Ive been in the L-mount ecosystem for about three years now mostly using the Lumix S5II and the 24-105mm f4 kit which is great but man it gets heavy after a full day of shooting. Im planning this big trip to Kyoto and Tokyo in three weeks and I really want to challenge myself to just bring one prime lens. Usually Im a zoom guy but I want that faster aperture for the night markets and those narrow alleys. I was looking at the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN but then I saw the Lumix 35mm f1.8 and Im torn because the Lumix is so much lighter for travel but the Sigma rendering looks so much better in the samples Ive seen online. Also thought about the 50mm but that feels a bit tight for street stuff sometimes? I have a budget of about $1100 and Im really looking for something that wont give me focus breathing issues since I might do some video clips too. My main concern is finding that sweet spot where I dont regret leaving the zooms at home when Im walking 15 miles a day. What do you guys think is the absolute best all-around prime for L-mount if you could only carry one?
In my experience, walking 15 miles a day makes weight your biggest enemy. Over the years, I've narrowed the choices down to these:
- Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f1.8: Best for video as it has almost zero focus breathing. Its light weight is perfect for Kyoto.
- Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary: Excellent middle ground. Better build than the Lumix but much lighter than the f1.4 Art. Stick with the Lumix for the S5II.
Honestly, I tried the Sigma Art series and unfortunately it just felt like a brick after a few hours of walking. The rendering is pretty, sure, but I had issues with it being way too front-heavy on the S5II during long days. If you want something that isnt going to kill your neck but still feels premium, have you checked out the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary? Its significantly smaller than the Art series and the build quality is way better than the plastic-feeling Lumix stuff. Also, are you dead set on 35mm? If you really want that street look without the weight, the Lumix S 50mm f1.8 is super cheap and basically weighs nothing. I know you said 50mm feels tight, but for Kyoto alleyways, that extra reach is sometimes a lifesaver. Are you gonna be doing mostly handheld video or are you bringing a small gimbal along for the trip?
