Ive been shooting on my a6000 for like four years now mostly with the Sigma 30mm prime so I know my way around the e-mount system but I finally need a decent zoom for a trip to Glacier next month. My logic was to grab the Sony 18-105mm f4 since I want that constant aperture but then I started reading about the soft corners and now Im second guessing everything. I looked at the Sigma 18-50mm too but my body doesnt have IBIS so no stabilization is kinda scary for handheld shots. Im trying to keep this under $450-500 used if I can. Is there a hidden gem I missed that isnt just the kit lens...
I've been shooting on the a6000 series since it basically launched, and honestly, I went through the same exact headache when planning a big hiking trip a few years back. Everyone raves about the constant aperture on that 18-105, but for landscape work in places like Glacier, you're mostly stopped down to f/5.6 or f/8 anyway. Picking up the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS was the best move I made. It's been my main travel lens for years and I'm still super happy with the results every time I pull the files onto my desktop. It doesnt have that constant f4, but the sharpness is way better in the corners compared to those older power zooms. That OSS in the lens is a lifesaver since you're on the a6000 with no IBIS. Last time I was at Logan Pass at sunset, I was shooting handheld at like 1/15th of a second and the shots came out crisp. Plus, that extra reach at 135mm is huge for spotting wildlife from the road without needing a massive telephoto. You can find these used for around $350-400 all day, which leaves you extra cash for a decent circular polarizer. It's really the sweet spot for travel if you don't want to carry three different primes... totally worth looking into.
In my experience, you should ditch the power zoom idea and grab a used Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS. Ive used one for years and it hits that sweet spot of size and quality for hiking.
- Constant f/4 aperture
- Built-in stabilization for your a6000
- Compact enough for a pack Found mine used for $380 last year. Its way better than the 18-105 for landscapes and staying under budget.
TL;DR: Constant f4 isnt always the dream it sounds like. I had issues with the one I picked up for a mountain trip last year. Honestly, it was a huge letdown... super soft and just felt bulky for no reason. I expected way better quality but the corners were a mess. I learned pretty fast that having more range is better than a fixed aperture when youre actually out hiking.
Been thinking about your setup since I saw this earlier. If you are worried about stabilization on that a6000, have you considered if you are mostly shooting stills or trying to grab video clips too? That makes a massive difference for lens choice. Personally, I have been very satisfied with the Sony E 18-135mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS for travel because the OSS is actually quite robust and the focal range is just perfect for those massive landscapes. It is way lighter than the 18-105 and I have zero complaints about the sharpness across the frame. If you want something a bit more premium, the Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS is a solid performer with great color rendition, though it is slightly less reach. The Sigma 18-50mm is undeniably sharp, but without stabilization, you really have to watch your shutter speeds. Let me know what your subject matter looks like, and I can tell you which one will give you the most reliable hit rate for those mountain shots.
