18 or 20 mm prime lens.

link

TMG1961
Members 22 posts

April 3, 2023, 6:59 p.m. April 3, 2023, 6:59 p.m.
link

@SilvanBromide has written:

@TMG1961 has written:

A friend who lives 4 houses from me has also got the Sony 16-35 f/4 and his lens is sharp from corner to corner, even at f/4. I also found it strange that i happen to receive two copies with sharpness problems...

I had the FE 16-35 f/4 for a number of years (eventually sold it to get the f/2.8 GM) and it was an excellent lens. Like your friend's, it was sharp across the frame, so I think your experience is either bad luck or the vagaries of the second-hand market (e.g. people may be more likely to part with copies of lenses that aren't performing well).

I purchased mine new, and tested it when I received it, as you do. There was never any question about sending it back, as it was great. I'd encourage you not to give up, as there are definitely good ones out there.

I think it was just a case of bad luck that i ran into 2 bad copies of the lens. A lot of people are very happy with the lens and got good copies. With second hand you never know what has happened to the lens before you got it. It could be dropped without visible marks on the outside but the damage is internal. Maybe in the near future i will try out another copy but at the moment i am going down the prime lens road.
link

levine889
Members 9 posts

April 4, 2023, 12:05 a.m. April 4, 2023, 12:05 a.m.
link

@levine889 has written:

I am waiting for the new Sigma 17mm f/4 that has been rumored for next month, otherwise I'm considering the Samyang 18mm

Initial reviews of the new Sigma 17mm f/4 look good. I will probably go with this lens

schnauzerboy and Deucalus like this.

favorite 2
link

JCCabin
Members 16 posts

April 4, 2023, 12:57 p.m. April 4, 2023, 12:57 p.m.
link

@levine889 has written:

@levine889 has written:

I am waiting for the new Sigma 17mm f/4 that has been rumored for next month, otherwise I'm considering the Samyang 18mm

Initial reviews of the new Sigma 17mm f/4 look good. I will probably go with this lens

Reviews of the 17 do sound good with the possible exception of vignetting which is not great and focus breathing for those who shoot video. It is so small and light.

levine889 likes this.

favorite 1
link

TMG1961
Members 22 posts

April 4, 2023, 2:02 p.m. April 4, 2023, 2:02 p.m.
link
link

schnauzerboy
Members 2 posts

April 6, 2023, 12:53 p.m. April 6, 2023, 12:53 p.m.
link

@JCCabin has written:

@levine889 has written:

@levine889 has written:

I am waiting for the new Sigma 17mm f/4 that has been rumored for next month, otherwise I'm considering the Samyang 18mm

Initial reviews of the new Sigma 17mm f/4 look good. I will probably go with this lens

Reviews of the 17 do sound good with the possible exception of vignetting which is not great and focus breathing for those who shoot video. It is so small and light.

I think the distortion is a bit high to
link

Zeiss4me
Members 1 post

April 10, 2023, 7:38 a.m. April 10, 2023, 7:38 a.m.
link

@TMG1961 has written:

I have tried 2 Sony 16-35 f/4 ZA OSS lenses and did send both back because of the poor image quality. The first was very decentered and the second was unsharp on the sides/corners even at f/8. I am shooting with a Sony a7rII.

Not going to get another Sony 16-25 f/4 ZA OSS but instead looking for a 18 or 20 mm prime lens. Un fortunately my pockets are not real deep and my budget is €700 max. So it will be a used lens, but i don't have a problem with that. Will be using the lens for landscape and exterieur architecture.

Suggestion based on owning or having owned a 18 or 20mm lens would be very welcome.

I own the Batis 18mm f2.8. I see them advertised in excellent condition for less than 700 USD on KEH and B&H photo two sources for used equipment that I like.

The lens is really excellent and I like how it looks and feels on my full frame bodies. It is surprisingly light for its size and I really like the OLED depth of field display. I find it really helps when focusing in very dark conditions.

The downside is it takes a fair amount of room in my bag AND is a bit tricky to grasp firmly when mounting on my bodies because of its shape and finish.

For several years I owned the Sony 16-35 f4 but eventually sold if after buying the Batis 18 which was sharper, lighter and faster.

