So I finally bit the bullet and grabbed an S5II body after saving up for months because I really wanted that phase detect autofocus for my hiking vlogs here in Oregon. Problem is I spent almost all my cash on the body and now I am sitting here with just the kit lens and its... fine I guess? But I really want that blurry background look for my talking head shots and better low light for when I am in the forest under the canopy where it gets dark fast.
I keep seeing people recommend the Lumix 50mm f1.8 because its cheap and the autofocus is native but then I saw a bunch of videos about the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 being the best budget zoom option. But is the Sigma gonna be weird with the autofocus compared to the Panasonic brand lenses? Some guys on Reddit were saying the Panasonic 1.8 primes are better because they are all the same size which is cool for gimbals but I dont even own a gimbal yet so maybe that doesnt matter for me right now.
I have about $500 maybe $600 to spend right now and I really need one solid do it all lens or maybe two cheap primes if that makes more sense. What are you guys actually using on this camera that doesnt cost two grand? Is the Sigma 28-70 actually worth it or should I just stick to the Lumix primes...
I would suggest you be careful about picking a zoom if your main priority is that forest canopy low light. The Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 is a very solid technical choice because the firmware integration with the S5II is seamless, which matters for the phase detect logic. If you decide on a prime, you might want to consider these points:
- The Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 is actually better for vlogging because 50mm is often too narrow for handheld hiking shots.
- If you go with the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary, make sure to check for used copies to stay under that $600 limit. Sigma glass works fine with the new AF system, though native Panasonic lenses are often more consistent for video tracking. The uniform size of the f/1.8 primes is a big plus even without a gimbal because it keeps your balance predictable.
