i just bought a panasonic s5ii and i literally have no idea what i am doing sorry if this is a super basic question. it says it uses an l mount but there are so many brands and numbers like 24-70 or 24-105 and it is all very confusing to me.
im going to my sisters wedding in tuscany this july and i really just want one lens that can stay on the camera the whole time so i dont miss anything. i have about 1100 dollars to spend maybe a bit more if it is worth it. what is the best all around zoom lens that i should get for this thing? like what is the one i can just leave on and never take off?
I've found many L-mount zooms unfortunately bulky or overpriced for what they offer. If you're on a budget for this wedding, look at these:
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is lighter than the Art series and stays well under $1100.
- Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. has better range, but that f/4 aperture is not as good as expected for dim receptions.
Adding my two cents because I was in your shoes last summer. I ended up grabbing the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for a big trip and honestly, I have been super happy with it. No complaints. It is a bit of a tank, but the image quality is so sharp it is totally worth the extra weight. Technical detail: that f/2.8 constant aperture is huge for weddings because it lets in way more light than the f/4 options. It really helps keep your shutter speed up when people start dancing and the lights go down. Quick tip: definitely practice with the eye-autofocus settings before you go. Are you thinking of doing much video too, or just photos? It makes a big difference for which lens feels right. Personally, I have found that 24mm is way better for those wide shots of the Italian landscape than 28mm.
Saw this earlier but just now responding. Honestly, the struggle with gear weight in the L-mount system is just exhausting. I spent years lugging around massive kits for destination gigs and my back still hates me for it. It's so frustrating when you want a versatile setup but end up feeling like you're carrying a lead brick all day in the heat. Tuscany in July is gonna be brutal if your gear is too heavy... ive been there and it honestly sucks. In my experience, you have to prioritize reliability or you will regret it halfway through the ceremony. I would look at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art. It is slightly over your 1100 budget at around 1200, but it is lighter than the original version and they fixed the dust sealing issues. If you really want a lens you never have to take off, the Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 Macro O.I.S. is a beast for travel because it is so tiny for that zoom range. It is a bit slow for dark rooms, but for a summer wedding in Italy, it is a very practical choice. I would go with the Sigma II tho, just for that f/2.8 when the sun goes down.
Ive tried many setups over the years and I always worry about weight.
- Are you shooting inside a dark church?
- How heavy of a lens can you handle all day?
+1