Not sure if you can find a used Sony 12-24 f4 G in your price range but it is a fine lens

paulrbarnard and levine889 like this.

favorite 2
link

TMG1961
Members 22 posts

April 10, 2023, 2:58 p.m. April 10, 2023, 2:58 p.m.
link

I bought a used Samyang 18mm f/2.8 in a as good as new state. Tested it and it is good/sharp enough for the price i paid for it. Came with a lens station which was also as good as new and both for €279.

schnauzerboy, levine889 and JCCabin like this.

favorite 3
link

Terryk1
Members 140 posts

April 11, 2023, 2:15 p.m. April 11, 2023, 2:15 p.m.
link

The Sony 20mm is an excellent lens.

TMG1961 likes this.

favorite 1
link

TMG1961
Members 22 posts

April 11, 2023, 7:01 p.m. April 11, 2023, 7:01 p.m.
link

@Terryk1 has written:

The Sony 20mm is an excellent lens.

It is, but even second hand it was out of my budget. So decided to go for the samyang 18mm and so far i am happy with it.
link

Terryk1
Members 140 posts

April 21, 2023, 8:11 p.m. April 21, 2023, 8:11 p.m.
link

The Sony 20mm is a great lens.
link

JCCabin
Members 16 posts

April 29, 2023, 6:50 p.m. April 29, 2023, 6:50 p.m.
link

Yes, it is quite a nice lens; Here is a shot I took yesterday with it.

Spring Time by Jeremy Cole, on Flickr

TMG1961, JohnDavis1 and CrashpcCZ like this.

favorite 3
link

levine889
Members 9 posts

April 29, 2023, 7:59 p.m. April 29, 2023, 7:59 p.m.
link

I've received my Sigma 17mm f/4 from B&H (they pay the sales tax). I really like it. It's small and I love the images. Works for me.
link

JCCabin
Members 16 posts

April 30, 2023, 10:38 a.m. April 30, 2023, 10:38 a.m.
link

Nice. Have any images you can post?
link

TMG1961
Members 22 posts

April 30, 2023, 11:21 a.m. April 30, 2023, 11:21 a.m.
link

@JCCabin has written:

Nice. Have any images you can post?

Me or levine889? i haven't got any images yet. Been too busy with other things and also the weather hasn't been that great lately.
link

levine889
Members 9 posts

May 1, 2023, 5:56 p.m. May 1, 2023, 5:56 p.m.
link

I purchased this for travel, so I haven't had a chance to use it for that yet, but here are a few around the house (using default Lightroom lens corrections)

www.flickr.com/gp/levine889/0yZ3866r3w
www.flickr.com/gp/levine889/003068p3vk
www.flickr.com/gp/levine889/t2i6zz3SN2
www.flickr.com/gp/levine889/6P9sXgR8p4
www.flickr.com/gp/levine889/p3zz88a025

Here is Dustin Abbotts latest review www.youtube.com/watch?v=5BWg2kyvJMM

TMG1961 likes this.

favorite 1
link

Terryk1
Members 140 posts

May 28, 2023, 11:56 a.m. May 28, 2023, 11:56 a.m.
link

The 20 G is a fine lens worth having.
link

Terryk1
Members 140 posts

May 28, 2023, 11:58 a.m. May 28, 2023, 11:58 a.m.
link

I really like it.
link

Terryk1
Members 140 posts

May 30, 2023, 8:06 p.m. May 30, 2023, 8:06 p.m.
link

@TMG1961 has written:

I have tried 2 Sony 16-35 f/4 ZA OSS lenses and did send both back because of the poor image quality. The first was very decentered and the second was unsharp on the sides/corners even at f/8. I am shooting with a Sony a7rII.

Not going to get another Sony 16-25 f/4 ZA OSS but instead looking for a 18 or 20 mm prime lens. Un fortunately my pockets are not real deep and my budget is €700 max. So it will be a used lens, but i don't have a problem with that. Will be using the lens for landscape and exterieur architecture.

Suggestion based on owning or having owned a 18 or 20mm lens would be very welcome.

I would definitely get the 20mm.