Unfortunately, finding a tiny ultra-wide that doesnt compromise on build quality is tougher than youd think. I had high hopes for the cheaper plastic primes like the Samyang AF 18mm f2.8 FE but the durability was honestly not as good as expected... i just wouldnt trust it to survive Icelandic weather. I previously had issues with moisture getting into those non-sealed bodies and it basically ruined the trip. If you want to stay under that 800 limit, you should probably look at the Sigma 17mm f/4 DG DN Contemporary. Its a bit disappointing that you lose a few stops of light, which is a real bummer if you were hoping to catch the northern lights, but the metal construction is reliable and safe. Its not the perfect lens, but it keeps the setup small without feeling like a cheap toy. Just make sure you order it soon because shipping can be a nightmare.

Building on the earlier suggestion, its honestly frustrating how limited the options are for high-resolution glass in this tiny form factor. Most budget primes just dont have the corner performance youd want for those wide Iceland vistas. Are you planning on shooting any aurora or do you just need it for daytime? Because the Sigma 17mm f4 DG DN Contemporary is incredibly compact and well under budget, tho that f4 aperture is kinda disappointing for low light.

I definitely agree that build quality is the biggest risk here.

• Be careful with non-sealed glass in that Icelandic rain.
• Just watch out for weird distortion on those cheaper ultra-wides.