To add to the point above, while the Sigma is a popular choice for its size, i actually think the Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD is the more practical pick for serious outdoor landscapes. It feels a bit more rugged for the price and the extra reach on the long end is actually really helpful when you need to tighten up a composition without swapping lenses.

• Constant f/2.8 aperture handles those low-light blue hour shots much better than the slower f/4 Sony zoom.
• Its weather sealing is quite robust, which addresses the concerns about dust and moisture mentioned earlier in the thread.
• Image quality stays very consistent across the zoom range, especially in the corners where it really counts for wide shots. Basically, you get a more robust build than the Sigma without paying the massive premium for some of the high-end Sony glass. If you really want to save money and dont mind a fixed focal length, the Sony E 11mm f/1.8 is also a beast for night skies and sharp corners, tho it obviously lacks the flexibility of a zoom. Honestly just depends on if you need the zoom range or if youre okay with moving your feet to get the framing right.

For landscape photography, you'll want a wide-angle lens that allows you to capture expansive scenes while maintaining sharpness and good low-light performance. Here are a few highly recommended Sony E-mount lenses that would be excellent choices for your a6700:

1. Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS - This ultra-wide zoom lens offers a focal range of 10-18mm (15-27mm full-frame equivalent), making it perfect for capturing wide, sweeping landscapes. It has excellent sharpness, minimal distortion, and built-in Optical SteadyShot (OSS) for improved low-light performance.

2. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary - This prime lens provides a wide focal length of 16mm (24mm full-frame equivalent) and a fast f/1.4 aperture, which is fantastic for low-light situations and creating a shallow depth of field when needed. It delivers exceptional sharpness and beautiful bokeh.

3. Sony Vario-Tessar T* E 16-70mm f/4 ZA OSS - While not as wide as the other options, this versatile zoom lens covers a range of 16-70mm (24-105mm full-frame equivalent), giving you more flexibility in your compositions. It has Carl Zeiss optics, ensuring excellent sharpness and color rendition, and features OSS for improved low-light performance.

4. Rokinon 12mm f/2.0 NCS CS - This affordable prime lens offers a very wide 12mm focal length (18mm full-frame equivalent) and a fast f/2.0 aperture. It's known for its excellent sharpness, minimal distortion, and good low-light capabilities, making it a popular choice among landscape photographers on a budget.

When choosing a lens, consider your personal preferences and shooting style. If you prefer the versatility of a zoom lens, the Sony 10-18mm or 16-70mm would be great options. If you prefer the simplicity and often superior optics of prime lenses, the Sigma 16mm or Rokinon 12mm are excellent choices.

Remember to invest in a good quality circular polarizing filter to help reduce glare, enhance colors, and improve contrast in your landscape shots. Happy shooting with your new setup!

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

Like someone mentioned, that Sigma is technically impressive on the charts, but unfortunately my copy had some build issues that really let me down. I am a total nerd for tight tolerances and it just didn't feel as solid as I expected for outdoor work.

• the weather sealing gasket felt way too thin for actual rain
• had some annoying mount wiggle after just a few weeks
• internal dust appeared way faster than it should have Quick reply while I have a sec... but yeah, definitely prioritize the construction. Specs and lab data are cool but they dont mean much if the lens feels flimsy in the field. Reliability is everything for landscapes tbh.

Sigma 10-18mm f/2.8 DC DN Art lens is a great choice.