What is the best wide-angle lens for Sony FX30 filmmaking?

Question

so i just bought the sony fx30 for my new youtube channel about cooking in my tiny brooklyn studio but i realized i have no idea how lenses work. i need a wide angle one so i can actually see my whole kitchen while im standing close to the camera. i was looking at the sony 11mm one because the number is small so that means its wider right? but then someone told me about the sigma 16mm and now im just confused if thats wide enough for a small room. my budget is like 500 bucks max and i need to buy it by friday for my first shoot. is there a big difference between those two or am i just overthinking it...

Davidkelay · Accepted Answer

> i was looking at the sony 11mm one because the number is small so that means its wider right? Yeah, basically. Back when I lived in a tiny studio, the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Sony E was way too tight for cooking shots. Swapping to the Sony E 11mm F1.8 really saved the channel because it finally captured the whole stove. The Sigma has nicer bokeh, but the Sony is much more practical for tight spots... definitely worth the extra few bucks.

Rinmit · Answer

I compared FOV data and the Samyang AF 12mm F2.0 Sony E hits a wide 99-degree angle. Its 0.19m close-focus was vital for my recent spice rack b-roll. Fits the budget tho.

xine · Answer

To add to the point above: I spent way too much time obsessing over millimeters when I first started my food blog in a tiny kitchen. Honestly, when youre in a cramped studio, flexibility is basically everything. I remember trying to film a prep scene and I kept bumping into my own lights because the lens was just too tight... super frustrating. Few things to think about for your shoot by Friday:

Just look at a wide zoom from Tamron. Having that range is a lifesaver when you cant move the tripod back any further.

Dont get hung up on the super expensive glass. Any modern wide lens from Sony or Sigma is gonna be sharp enough for YouTube.

Buying used is the way to go if you want to stay under that 500 mark. Plenty of people sell their starter gear for cheap. Tbh, just grab a wide-angle from one of those big brands and you really cant go wrong. They all perform pretty well these days for video... just make sure it fits the mount.