whats the best all-around zoom lens for L-mount cameras right now? i'm in a huge rush because i have a trip to iceland coming up in literally six days and i still havent pulled the trigger on a standard zoom for my s5ii. i've been looking at the sigma 24-70 f2.8 art ii and the panasonic 24-105 f4 but i'm honestly torn. i read that the sigma is way sharper and better for low light but then some people on reddit were saying the autofocus on the panasonic is smoother and that extra 105mm reach is a lifesaver for landscapes.
the problem is i only have a budget of about 1300 bucks so the sigma mark ii is pushing it price-wise unless i find a deal. i'm mostly gonna be shooting waterfalls and hopefully some aurora stuff if i'm lucky so maybe f2.8 is necessary? but then i keep thinking about how much i hate swapping lenses in the wind and rain so maybe the 24-105 is better. i also saw some mention of the sigma 28-70 f2.8 which is way cheaper but is 28mm wide enough for big scenery? i dont know i'm spiraling lol. anyone have experience with these on the newer phase detect bodies or is there a secret third option i'm missing?
Just caught this thread. Since you are on a tight timeline for Iceland, it really helps to look at the technical trade-offs between these kits.
- The Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is incredibly reliable because of the Dual I.S. 2. When you pair it with the S5II, the lens and sensor stabilization work together. This is a huge advantage for shooting waterfalls handheld if you dont want to lug a tripod everywhere. The f/4 aperture is the only real hurdle for aurora, but if you have a tripod, it isnt a dealbreaker.
- I wouldnt recommend the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for this specific trip. 28mm is often too tight for those massive landscapes, and that lens lacks the robust weather sealing you'll need for the spray near waterfalls or the random rain. It is a great street lens but feels a bit risky for the elements in Iceland.
- If you need f/2.8 but the Mark II is too pricey, the original Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is still a powerhouse. It fits right in your budget and gives you that extra light for the aurora. It is heavier than the others, but the build quality is meant for harsh conditions. You can usually find these well within your 1300 limit now.
- Don't overlook the Panasonic LUMIX S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6. It is a kit lens, sure, but the 20mm wide end is incredible for Iceland. You could potentially pair that with a fast prime like the Panasonic LUMIX S 24mm f/1.8 for your low light needs and stay under budget. The autofocus on the Panasonic glass will definitely feel more native, especially for video tracking, but Sigma has caught up a lot with the newer firmware updates for the phase detect system on the S5II.
I would suggest the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art II.
- constant f/2.8 aperture
- superior weather sealing Be careful with f/4 glass; it wont cut it for aurora shots.
Coming back to this... basically it sounds like you're stuck between the speed of the Sigma and the utility of the Panasonic. Like someone mentioned, that f/2.8 is pretty clutch if you actually get lucky with the aurora, but the cost is definitely a factor with the newer glass. If you're worried about the budget, there is a middle ground you might be missing. The Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary is a solid dark horse here. It is way cheaper, usually around 800 bucks, and much lighter for hiking around those windy cliffs. The main downside is that 28mm vs 24mm. It sounds like a small difference but for massive waterfalls like Skogafoss, you will be backing up a lot to get everything in frame. If you really want that 24mm wide end and f/2.8 without breaking the bank, honestly just look for the original Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art. It is the previous version but still totally pro-grade and weather sealed. You can find them used or even new for way under your 1300 limit now. It solves the low light issue for the aurora and gives you the weather sealing for the rain. To summarize the thread so far, it is a battle of light vs reach vs price. Tbh, if i were you, i would grab the older Art lens and spend the leftover money on a really good rain cover or a sturdy tripod. Iceland is brutal on gear so that extra protection is probably more important than the marginal sharpness of a Mark II lens anyway. Let me know if you need help finding a shop that can ship it to you fast before your flight.
Jumping in here... your trip sounds amazing but man, the gear stress is real. I actually had a similar situation when I went to the Lofoten Islands a few years back. I spent weeks analyzing the micro-contrast and edge-to-edge sharpness data for this one specific zoom I brought. I was so convinced the technical specs were perfect for the aurora. Then, on the second night, the zoom mechanism just froze solid because of the sub-zero temps and the salt spray from the coast. I ended up stuck with a bricked lens in the middle of a massive solar storm. It was a total hardware failure, basically a tolerances issue with the internal seals that looked fine on the spec sheet but couldnt handle the thermal expansion. Ngl it really changed how I look at build quality vs just looking at f-stops and sharpness graphs. Such a headache when you're in a rush like that...
TIL! Thanks for sharing
