Hello from Eugene Oregon. New member who is looking forward to experienced advice

[Checksix]

I currently shoot with an old A77 and use a Sony 18-135mm f3.5-5.6 for 95+% of my shots. I love the versatility of that lens. I shoot almost exclusively landscape and nature stills. I rarely shoot video but might like to dabble in it once I upgrade. I have decided to go with the A7iv and have lots of questions, mostly about compatibility of aftermarket lenses to full frame. I have been saving for years and have a fixed budget to get the A7iv with a couple of lenses and all of the required accessories. I would like to get the Sony FE 100-400mm F4.5-5.6 GM, but between that and the camera body it will use most of my budget, hence the need for a less expensive after-market lens. I'll need a wide-angle zoom, preferably in the same approximate range as my current 18-135mm. I look forward to hearing from all of you with practical experience to share!

Sharing my most widely seen image, a self portrait that was on the cover of the 2015 Oregon fishing regulations. The Oregon Department of Fish & Wildlife (ODFW) has used it extensively and still uses it on their main licensing web page.

 

[FowlersFreeTime]

Welcome aboard. The two big names in 3rd party lenses are Sigma and Tamron, perhaps they have something that would fit your needs? Maybe a Tamron 28-200mm? I'm sure a used lens from keh.com or mpb.com would be easier on the wallet. As for prime lenses, you have more options at varying price points, new or used.

 

[TomF162]

Welcome to the forum Greg! We live pretty close to each other. I'm in Cheshire. Looking forward to seeing more of your work.

 

[Thad E Ginathom]

The two big names in 3rd party lenses are Sigma and Tamron

And there are respectable lenses at even less cost too. I love my Samyang 135. Although I was less leased with their tiny 35/1.8 and ended up swapping it for a Sony FE35/1.8. I do not own a single Sony G or GM lens. Maybe, one day... but it is perfectly possible I never will!

Welcome!

 

[iamdlewis]

Welcome.
There are a few option in the All-in-one zoom for the full frame.
Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD Lens (Sony E) ~$800
Tamron 28-300mm f/4-7.1 Di III VC VXD Lens (Sony E) ~$900
Sony FE 24-240mm f/3.5-6.3 OSS Lens ~$1350

I know people say the Tamron 28-200mm is fine, and probably the best of that group, but if you do more pixel peeping it starts to really show the flaws of such a wide zoom range. I would suggest the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS Lens (KEH has one listed as EX+ for ~$900 as of writing). I know that doesn't give you that full range you were looking for but it is a great lens.

As someone that loves the Sony 100-400GM if you are not really big into bird in flight photography you may want to look into the Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary Lens (Sony E) ~$950. You have the A7iv so the FPS limit that Sony has on some 3rd party lenses (max 15fps) is not an issue (A7iv max fps is less than 15). Yes the Sony 100-400GM is a better lens but I don't think it is 2.5x better especially if you are not doing high speed action photography with an A9 or A1.

Another long lens option is the Sigma 150-600mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Sports Lens for Sony E ~1400 which is better than the Sigma 100-400mm but depending on the wide lens you go with you could be missing part of a range.

Don't be afraid of the 3rd party lens, especially from Sigma or Tamron. Just do some review research to make sure they fit your needs.