I just picked up an S5II and I'm honestly panicking a little bit because I have a trip to Tokyo literally next Thursday and I still haven't settled on a lens setup. I bought the body only to save some cash but now I'm staring at a paperweight lol. I'm looking for that one "Goldilocks" prime that can just stay on the camera the whole time because I really hate swapping glass when I'm walking around a crowded city all day.
I spent all last night on YouTube and different forums and I'm seeing a lot of love for the Lumix 35mm f1.8. People say the autofocus is snappy and it matches the other f1.8 primes in terms of weight which is cool for my gimbal but I saw a couple of reviews saying the focus breathing is kinda distracting for video and since I'm planning on shooting a lot of 4k stuff for my travel vlog that makes me really nervous. Then there's the 50mm f1.8 which is super cheap and sharp but is it gonna be too tight for street stuff and architecture? I dont want to be backing into traffic just to get a shrine or a building in the frame.
My budget is around 600 or 700 bucks tops because the camera body already nuked my savings account. I need something that meets a few criteria:
- fast autofocus for video
- light enough for all day carry
- great for low light
- weather sealed if possible
I'm also looking at the Sigma 35mm f2 Contemporary because the all-metal build looks amazing but I've heard the native Panasonic lenses have better communication for the internal stabilization and I'm gonna be shooting mostly handheld. Does that even matter if the lens doesnt have OIS anyway?
If you had to pick just one prime to live on your S5II for a week of fast-paced travel and maybe some low light dinner shots or moody alleyway photos what would it be? I need to order this by tomorrow afternoon to get it in time so I'm really looking for some quick advice from anyone who actually uses this system daily...
Honestly, picking just one lens for a trip like Tokyo is tough. I've used the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 extensively, and unfortunately, the focus breathing is exactly as bad as you've heard. It's quite disappointing when you're trying to pull focus for a cinematic vlog shot. Also, while I love the build of the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary, its video autofocus transitions arent as good as expected compared to native glass on the S5II. If you want to survive Tokyo with one prime, here's my methodical take:
- 35mm is essential; 50mm is far too tight for narrow Shinjuku alleys.
- Native glass like the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 handles IBIS communication better for handheld work.
- Weather sealing is vital since Tokyo weather is unpredictable. It's not as good as expected, but it's basically your best bet for a single-lens setup.
> I'm also looking at the Sigma 35mm f2 Contemporary because the all-metal build looks amazing I went that route last year and sadly had issues. The Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary looks great but the AF pulse was distracting for my videos. I switched to the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f1.8 mid-trip because I needed better tracking, tho it felt cheap and plastic-y... neither really lived up to the hype for me, honestly.
Regarding what #3 said about To add to the point above:Are you mostly shooting handheld? I actually think you should look at the wider end of the spectrum for a trip like this. While many people gravitate toward a 35mm, for a travel vlog in a dense city like Tokyo, the Panasonic Lumix S 24mm f1.8 is a fantastic alternative that offers much more safety for your compositions! It is absolutely amazing for those narrow alleys in Omoide Yokocho where a 35mm or 50mm would honestly feel way too cramped. I prefer sticking to native glass because the reliability is just unbeatable for the S5II autofocus system. You wont have to worry about the pulsing issues or communication lag that sometimes happens with third-party lenses. The 24mm is fully weather-sealed and the autofocus is whisper-quiet which is perfect for your vlogging needs. Since you are in a rush and cannot afford gear failure, going with the native 24mm is the most professional and secure way to ensure your footage turns out great. It fits your budget perfectly and keeps the weight low for all-day walking sessions!
To add to the point above:
- Are you mostly shooting handheld?
- IIRC, non-native glass often lacks full compatibility, which is unfortunately quite disappointing. I'd be cautious about third-party options for vlogs.
