Finally grabbed the S5II because I needed that phase detect for video but now Im stuck on what to bring for a Tokyo shoot next month. My logic was the 24-105mm f4 for that Dual IS but f4 kinda scares me for night street stuff. Then I looked at the Sigma 24-70 Art but man it feels like a brick to carry all day.
I usually shoot primes but I need one do-it-all zoom for this trip since I'm traveling light. Budget is around $1500 and I'm really torn between the extra reach vs the faster aperture. Does the S5II sensor handle the f4 well enough to skip the f2.8 weight?
> Does the S5II sensor handle the f4 well enough to skip the f2.8 weight? I would suggest being careful with f4 in Tokyo. Last year I took Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. to Osaka and the grain in those narrow alleys was pretty rough. Honestly, the S5II is good but it isnt magic. Might want to consider the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art instead. It is way lighter than the old version and saves your night shots.
Re: "> Does the S5II sensor handle the f4..." - honestly, I would suggest being careful with f4 if youre planning on doing a lot of handheld night shooting. I brought a slow zoom to Shibuya once and ended up hating half my shots because the ISO was through the roof just to keep my shutter speed up. If you're worried about the weight and the budget, you might want to consider the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary L-Mount. It is way lighter than the Art version and usually hundreds cheaper, leaving you plenty of cash for sushi and stuff. I bought mine second-hand and it basically never leaves my S5II now. It doesnt have the 24mm wide end, so make sure to keep that in mind for those tight alleys, but having f2.8 at that weight is a total lifesaver when youre walking 10 miles a day... trust me on that one.
@Reply #2 - good point! Tokyo is stunning at night but f4 is a struggle in those dim backstreets. In my experience, you really need that extra stop for street work. I recommend looking at the fast Panasonic options. They provide the most reliable stabilization for video work.
- Renting is a smart way to test the weight
- Buying used saves cash for the trip Stick with Panasonic and youll be fine.
