I am honestly so over this 24-105mm kit lens. I thought it would be the perfect do everything glass for my Lumix S5II but the autofocus just hunts constantly in low light and that f4 is really killing me for indoor shots. I was at my sisters engagement party last weekend in Jersey and I missed like half the candid moments because it just wouldnt lock on fast enough and now im panicking because I have a small wedding shoot coming up in three weeks and I dont trust this setup at all. I need something that can handle everything from portraits to wider shots without me having to swap lenses every five minutes because that just stresses me out too much. Im looking for something with a constant aperture if possible. My budget is capped at around 1200 dollars since I just spent a fortune on the body and some lights recently. Ive been looking at the Sigma 24-70 but then I see people talking about dust issues and then there is the Leica stuff which is way out of my league price wise. Is the 28-70 worth it or should I just bite the bullet and get something else entirely? I just need one lens that I can leave on the camera and not worry about it failing me when the lighting gets tricky...
Honestly, i think you should just go for the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount. I know you mentioned the dust thing but that was mostly an issue with the very first batches from years ago and they fixed the weather sealing since then. I have been using mine for over a year in some pretty messy environments and it is still pristine. That extra 4mm on the wide end compared to a 28mm is a huge deal when you are stuck in a corner at a wedding trying to get the whole family in the frame. The autofocus on the S5II works so well with this lens because of the phase detect. It stops that annoying hunting you are seeing with the kit lens. I am super happy with mine and it basically never leaves my camera body.
- The f/2.8 is obviously the biggest win for those dim reception halls.
- It has a physical aperture ring which is nice for quick adjustments on the fly.
- The build quality is way more professional than the kit lens or the lighter 28-70. If you want the absolute best and can hit that $1200 limit exactly, look at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art for L-Mount. It is even lighter and has a faster linear motor for the AF system. Seriously, dont panic about the wedding. Either version of that Sigma will handle it way better than the f/4 glass you have now. Just get it soon so you can get used to the extra weight before the shoot starts! Youll be fine once you see how much better the low light performance is.
I've been extremely satisfied with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for L-mount. It handles tricky lighting way better than the kit lens because the focus motor is just faster and more reliable for candid stuff.
- f/2.8 aperture is a lifesaver indoors
- Stays under your $1200 budget
- No complaints about weight It works well and honestly you'll have money left for extra batteries too...
Honestly, I went through this exact same spiral when I first got into the L-mount system a couple years back. That 24-105 is okay for hiking in broad daylight, but f4 for an indoor wedding? Absolute nightmare fuel. In my experience, you really need that f/2.8 if you want to stop worrying about AF hunting in the dark. Ive tried many zooms over the years and honestly, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount is the king for a reason. Dont let those old forum threads about dust scare you off too much. Most of those issues were from the very first batches and Sigma fixed the seals a long time ago. I have been beating mine up for nearly two years now and haven't seen a single speck inside the glass. If you can stretch the budget slightly, the newer Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art just launched and it is even sharper with faster motors. It should fall right around your 1200 dollar cap. The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is okay if you want something light, but for a wedding, you are gonna miss that extra 4mm on the wide end for those big room shots. Just grab the 24-70 Art. It balances way better on the S5II anyway and the build quality feels like it actually belongs on a pro body... plus it wont fail you when the lights go down and things get hectic during the reception.
