sorry if this is a dumb question but i just bought a panasonic s5ii for my trips and i am so confused by lenses. my kit lens is fine i guess but i really want something with fast autofocus for walking around street markets in Tokyo next month. im trying to keep it under 400 bucks if possible. what is the best budget autofocus lens i should look at?
Honestly, if you want something that keeps the setup super compact for roaming those Tokyo streets, look at the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm F1.8. It is basically the king of budget L-mount glass right now. Since it is a native lens, the autofocus performance on the S5II is rock solid compared to most third-party alternatives.
- It is weather sealed, which is a lifesaver if you hit any rainy days.
- The weight is negligible so your neck wont hurt by the end of the day.
- The bokeh is actually really smooth for the price. Definitely check out the reviews on DPReview to see some sample shots. It is usually priced right around that 300 to 400 dollar mark if you hunt for a deal or grab it used. Sometimes you can find a good copy on MPB or KEH if you want to save a few extra bucks for sushi money.
Tokyo is gonna be amazing! Under 400 is tight for full frame L-mount, but you actually have some solid third-party choices now.
- Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- Super sharp, tiny size, but AF is just okay.
- Samyang AF 35mm f1.8 FE
- Wait, thats for Sony. Grab the Samyang AF 35mm f1.8 L-Mount instead. Fast and cheap. Id go with the Samyang for street stuff. Have fun on your trip!
TL;DR: Grab a cheap prime and just zoom with your feet. I took a basic 35mm on my last trip and never missed having a zoom lens.