finally getting around to buying a wide angle for my a6400 before my iceland trip next month. been looking at the samyang 12mm f2 but i heard the af on the new one is kinda wonky and i really dont want to mess with manual focus while i'm hiking in the wind. then i saw the tamron 11-20 but that's way too expensive for me right now.
- budget is like $400 absolute max
- need autofocus for sure
- mostly for landscapes and maybe some astro
- has to be light enough for a backpack
what else is out there that isnt gonna break the bank? maybe a used viltrox or something? i'm just lost with all the options honestly...
Saw this earlier and had to chime in. Agree that MTF charts tell part of the story, but real-world use is where it counts. The Viltrox 13mm f/1.4 AF Sony E joined my kit for a hiking trip last year and it's been fantastic. It fits that $400 budget and the autofocus is way more reliable than the Samyang I tried before. Honestly, Im very satisfied with how it handles harsh conditions.
Stumbled on this late. Honestly, in my experience, a used Sony E 11mm f1.8 is the winner. It's tiny. Light enough that you wont even feel it in your backpack while hiking.
- I unfortunately had issues with the one I got that had massive optical aberrations...
- Checking technical data like MTF charts really helps when you feel lost among all these budget options.
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@Reply #5 - good point! Honestly, if you're hitting the trails soon, keep it simple. I spent way too much time obsessing over specs before my own trip and realized weight is everything when you're actually out there. My personal experience:
- I grabbed a used prime that stays on my body half the time now
- saved enough cash for a better tripod, which tbh helped my landscapes way more than a fancy lens would have
- learned that packing light is the only way to not hate your life by day three Don't overthink the glass too much. Just make sure the focus is snappy so you aren't fighting it when the weather turns. You're gonna have an amazing time in Iceland regardless!
Nice, didn't know that
