Im losing my mind trying to pick a prime for my Lumix S5II. Everyone keeps suggesting the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 but its massive and I need something compact for street photography in London. I saw the Lumix 50mm f/1.8 is cheap but feels too plastic? Need something versatile for under 600 quid. What are you guys actually using?
Honestly, I get your frustration. I tried the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 for a bit, but honestly, it felt like a toy and I ended up selling it after a month. If you want something that actually feels like a proper tool, check these out instead:
- Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary
- This is built so much better than the f/1.4 versions. All metal, great focus ring, and way more manageable for London street sessions.
- Voigtlander Nokton 40mm f/1.2 Aspherical
- If you dont mind manual focus, this lens is gorgeous. Its small, fast, and the rendering is way more interesting than standard glass. Everything else in that price range is either cheap plastic or way too bulky. Just save yourself the headache and avoid the kit-feeling stuff if you can.
Honestly, the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 is exactly what you need. It stays super compact on the S5II and the weather sealing is rock solid for London weather.
- Sharpness is really impressive
- Much lighter than the Sigma options
- Build quality feels perfectly fine imo I have been using mine for a few months now and am very satisfied with the results. Definitely worth checking out if you want to keep things small.
If you want something tiny for street work, you might want to consider the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It feels way more premium than the cheap Lumix plastic lenses, tbh.
- Super compact size
- Really nice manual aperture ring
- Perfect for street Be careful with the f/2.8 aperture if you shoot in super dark alleys, but for London daylight, it is perfect. Seriously, the build quality is just chef kiss.