Just picked up the S5II and Im so hyped to finally move to full frame! Im looking for a do-it-all zoom lens for travel and street photography. My budget is around 1k-1.2k and I need something ready for a trip in late May. I checked out the Lumix 20-60mm kit lens and while its light, I feel like I might want more reach, but then people keep raving about the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 though its kinda heavy and maybe overkill for casual stuff? Im stuck between having that extra range vs better low light performance. Does the weight really matter that much if Im walking all day in the city? What would you guys pick?
Congrats on the new body! The S5II is honestly a beast. If you're walking all day, trust me, weight adds up fast. I'd lean towards the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. for the extra reach and stabilization, it's way more practical for travel.
- Pack a light prime for nights
- Lens stabilization is your best friend Dont sweat the f/2.8 too much unless you shoot sports constantly, the f/4 zoom is just so much more versatile!
Building on the earlier suggestion, honestly, carrying around a heavy brick for street photography can be a real pain. If you want a good balance between reach and size without hitting the gym just to take photos, I'd look at these options instead:
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary - super compact and light, definitely easier to handle all day than the bigger f/2.8 zooms.
- Panasonic Lumix S 70-300mm f/4.5-5.6 MACRO O.I.S. - maybe pair this with a prime if you really need that extra reach for travel shots, though it lacks the wide end. The Sigma is probably the best middle ground. You get that constant aperture for low light, but it doesn't weigh a ton. Just watch out for that 28mm start, sometimes it feels a bit tight for city streets if you're used to wider lenses.
Congrats on the new gear! That S5II is such a sweet camera. Before you drop a grand, how much low light shooting are you actually planning on doing? Honestly, I made the mistake of buying a massive lens for a trip once and ended up leaving it in the hotel safe half the time because my neck was killing me.
- Think about your stamina
- Check if you really need that f/2.8
- Consider the bulk versus fun Don't let the weight ruin your vacation!
