Totally agree with what was said earlier! Landscape glass gets pricey fast, and heavy gear ruins a hike. If ur on a budget, you gotta look at the Samyang AF 18mm f/2.8 FE. It’s way cheaper than the Sony—around $250—and weighs almost nothing. Another solid cheap option is the Viltrox AF 20mm f/2.8 FE for like $150. Both are tiny and leave more money for the actual travel lol. 👍

> My main priority is keeping the total kit weight low while ensuring I can capture sharp landscapes and some architecture. sooo i actually went through this exact same thing last year when i hiked through Patagonia with my Sony a7C II. honestly, i made the mistake of bringing this massive Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art lens because i thought i needed the ultimate quality... HUGE mistake. basically, my back was killing me by day 3 and i was so exhausted i barely wanted to take the camera out of my bag... so disappointing cuz i missed some killer sunrise shots. anway, if ur looking for the perfect balance, i highkey recommend the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G. since your doing architecture too, the distortion is way easier to manage than on most zooms. but yeah, i guess the Tamron 17-28mm f/2.8 Di III RXD is okay if u really need that 17mm width, but i found the corners a bit soft for landscapes compared to the prime. Pro tip: you might find this useful—check out the website "CameraSize" to compare how these actually sit on the Sony a7C II body. it helped me realize how much some lenses stick out! also, for technical stuff, i always look at Dustin Abbott lens reviews or "RTINGS" for their sharpness charts. it really helps to see the RAW data before dropping a grand, you know? i wish i had checked those more before i bought my heavy gear... definitely a lesson learned the hard way haha. good luck in the Dolomites! 👍

Honestly, I have been diving into some market research on this lately because the lens industry is realy shifting toward these smaller bodies. It is kind of wierd how many new options there are just in the last year. If you want something more modern than the older Tamron, you should definately check out the Sony FE 16-25mm f/2.8 G. It is technicaly part of their new compact zoom line designed specifically for the a7C series. From what I have read in the spec sheets, it is way smaller than the older zooms and keeps that 67mm filter thread which is great for landscape filters in the Dolomites. There is also the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary which is worth a look if you want an internal zoom design so it doesnt change length while you are shooting. Anyway, here is how those brands compare technicaly from what I have seen:

• Sony G: Only 409g, has an aperture ring, and the best autofocus integration
• Sigma Contemporary: Around 450g, internal zoom is usually better for dust resistance
• Tamron: Good value but the 17-28mm is getting a bit old now I am still kind of new to reading all the technical MTF charts and stuff, but the newer Sony glass seems to be optimized for the 33MP sensor better. Is weight more important to you than having an internal zoom?

sooo honestly I feel u on this one. I took a similar setup to the Alps last year and keeping that kit light is LITERALLY the most important thing when youre hiking all day, right? Since youre rocking the a7C II, you really dont wanna throw a massive brick on the front and ruin the whole point of that compact body... Here's what I recommend based on my own experience: 1. Stick with Sony's first-party compact glass. Honestly, their newer high-end primes are built exactly for this sensor. You get that technical edge with the physical aperture rings and crazy sharp corners which is huge for those mountain peaks. Plus, the linear motors mean the autofocus is basically instant, even for quick architecture shots in the villages.
2. Tamron is the move if you want that zoom flexibility without the weight penalty. I mean, they basically pioneered making those lightweight f/2.8 zooms that dont break your back on a 10-mile trek. If youre worried about being 'stuck' at one focal length while looking at a massive valley, just get a Tamron zoom and you wont even feel it in your pack.
3. Look for consistency in filter sizes. Stick to brands that keep a 67mm thread across their wide options. It makes your life sooo much easier when youre swapping ND filters or polarizers at sunrise... trust me. Personally, I think you should lean towards the high-end primes if you want to milk every bit of detail out of that 33MP sensor, but anyway, you really cant go wrong with either brand for travel. Dolomites are gonna be mood af, gl!! 👍

Great info, saved!