03/05/2026 9:37 am
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APS-C E-mount Lens
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Gotta film in this super cramped studio in NYC next week and my current glass just isnt wide enough for the FX30 sensor. I looked at the Sony 11mm but people say the distortion is crazy for faces, and the Sigma 16mm might not be wide enough for the space... what should I actually get for under $500?
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03/05/2026 10:08 am
I absolutely suggest looking into the Samyang AF 12mm f/2.0 E for your FX30! It is such a fantastic choice because it hits that sweet spot between the 11mm and 16mm you mentioned. While the Sony 11mm can get a bit wild with the barrel distortion, this Samyang lens is incredibly well-behaved for architectural lines and studio walls. It is a very safe and reliable piece of glass that I trust completely for professional work. The best part is definitely the price point! You can usually find it brand new for well under $400, which leaves you extra cash for lighting or sound gear. It is amazing how sharp the image stays even when shooting wide open at f/2.0. If youre worried about those tight NYC spaces, the 12mm focal length provides a much wider field of view than the Sigma 16mm without looking like a GoPro. Truly a solid investment for the money... definitely worth a look!
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03/05/2026 9:37 am
ngl I have been really happy with the Viltrox AF 13mm f/1.4 STM Sony E-Mount lately. It handles those tight studio shots perfectly without making faces look too distorted like the ultra-wide stuff does. I've used it on several FX30 gigs and it works well every time. It fits right under your budget too... let me know if you need more tips for that setup!
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03/05/2026 10:42 am
Just curious, are you gonna need autofocus for these shots or is the camera mostly staying on a tripod? If you can handle manual focus, it really opens up some better options for those tight NYC spaces. Since you want to stay under $500, here are a couple practical paths:
- Venus Laowa 9mm f/2.8 Zero-D Sony E is basically the king of low distortion. It is manual focus, but since it is so wide, almost everything stays sharp anyway. It is way wider than the 11mm but keeps the walls looking straight.
- Look for a used Sony E 10-18mm f/4 OSS. You can usually find them for $350 or so. It gives you some breathing room to zoom in or out when you literally cant move the tripod back any further. The f/4 aperture on the Sony zoom is a bit slow, but if you have decent studio lights, the FX30 sensor handles it fine. Let me know about the AF situation tho, it helps narrow it down.
