So I finally made the jump to full frame with the S5 after shooting micro four thirds for ages and man the sensor is great but the lens prices are kind of a gut punch. I got the kit 20-60mm which is actually surprisingly decent for a kit lens especially for vlogging stuff but I really need something faster for this low light documentary project Im shooting in Chicago next month. My logic was that I could just adapt my old EF glass with a Sigma MC-21 but the autofocus is just... not quite there for what I need and I really want native L-mount if I can help it. I was looking at those new Panasonic 1.8 primes like the 35mm or 50mm because they all share the same size which is cool for my gimbal setup but even those are pushing my budget a bit since I need to buy at least two focal lengths. I have about $900 total to spend for two lenses which is tight I know. Is there some hidden gem I am missing or should I just suck it up and go for the Sigma Contemporary line? I heard the 45mm f2.8 is tiny but maybe too slow for dark interiors? My brain is just going in circles trying to balance the price vs aperture vs weight since I am gonna be walking around the city all day... thoughts?
I went through this exact same panic when I got my S5 lol. Coming from MFT, the price of full frame glass is legit scary. If you want things to just work without fiddling with settings or adapters, I think the Panasonic 1.8 primes are your safest bet. They are built specifically for the AF system in the S5 so you wont get as much pulsing as you might with adapted EF glass.
- Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 S-S50 is a no-brainer. It is cheap, light, and very reliable.
- Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 S-S35 is great for street stuff, but check used prices to stay under that $900 limit for both. The Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is tiny but f/2.8 might be too slow for dark Chicago interiors. Sticking with the native f/1.8 series is better because they all share the same size, so you dont have to re-balance your gimbal every time you swap lenses. It just makes things way less stressful on a shoot.
