What is the best wide-angle prime for Sony a7R V landscapes?

Question

So I just got this crazy new camera the Sony a7RV because I want to take really nice photos of my trip to Zion and the Grand Canyon in three weeks but honestly I have no idea what I am doing. I read that for big landscapes you need a wide-angle prime lens because they are sharper than the ones that zoom? I think that is what people said online anyway. My logic was if I get a lens that doesnt move it will be easier to learn but now I am seeing all these numbers like 14mm and 20mm and 24mm and I am totally lost. Is 14mm too much? Like will it make the mountains look weirdly small or far away or something? I saw a Sony 20mm 1.8 lens that looked okay but then there is a G Master one that is way more expensive and I dont know if I actually need that or if I am just throwing money away. I have about 1400 dollars left to spend on this but I really just want something that makes the red rocks look crisp and huge.

Sorry if this is a super basic question I am just really overwhelmed with all the buttons and settings on this thing. I just want to make sure I am getting the right thing for those huge desert views. Should I just get the 24mm or is wider better for the big views out west...

MauroRox · Accepted Answer

Just saw this and tbh I had a rough time when I first started. I bought a few mid-range lenses and unfortunately they just didnt have the resolving power for that 61MP sensor... the edges looked like mud. You really need glass that can handle high line pairs per millimeter or youre kinda wasting that expensive body. For Zion, I actually found that 14mm makes those massive cliffs look way too small and distant. Heres what I would do with that budget:

Sigma 24mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Sony E - about $800 and way sharper in the corners than the cheaper options.

Viltrox AF 16mm f/1.8 FE Full Frame - a solid $550 choice if you really want that ultrawide look without the distortion issues.

Peak Design Carbon Fiber Travel Tripod - because any vibration ruins the 61MP detail. Stick to 24mm for the big stuff, it feels more natural. Dont worry about all the menus yet, just focus on composition and youll be fine.

SilverCrane · Answer

Re: "Honestly, going too wide with 14mm is a..."I disagree, it just needs foreground.Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G: Exceptional corner resolution.Sigma 20mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: Superior build.

Candycqp · Answer

Honestly, going too wide with 14mm is a trap I fell into years ago when I first started out. I thought I needed the widest glass possible for the Grand Canyon, but the mountains just looked like tiny pebbles in the distance because I didnt know how to fill the frame properly. Youre better off with something more manageable. I ended up picking up the Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G and it has been my most reliable lens for desert trips. Its sharp as a tack on high-res sensors like your a7R V, and it doesnt have that extreme distortion you get at 14mm if youre not careful. The G Master version is nice tho, but its heavier and honestly the f1.8 G is so solid that I dont see the point in overspending. It fits your budget and leaves room for a good tripod... which youll definitely want for those crisp shots.