This one's been on the back burner, for me, for quite some time. Since it's available in Sony a-mount, and the newer Tamron 18-400 is only available in Canon and Nikon mounts, I've been considering it. But, both the reviews, and comments here, regarding this lens, have been a mixed bag. Sony lenses are quite pricey, and thus - apart from those I already have (18-55 SAM II, 16-105 DT, 18-250 DT) chances are, I won't be getting anymore (apart from a macro or two) but this is one Third Party lens, I keep coming back to, again and again. It's wide enough for most applications where one needs a Wider Length, but only if that 16mm REALLY IS 16mm. But, I suspect it really isn't. So, I am interested to hear from those who have it, use it, and have figured out what it really IS, on the wide end. Also, I'd like to hear your reflections about its performance on the long end, too. Of course, I am considering it for my Sony SLTs, but if you have it on a Nikon or on a Canon - I'd also like to hear your reflections. Best money you ever spent on a lens, or no?

It is a fairly obvious point, do what you are passionate about and not only will learning be 'easier' but the choices you make will be more informed by your own knowledge.
My passion over landscape photography is a result of taking Scouts around The English Lake District and the moorlands of the North Pennines. Of Cycling through the Yorkshire dales and yes, walking the dog in the woodland of the South Downs. I also had the opportunity to study Environmental Science and Geography. Several times I tried photography - to document what I saw and where I had been. BUT, the results were horrible. It took age and less family/work stress for me to feel able to 'take the time' to learn photography.
Now I have the best of both worlds...The fun of enjoying 'the great outdoors', the knowledge to research where I would like to go and the kind of images I could achieve there and the 'Bonus' of being able to create images of my own that please me.
I take horrible portraits, I can see no benefit in BIF, it is too much like twitching or stamp collecting to my mind, and I have no outlet for product photography.

But going out and 'exploring' gives me a buzz - with or without the camera. But Now it comes along more often.

have fun