Re: "Honestly, I'm really happy with the Sigma 28-70mm..."

• I looked at the data and the weight diff is wild. 470g vs 835g is huge for a long day. But quick tip: the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary isnt fully weather sealed. Since you are in Seattle, pack a rain cover. I learned that the hard way during a drizzly shoot last year... total stress fest. Its a great value tho.

Honestly, I'm really happy with the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It works well for long days. So light compared to the Art version. No complaints on the sharpness either. It's well under your budget too, which is a nice bonus. Tbh, if you want f/2.8 without carrying a brick for that wedding, this is the way to go... it wont let you down.

Re: "Re: "Honestly, I'm really happy with the Sigma..." - "

• Any pro Lumix glass has better IP ratings for sealing.
• Renting saves cash so dont buy. Went to a wedding in Seattle once and the rain destroyed my shoes. Food was decent tho. Anyway.

I would suggest being really careful about prioritizing weight for a wedding in the PNW. I remember shooting a drizzly outdoor ceremony once and thinking my lighter zoom was tough enough, but moisture got into the barrel and the autofocus just died right as the ceremony started. It was a total nightmare and I felt like a complete amateur. Make sure to check if the lens has a proper rubber gasket at the mount at the very least. If it doesnt, you're basically playing with fire in that Seattle weather. Honestly, id rather deal with a sore shoulder from a heavy, fully sealed lens than have to tell a couple I missed the big moments because my gear fogged up internally. Just something to keep in mind... light gear is great until it stops working mid-shoot.

To add to the point above: I really have to agree that weather sealing isnt something to gamble on, especially for a paid gig in a place like Seattle. I remember doing a coastal shoot a few years back where I chose a lighter, cheaper zoom from a third-party brand because I was tired of my heavy pro glass. It was a mistake. The mist was constant and unfortunately the seals just werent up to the task. The lens started behaving erratically and eventually the electronics just gave up. It really let me down when I needed it most. I ended up having to buy a whole new lens when I got home because the repair cost wasnt worth it. Its frustrating because the lighter lens was so much more comfortable to use, but the lack of true professional-grade sealing made it a liability. Now I just suck it up and carry the heavier, better-built options from the main manufacturer because I cant trust the budget-friendly stuff in the rain anymore. I've found the native glass consistently outperforms the third-party alternatives when things get wet, even if the price and weight are harder to swallow. Sucks that we have to choose between our backs and our gear surviving, but thats the reality of shooting in the PNW.