I’m putting together a lightweight L-mount travel kit and need an affordable zoom for street + landscapes. Budget is around $400–$700 used, and I’d love something reasonably sharp with decent stabilization (my hands aren’t the steadiest). I’m torn between a general-purpose 24-70-ish zoom vs a longer travel zoom. What’s the best budget L-mount zoom you’d recommend for travel?
Late to the party but +1 on going stabilized for travel—OIS actually saves my shots when I’m tired. If the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm F4 Macro O.I.S. isn’t around cheap, I’d look at Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH. used (killer optics, heavier tho) or the budget-y Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm F3.5-5.6 (light, sharp-ish, no OIS… be careful). Honestly, IBIS + 24-105 range is the sweet spot
For your situation, I’d grab Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm F4 Macro O.I.S. used—actually stabilized, sharp enough, and 24-105 is perfect for travel. Unfortunately most “budget” L zooms skip OIS, so this one’s the safe bet imo.
To add to the point above: it seems like the thread is mostly leaning toward the 24-105mm or the 20-60mm, but honestly, I found the 20-60mm kinda disappointing once the sun started going down. The lack of OIS is a real dealbreaker if you dont have surgeon hands and the IBIS can only do so much. Unfortunately, the L-mount still lacks that perfect middle-ground budget zoom that isnt a brick. I tried to make the Sigma 28-200mm F4-7.1 Macro IS work for a trip last month and while the range is killer, that f/7.1 at the long end is just... not great for anything besides bright daylight. If you can find a deal, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is way better than the Contemporary version mentioned earlier, even if it weighs a ton. Its actually sharp enough to justify the weight, whereas some of these cheaper zooms just feel soft to me. Just be prepared for the shoulder ache tho. Basically, if you want sharp and stabilized for under $700, your options are still a bit slim pickings... kinda sucks but thats the L-mount life right now.
Following this thread
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
Same here!
For your situation, I’d honestly steer you toward a stabilized “standard zoom” first, not a big travel zoom. I’ve traveled with L-mount a bunch and the general-purpose 24-70-ish range just gets used way more for street + landscapes. My pick in ur $400–$700 used window: Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary (L-Mount). It’s small/light for what it is, actually pretty sharp in the center even wide open, and the 28mm vs 24mm sounds scary on paper but in real travel shooting… I kinda got over it fast. Plus f/2.8 helps keep ISO down when ur hands arent steady. If stabilization is the priority though (like, seriously), look at:
- Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm F4 Macro O.I.S. (L-Mount) — OIS is clutch for handheld, range is perfect for travel, and it’s sharp stopped down for landscapes. It’s not tiny, but it’s the “one lens” solution imo. Why I’d skip superzooms: they’re convenient, but you usually pay with softness at the long end + slower apertures, so you end up fighting shutter speed anyway. What body are you on (Panasonic w/ Dual I.S. or Sigma/Leica)? That changes the stabilization math a lot. cheers
+1
