Is there a single prime lens for L-mount that actually lives up to the hype for general walkaround use? I have been shooting with my S5II for a couple years now and honestly, I am getting pretty tired of lugging around that heavy 24-70 f2.8 zoom everywhere I go. I mostly shoot street photography and some casual family stuff when I am out in the city here in Seattle, so I dont need anything crazy fast, but I really want something that isnt going to break the bank.
- I have a budget of around 800 bucks, maybe a little more if the glass is really special
- Needs to be relatively compact because I want to actually carry the camera more
- Im leaning towards 35mm or 50mm, but I cant decide which focal length is better for an all-arounder
I looked at the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN but im worried the f2 aperture might feel a bit limiting compared to what im used to with the zoom, even though the build quality looks amazing. Plus, is the Lumix 50mm f1.8 worth saving the extra cash, or am I gonna regret not getting something with better weather sealing? Its been so wet lately and I really dont want to ruin my sensor swapping lenses out here. Honestly just want something sharp that just works without me having to overthink it...
> I have a budget of around 800 bucks, maybe a little more if the glass is really special Honestly, if you want something that lives up to the hype without the bulk, you should look at the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8. It hits that sweet spot for street stuff. I know you were worried about the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary being too slow, but f/1.8 vs f/2 isnt a huge difference for bokeh and the Lumix is weather-sealed, which is basically mandatory for Seattle weather. I personally prefer 35mm for an all-arounder since 50mm can feel a bit tight in city alleys. The Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 is cheaper, sure, but the 35mm just feels more versatile for family shots where you might be indoors or close quarters. Quick tip: dont sweat the weather sealing on the Lumix primes too much. They are built to match the S5II and hold up just fine in light drizzle. Also, if you stick with the Lumix glass, the focus breathing is minimized for video if you ever dabble in that. Honestly, just grab the 35mm. It turns that heavy setup into a legit pocketable carry and the sharpness is way better than youd expect for the price point. Stop overthinking it and just get out there, you wont miss the zoom once you drop that extra pound of weight.
Honestly, grab the Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN Contemporary if you want that premium metal feel. It is honestly such a joy to use for street stuff and fits perfectly.
Been thinking about your question for a few hours now. If you want something genuinely small, have you looked at the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary? Its super tiny and feels great on the S5II. Are you mostly shooting wide street scenes or do you prefer tighter portraits of your family? Tbh, for Seattle weather, just keep a cheap dry bag in your kit. Its way cheaper than stressing over weather sealing on every single lens.