24/03/2026 9:50 pm
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my head is actually spinning trying to pick a lens for my A7IV before my trip to the Isle of Skye next month. Everything native is way too much money right now. Im torn between these two:
- Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 Art
- Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN
the Art is heavy as a brick and I gotta hike miles with it but the 16-28 feels like maybe it wont be sharp enough? budget is strictly $1000 max and I need to buy it this week. I just want something that wont break my back but still gives me those crisp mountain shots... which is actually better for long treks?
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24/03/2026 9:51 pm
Grab the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary! I lugged the Art through Skye once and it was agony. This 450g beauty is magic tho!!
- Saves 350g weight
- 72mm threads Skye is breathtaking!
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24/03/2026 10:15 pm
Coming back to this, you really need to be careful about the filter situation if you are heading to Skye. The Sigma 14-24mm f2.8 DG DN Art is an incredible piece of glass, but that bulbous front element means you cant just screw on a circular polarizer or ND filter. For landscapes in a place like Scotland, that is a massive technical hurdle. A few things I would suggest checking:
- Weight is one thing, but the Art lens also requires a bulky, expensive filter holder system that will eat up your budget fast.
- The Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary is plenty sharp for modern sensors and takes standard 72mm filters which is way easier for long exposures.
- You might want to consider the Tamron 17-28mm f2.8 Di III RXD as an alternative, since it is lightweight and fits your $1000 limit. I would definitely go with the 16-28. Hiking for miles with the Art lens and a heavy tripod to support it is gonna be a struggle... honestly, the sharpness difference is negligible when you are stopped down for landscapes anyway.
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24/03/2026 10:55 pm
Just found this thread today. In my experience hiking through the Highlands, Ive seen plenty of folks make the mistake of prioritizing theoretical sharpness over actual portability. Over the years, Ive tried many setups and the heavy glass trap is real... it can really ruin a trip.
- Be careful with lenses that lack internal seals. Skye is basically a giant sponge and the moisture will find its way into your gear.
- Dont overspend on f2.8 glass. For landscape photography, you are almost always stopping down anyway, so you are essentially paying a weight penalty and a premium price for light you wont actually use.
- Watch out for front-heavy lenses on the A7IV. If the balance is off, youll end up with nasty wrist fatigue before you even get to the Old Man of Storr. Honestly, if the gear is too heavy to carry comfortably, you just wont use it. Stick to something lightweight so you can actually enjoy the hike.
