infinity, which is incredibly reliable for shooting the stars in Zion. It also features basic weather sealing.
- Rokinon 14mm f/2.8 AF Sony E: If you really want that massive scale for the canyon walls, this is the budget king. It is heavier than the others but the 114-degree field of view is technically superior for tight spaces like the Narrows. Make sure to verify the focus accuracy before your return window closes. Reliability is key when you are miles away from the car on a trail, and the build quality on these can vary between batches. The Samyang 24mm f1.8 is definitely the most technically sound of the tiny series lenses, tho.
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Same setup here, love it
