Been thinking about your dilemma since I saw this earlier today. Dealing with the a7R V is basically like viewing your work under a microscope. I learned that the hard way when I took my old kit to Iceland and came back with a bunch of mushy corners because I was stopping down to f/11 out of habit. On that 61MP sensor, diffraction starts creeping in way earlier than you'd expect, usually around f/7.1 or f/8 if you're really pixel peeping. In my experience, the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II is one of the few zooms that actually keeps up with that resolution across the whole frame. I've compared it side-by-side with the first version, and the edge-to-edge sharpness on the Mark II is night and day. But yeah, 16mm can feel tight in narrow spots like The Narrows or Subway. Quick question though—what specific brand of square filters are you running right now? If you're on a standard 100mm system like Lee or NiSi, the 12-24mm is gonna force you into a massive 150mm setup which is just a total chore to hike with. If you can live without the zoom, the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G is a giant killer. It is light, takes standard 67mm threads, and is weirdly sharp. But for Zion, you might really miss that wide end. Have you looked at the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for Sony E? It is a bit of a middle ground, though still has the bulbous front and needs a special adapter for filters.

Honestly, the transition to 61 megapixels is a total trap if you arent prepared for the technical debt it brings. I had a similar reality check when I took my old kit to the PNW last year. I thought my glass was sharp until I saw the actual MTF performance drop off on that high-res sensor... it was pretty depressing. Unfortunately, even the Sony FE 16-35mm f/2.8 GM II starts to struggle once you get into the smaller apertures. On the a7R V, you're hitting the diffraction limit much earlier than you think. By f/11, you're basically throwing away the resolution you paid for. I had huge issues with the original version of that lens and while the Mark II is better, it still doesnt quite hit the corners like a prime does. I tried the Sony FE 12-24mm f/2.8 GM for a while but the filter situation was just a disaster. Carrying those massive 150mm plates and a specialized holder is a joke when you're hiking miles into a trail. For Zion, you really want something manageable. If you want to actually resolve every pixel, the Sony FE 14mm f/1.8 GM is probably the only thing that wont let you down. When I was shooting in the Narrows, 16mm often felt too tight to capture the scale of the walls. That extra field of view on the 14mm is a lifesaver. Primes are annoying for flexibility, but at 61MP, the zooms just feel a bit mushy in the corners by comparison. It is basically a choice between convenience and actual clarity.

👆 this