So I finally bit the bullet and grabbed an S5II last week after shooting with an old G85 for years. I'm taking a big trip to Kyoto and Tokyo in about three weeks and I really want to just bring one lens that can handle pretty much everything. I dont want to be that guy constantly swapping glass in the middle of a crowded street or making my wife wait while I faff around with a camera bag.
I have the 20-60mm kit lens right now but I feel like the long end is gonna leave me wanting more especially for some of the architecture stuff. I am really torn between two main options right now:
- Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 Contemporary
- Panasonic 24-105mm f4 Macro
The Sigma is super tempting because it's so tiny and I love the idea of that extra stop of light for night markets and dim temples. But then the 24-105 has that extra reach and the Dual IS which people rave about for handheld video. My budget is capped at like $900 or maybe $1000 max so I'm looking at used markets mostly. I also considered the Sigma 24-70 Art but honestly it looks way too heavy to lug around for 10 miles a day.
If you had to pick just one for a general travel and street setup which way would you lean?
Building on the earlier suggestion, I honestly love my Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary! Its so tiny for Kyoto and amazing at night. Grab it used for a total steal!
I have been shooting L-mount for a few years now and honestly, if you are headed to Kyoto, you want the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S.. I have been incredibly satisfied with mine since the original S1 days and it basically lives on my S5II now. It is the definition of a workhorse lens and I have zero complaints about the image quality or the build.
- The Dual IS 2 is no joke. I can handhold half-second shots at night in those dim temples which makes that f4 aperture way less of an issue than you might think.
- 24mm vs 28mm is a massive difference in those tight Kyoto alleys or when you are trying to frame a massive gate. You will definitely miss the wide end if you go with the Sigma.
- Having 105mm for architectural detail shots on those temple roofs is something you just wont get with a standard zoom.
- The macro capability is super handy for food shots or flower details while walking through the Gion district. I checked used prices recently and you can easily find a clean copy for around $700 or $800 which fits your budget perfectly. While the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary is lighter, it feels a bit cramped for a once-in-a-lifetime trip. The Panasonic just works well for everything and the extra reach is worth the few extra grams. Enjoy Japan, its basically a photographers dream playground.
