i just bought the s5ii for my kids soccer games but i have no clue what lens to buy and honestly im kinda freaking out about the cost. i got like $1000 left and need one lens that does everything for a trip next month... sorry if this is stupid but whats the best zoom lens that covers everything?
Regarding what #1 said about "I've been shooting with the S5 series since..."
- I definitely see the appeal of that 28-200mm for travel convenience, but I'm gonna have to respectfully disagree on it being the best for soccer. That f/7.1 aperture at the long end is a real liability for sports. You need fast shutter speeds to freeze action, and slow glass makes that a total headache once the sun starts going down. I’d suggest looking at these instead for more reliability:
- Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S.
- This is the safe, professional bet. Constant f/4 means your exposure doesnt jump around while you're zooming in on the game. Its got great stabilization and the build quality is way more rugged for a trip. You can find these used for well under your $1000 limit.
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- This is the way to go if you want something light for your trip. The f/2.8 is huge for low light and lets you blur the background better to make the kids pop on the field, though you lose some reach.
- Sigma 100-400mm f/5-6.3 DG DN OS Contemporary
- If soccer is the main priority, 200mm is actually kinda short for full-frame. This gives you real reach to see the whole field, though it’s a bit bigger to lug around on vacation. Tbh, I’d grab the 24-105mm f/4. It’s a workhorse that wont let you down when you need consistent results.
Adding my two cents... honestly the Panasonic LUMIX S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is the way to go if you want a one-and-done setup that stays under a grand. You can find them used for about $700 or $800 which leaves you some breathing room. It covers 24mm for your trip photos and 105mm is decent for soccer if you're not sitting way back in the bleachers. The constant f/4 aperture is much better for keeping your shutter speed up during games compared to those variable aperture zooms. It also has great stabilization which helps a ton with shaky hands during travel videos. If 105mm feels a bit short, just remember the S5II has a solid crop mode you can use in a pinch. Its a total workhorse and probably the safest bet for your budget.
I've been shooting with the S5 series since launch and you might want to consider the Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 Macro O.I.S. for your trip. Just be careful with soccer games in the evening because it isnt great in low light...
- fits your $1000 budget easily
- covers wide and zoom ranges
- incredibly tiny for travel I would suggest checking used listings to save even more.
