Finally moving over to the L-mount system with an S5II I just picked up for a trip to Japan next month but I am totally stuck on which zoom to grab for a one-lens setup. I have about 1300 bucks left in the budget. Right now im torn between the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 Art and the Panasonic 24-105mm f4. The constant f2.8 on the Sigma seems great for low light but the 24-105 has that extra reach and the dual IS which sounds nice for handheld video. I also looked at the lighter Sigma 28-70 but worry about losing that wide end for landscapes. If you had to pick one for a mix of street, portraits, and scenery which one is actually the better daily driver?
Regarding what #2 said about "I went through this same struggle before my last trip," I get the size appeal, but in my experience the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is the better investment. I've used it for years and that 24mm wide end is vital for Japans narrow streets. It's roughly $1100 now, which fits your budget perfectly, and you wont regret having f2.8 for portraits.
I went through this same struggle before my last trip and honestly, I am so satisfied with the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary. I had no complaints about the 28mm wide end in tight streets.
- It saved me roughly $500 compared to the bigger Art lens, basically paying for my hotels.
- At only 470g, its super light for walking around all day.
- f2.8 works well for dim night shots.
Id go with the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f4 Macro OIS.
- Better focal range
- Superior stabilization The f4 speed isnt an issue since the S5II has great high ISO performance.
My buddy told me the exact same thing last week. Guess he was right lol.
Re: "My buddy told me the exact same thing..."
- I totally get the stress! I was in the same boat before my big trip last year and its a tough choice. I am a bit of a stickler for reliability so I ended up choosing the one with the extra reach because I didnt want to risk missing a shot while swapping lenses in the wind. I love it! The extra range was amazing for those tight street shots and the stabilization is just fantastic. Honestly, I learned that for a one-lens setup, having that safety net of more focal range and a solid build is worth way more than a slightly wider aperture. I even rigged up a custom strap system myself to keep the weight balanced so it wouldnt strain the mount... I spent the whole time just enjoying the scenery instead of worrying about my gear or getting dust on the sensor. Best decision I ever made for my travel kit, it felt so much more reliable!
Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!
