I ended up going with the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary for around $549 and it's been a total win for my wallet. Similar situation here - I went through this exact struggle last year! I was lowkey obsessed with getting the sharpest glass for my Sony FX30 but reallyyy didn't wanna spend over a grand. I actually tried the Tamron first but it felt sooo front-heavy on my smaller gimbal. Idk if it fits your needs, but for me, the tiny size is just PERFECT for run-and-gun. Even without OSS, the IBIS on the bodies (especially that Sony Alpha 6700 already mentioned) handles my shaky hands well enough. It’s not "perfect" maybe? But for the price, I'm super satisfied with the results. Just sharing my journey thru the gear hunt! Cheers.

In my experience, the Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is the play. It’s usually around $699, which is a steal. I’ve used it for years and while it’s a bit chunky, the VC is literal gold for handheld video on the FX30. ur saving tons of cash and that extra reach is basically a cheat code for event photography too. gl!

I totally agree that the weight and gimbal balance are huge when you are swapping between your two bodies all day. I have been doing some market research on the current lens lineups and honestly, there is a newer technical option that people often miss because it is technically categorized as a full-frame lens, but it fits this setup perfectly.

• Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G is incredibly compact and weighs about the same as most crop lenses.
• Because it is a native G series lens, it supports the Focus Breathing Compensation on the FX30 perfectly, which third-party glass usually cannot do.
• It uses newer linear motors that basically make the autofocus silent and super fast for your video work. I am still a bit of a beginner when it comes to analyzing all these technical charts, but it seems like the market is shifting toward these smaller f/2.8 zooms for hybrid shooters. Is the 16-25mm range enough for your event coverage? Tbh, if you can live without that extra reach, the technical integration with your specific cameras is pretty hard to beat compared to other brands. Has anyone seen a side-by-side comparison of the stabilization metadata between these yet???

yo, i feel u on this! i'm still kinda new to the hybrid game myself, but i've been using a similar setup. honestly, i'm a pretty cautious shooter cuz i highkey hate shaky footage ruinning a shot. Here's what I recommend after looking into it: 1. The Sony E 16-55mm f/2.8 G is super light, but man, no OSS makes me nervous for fast event work.
2. The Tamron 17-70mm f/2.8 Di III-A VC RXD is basically my go-to recommendation. yeah, it's kinda bulky, but that extra reach and built-in stabilization is a life saver if your hands aren't perfectly steady. since both the Sony Alpha 6700 and Sony FX30 have IBIS, you might be okay with the Sony lens, but i'd personally play it safe with the Tamron. just be careful and double check if ur gimbal can actually handle the front-heavy balance before buying! gl!

Subbing for updates

Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!

Honestly, ur in a great spot with those bodies, but I gotta ask one thing before you commit. Are you the type of shooter who likes to DIY ur own lens maintenance and firmware updates, or do you want a set-it-and-forget-it setup for professional work? Knowing how much you want to mess with settings in software versus just shooting is HUGE.

• Honestly, just stick with the Sony brand. You can't go wrong with first-party glass because the firmware integration is ALWAYS going to be the most stable for long-term DIY use and metadata accuracy.
• If you want more control, look into any of the third-party manufacturers that offer a dedicated USB console or dock. It lets you calibrate the focus behavior and update the lens yourself without ever needing to ship ur gear to a service center.
• Focus on something with internal zooming if you can find it. It makes cleaning and DIY maintenance way easier since there are fewer moving parts to collect dust during travel vlogs, which is basically a necessity for field work. Basically, if you want that professional standard, stick to the main brands and youll be fine, right?