So I’ve been using this old 16-50mm kit lens and honestly im just done with it. It’s so frustrating because the a6700 is such a beast of a camera and the FX30 is my baby for video work but the images I’m getting are just... flat? and soft? It makes me want to scream when I get home and see the corners of my landscape shots looking like a blurry mess. I’m just so ready to move on and get something that actually does these cameras justice. But here is the thing, I am actually super excited because I finally pulled the trigger on a three-week trip to the Pacific Northwest and I leave in exactly 18 days so the clock is ticking big time. I’m gonna be hiking through Olympic National Park and I need a wide angle that can handle the mist and the scale of those old growth forests and the coastlines. I’ve been looking at the Sony 15mm f1.4 G because the fast aperture sounds amazing for those dark forest floors but then I worry it’s not wide enough for the huge vistas. Then there’s the Viltrox 13mm which everyone says is sharp but is it gonna survive a bit of rain? I have about $850 saved up specifically for this and I really don't want to mess this up. I need something that feels premium and doesn't have that cheap plastic feel that my current gear has. I also do a ton of 4K 120p on the FX30 so it needs to keep up with the autofocus without hunting like crazy. Am I better off with a zoom like the Sigma 10-18 or should I just stick to a high quality prime and just move my feet more? Looking for something that is actually sharp corner to corner and won't give me those nasty purple fringes on the trees... what do you guys think is the best wide angle for this dual-cam setup?
Like someone mentioned, you definitely need that weather sealing for Olympic National Park. You really should consider the Sony E 10-20mm f/4 PZ G! This thing is such a fantastic lens for the FX30 because the power zoom is amazing for 4K video. Sharpness is incredible across the whole frame for your landscapes and the build quality feels totally pro. Definitely fits your budget too!
Honestly, i had issues with third party gear on rainy hikes before. The Sigma 10-18mm f2.8 DC DN Contemporary is okay but feels a bit fragile for PNW weather. Unfortunately, the Viltrox 13mm f1.4 AF lacks that real sealing you need. I really recommend the Sony E 15mm f1.4 G instead.
Yep been there done that. Can confirm everything said above is spot on.
No way, I literally just dealt with this yesterday. Small world.