What are the absolute best budget-friendly lenses for the Lumix S5II right now? I just finally picked one up after saving for months and im so hyped to start shooting with it but man the L-mount glass prices are kind of a jumpscare lol. I saw everyone recommending the 20-60mm kit lens and the 50mm f1.8 prime which both seem okay but im worried the kit lens is gonna be trash in low light when I go to Edinburgh next month for a trip. I also looked at some Sigma stuff like the 28-70 but even thats pushing my budget a bit since I only have about 450 quid left to spend on a lens.
I read that the Panasonic 50mm f1.8 is basically a must-have because its cheap and light but then some people on forums were saying the autofocus on older Sigma Art lenses via the MC-21 adapter can be a bit jittery even with the new phase detect system on the S5II so now im just overthinking everything. I really want something versatile for street stuff and maybe some portraits of my dog. Are there any hidden gems or maybe some vintage glass that works well with an adapter that wont make me go broke?
- 20-60mm kit (worth keeping?)
- 50mm f1.8 (is it too tight?)
- Sigma 28-70mm (is it worth the extra cash?)
I really want to get the most out of this sensor without spending another two grand...
congrats on the S5II! i remember when i first jumped into full frame, the sticker shock for glass is a total nightmare... basically lived on bread and water for a month lol. in my experience, skip the MC-21 adapter stuff if youre traveling. ive tried many adapter setups over the years and they always seem to hunt right when youre trying to catch a candid shot in the rain. i always prioritize reliability over saving a few bucks with janky setups. honestly, for 450 quid you can get a solid kit going:
- keep the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6. its surprisingly punchy and that 20mm width is a lifesaver for narrow streets.
- grab the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 for low light. it matches the kit lens in size and the autofocus is rock solid.
- look for a used Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary if you want one lens to rule them all.
Late to the party but I had to chime in because I love this camera so much! It is seriously amazing. Like someone mentioned, trying to save money by adapting old glass can be a total nightmare when you are actually out in the field. I learned that the hard way during my last big trip when I tried to go the cheap route. I used to be all about those vintage adapters and cheap manual glass because I was being stingy. Here is why I changed my mind:
- I missed a ton of candid shots because I was busy fiddling with settings.
- The weight of all those metal adapters made my bag way too heavy for hiking.
- The native glass I eventually swapped to is just so much more reliable and fast. Basically, I ended up spending more money in the long run because I bought stuff that didnt work well and had to replace it later. My current setup is much simpler now and I am way happier. Honestly, just stick to native glass that you know will work every single time you hit the shutter button. It makes the shooting experience so much more fun and way less stressful!
Can vouch for this
