So I finally pulled the trigger on the S5II after saving up forever but now my bank account is looking pretty sad and I basically have a body and no glass. I really want to get into some landscape and street stuff here in Seattle especially since Ive got a trip planned to the Olympic Peninsula in about three weeks so Im on a bit of a tight timeline. My budget is probably around 500 bucks maybe 600 if I stretch it which I know isnt much for full frame L-mount stuff.
I've been doing a lot of reading and I am kinda stuck between a few options:
- The 20-60mm kit lens which is cheap but slow
- The Panasonic 50mm f1.8 for low light
- A used Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 if I can find a deal
Everyone says the kit lens is actually surprisingly good for the price but I'm worried about that f/5.6 on the long end because I really like that blurry background look for portraits and some low light street shots at night. Then I saw the Panasonic 50mm f1.8 and my logic was that it would be a perfect companion since it's light and weather sealed but then I read some forum posts saying it's a bit clinical or boring and maybe I should look at the Sigma i-series instead? But those Sigma primes are like 100 or 200 dollars more expensive and I'm not sure if the build quality difference is actually worth it for a hobbyist like me.
I also looked at the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 Contemporary which seems like a steal used but I'm nervous about the weather sealing because it rains a lot here and I dont want to ruin my new camera. Is the sealing on the S5II good enough that I dont need to worry if the lens isnt fully pro grade? I'm just feeling a bit stuck between getting one really good prime or trying to find a used zoom that covers more ground but might be slower. Should I just stick with the kit lens for now and save up or is there some hidden gem I'm missing? I've seen some people talk about adapted EF glass but that seems like a whole other headache with adapters and autofocus speeds...
Caught this a bit late but congrats on the S5II! Honestly, I have to politely disagree with going for the Sigma 28-70mm zoom right now. Since you're heading to the Olympic Peninsula, you absolutely need full weather sealing, and that Sigma only has it at the mount! For Seattle mist and rain, you want something like the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 S-S35. I love it because it is part of that amazing unified series where the f1.8 primes all share the exact same 67mm filter thread and dimensions! It makes swapping ND filters in the field so fast. Quick tip: pick up a used Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 for cheap to handle those wide landscapes, then use the rest of your budget for the 35mm prime. That combo is just killer for the price!
Honestly, if you want that blurry background look and need to survive the Olympic Peninsula rain, you gotta look at the Panasonic primes over the Sigma ones for now! The Lumix S line is basically made for our weather and they all weigh about the same which makes carrying them way easier.
- Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8
- If you love portraits, this is the one! It is super sharp and the background blur is just amazing for the price. Total bargain for full frame.
- Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8
- Dont believe the clinical talk, it is a total workhorse! It is so light you wont even feel it on your hike and the weather sealing is legit for Seattle mist. I really like the Panasonic primes because they all share that 67mm filter thread. It saves so much cash since you only buy one polarizer for the whole set! Definitely grab the 50mm and maybe hunt for a used Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 for the wide stuff... the peace of mind with the weather sealing is totally worth it for a trip like yours tho!
Regarding #1, swapping primes in rain is honestly a disaster waiting to happen. I have been through many soggy hikes in the PNW and trust me, opening up your sensor to that mist is just asking for trouble. If you are on a tight budget after buying the body, I might want to suggest a slightly more cautious DIY approach to get you through the trip without breaking the bank.
- Grab a used Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f3.5-5.6. You can usually find these for around 200 to 250 bucks because so many people sell them off from kits. It is actually weather sealed and that 20mm wide angle is basically essential for those massive trees at the Hoh Rainforest.
- Spend 10 bucks on some OP/TECH USA Rainsleeves. Honestly, even with sealed gear, I dont trust the Seattle rain 100 percent. These plastic sleeves add that extra layer of safety so you arent constantly stressing about your new S5II.
- Use the leftover cash for a used Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f1.8 later for your street stuff. The kit lens gets a bad rap because it is slow, but for landscapes in the Peninsula, you will probably be stopped down to f/8 or f/11 anyway for depth of field. Just make sure to bring plenty of microfiber cloths... the rain usually ruins the shot on the glass way before it ruins the camera itself.
Regarding #1, swapping primes in rain is honestly a disappointment. Try:
- Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. Its way better than fumbling with glass in the mud... super annoying tbh.
TIL! Thanks for sharing
Building on the earlier suggestion, I recall my first winter shooting in the PNW after blowing my budget on a new body. I thought I could get away with a lens that only had a basic rubber ring at the mount. In my experience, that is a recipe for disaster when the humidity hits 90 percent. Here is basically what I learned from that expensive mistake:
- Non-sealed zooms can act like an air pump. Every time you change focal lengths, you are sucking that moist air into the barrel. I ended up with condensation inside the elements that took days to clear out.
- The body sealing is mostly irrelevant if the lens barrel is porous. My sensor stayed dry, but the glass was a foggy mess by noon on my trip.
- I eventually switched to a fixed focal length setup with internal focusing for my hiking. Since they dont extend or retract, they are way harder for moisture to penetrate.
- I found that buying used is the only way to get real weather sealing on a budget. My current setup is all second-hand and has survived some absolute downpours.
TIL! Thanks for sharing
