Best ultra-wide angle L-mount lenses for landscape photography?

Question

I seriously need to figure out which ultra-wide lens to grab for my L-mount setup because I am losing my mind looking at charts and reviews every night. I have this huge trip to the Dolomites coming up in exactly three weeks and I still havent pulled the trigger on anything. I'm basically stuck between these three:

Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art

Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6

Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 Contemporary

The Sigma 14-24 is supposed to be the king of sharpness which I really need for my S1R because why have 47 megapixels if the corners are mushy right? But its a total brick. I'm gonna be hiking miles every day and my back is already hurting just thinking about it. Plus that bulbous front element means no normal filters without a massive expensive setup. Then there is the Lumix 14-28 which is way lighter and way cheaper—my budget is pretty tight, trying to stay under $1100 if I can—but is that f/5.6 at the long end gonna kill me if I try some astro? Or should I just go with the Sigma 16-28 as a middle ground? I am worried 16mm isnt wide enough for those massive mountain vistas. Which one actually survives real world use without breaking my bank or my neck?

Valentine Cross · Accepted Answer

Re: "tbh, Ive spent way too many years hauling..."

Late to the party, but over the years I've learned that mountain weather is zero joke. I once had a lens mount wobble after a minor bump on a rocky trail, super scary.

Panasonic Lumix S Pro 16-35mm f/4 is my go-to for reliability. It's rugged and weather-sealed.

For pure width, the Venus Laowa 12mm f/2.8 Zero-D is a beast. It's all metal with no electronics to fail.

QuartzQuestor · Answer

Honestly, the Laowa 15mm f/2 Zero-D is a total hidden gem for L-mount hikers! It is super lightweight and that f/2 aperture is just amazing for clean astro shots in the mountains. Manual focus is actually better for these landscapes imo. It fits your budget perfectly and takes standard filters too... seriously a fantastic choice for those massive peaks!

YumaYonder · Answer

tbh, Ive spent way too many years hauling heavy gear up steep trails and my back is screaming just reading about the Art lens. If youre hiking the Dolomites, dont get the Sigma 14-24mm f/2.8 DG DN Art. Its definitely the sharpness king, but that bulbous front element is a huge pain for filters when you actually get out there. In my experience, the Sigma 16-28mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is the real winner here. It hits the sweet spot for weight and performance on a high-res body like your S1R. People obsess over those extra 2mm at the wide end, but 16mm is still crazy wide for mountain vistas. Plus having f/2.8 across the range is a lifesaver for astro. The Panasonic Lumix S 14-28mm f/4-5.6 Macro is light, but that slow aperture at 28mm is gonna hold you back. Save your neck and your wallet, just get the 16-28mm and enjoy the trip.