> I’m really hoping for something with reliable autofocus for gimbal work.

Respectfully, I'd consider another option. Everyone's hyped on the 11mm, but the Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 E is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and super light for gimbals. Tbh, if you want more versatility, look for a used Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD. It’s f/2.8 across the zoom and covers your whole 11-20mm range. Samyang is the budget king, but Tamron is better for actual cinematography. gl!

> I’m really hoping for something with reliable autofocus for gimbal work.

Respectfully, I'd consider another option. Everyone's hyped on the 11mm, but the Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 E is SIGNIFICANTLY cheaper and super light for gimbals. Tbh, if you want more versatility, look for a used Tamron 11-20mm f/2.8 Di III-A RXD. It’s f/2.8 across the zoom and covers your whole 11-20mm range. Samyang is the budget king, but Tamron is better for actual cinematography. gl!

Ok so, I feel u on the wide-angle struggle with Super 35.

1. Sony E 11mm f/1.8: Best for interiors. It's super wide, light for gimbals, and the AF is basically perfect.
2. Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary: Sharp in low light, but heavy and honestly isnt wide enough for what you need.

Go with the Sony... its around $498 and reallyyy the best value pick for gimbal work. Good luck!

Im 100% with Steven on the internal zoom thing, its such a relief not having to re-balance the gimbal every time you adjust the focal length. Late to the party but Ive been using the older Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS for quite a while now and Im still super satisfied. It has built-in stabilization which works well with the FX30, and you can pick them up used for a great price. No complaints about the sharpness or reliability at all. Quick tip... keep an eye out for a used Sony E 15mm f/1.4 G if you want a prime. Its a bit more expensive but the autofocus is way more reliable than third-party glass on a gimbal. Since its native, the eye-tracking just sticks like glue and you wont have to worry about it hunting in the middle of a shot. Definitely worth it for the peace of mind.

To add to the point above: Ive tried many wide setups over the years and honestly, for gimbal work, you really want something that keeps its balance when zooming. If you're hunting for a deal, these two are killer for the FX30:

• Sony E PZ 10-20mm f/4 G: This is the absolute dream for video. It's got internal power zoom so your gimbal won't freak out. You can usually find these used right around your $500 mark if you look hard enough.
• Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 E: If you do a lot of night shots or dark interiors, this thing is a beast. Its built like a tank and that f/1.4 aperture gives you a look the f/4 zoom just cant touch. In my experience, that power zoom on the Sony is a total game changer for DIY shooters. Being able to use the zoom lever on the FX30 body while its on a gimbal makes life so much easier... definitely worth the hunt for a used copy.

> I’m really hoping for something with reliable autofocus for gimbal work.

Curious about one thing: are you shooting high frame rates? The FX30 has a massive crop in 120p, which basically kills your wide angle. I would suggest looking at the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 E as a technical alternative, but be careful with third-party AF on gimbals. They can sometimes hunt, so make sure to check reliability tests before buying. gl!

@Reply #4 - good point! I definitely agree that the Tamron is a solid choice, but if you're gonna be doing a lot of gimbal work, you really need to watch the weight distribution. I would suggest looking at a couple other options that might fit your workflow better.

• Sigma 10-18mm F2.8 DC DN Contemporary: This is probably the best gimbal zoom for the FX30 right now. It is incredibly small and light, which makes balancing a breeze.
• Tokina atx-m 11-18mm f/2.8 E: This one is often overlooked but it is quite affordable and fits right in your budget range. One thing to be careful about is focus breathing. The FX30 has that amazing breathing compensation feature, but it basically only works with Sony lenses. If you go with the Sigma or Tokina, you wont get that digital correction. It might not matter for landscapes, but definitely check some test footage for interiors where the walls might look like they're shifting when the AF pulls focus. Just make sure you know what you're getting into with third-party glass before buying...