What’s the best all-around zoom for the S5II right now? I saw the 20-60mm is tiny but people say the Sigma 24-70mm is better—actually they say it’s way better—for low light.
I'm going to Japan next month on a $1k budget. Is the Sigma weight worth the f2.8 or is there something else...?
Honestly, I really wanted to love the Panasonic LUMIX S 20-60mm f3.5-5.6 because of the size. I took it on a trip to Kyoto last year and unfortunately, it was such a letdown once the sun started setting. The f/5.6 on the long end is basically useless for night street shots. I ended up with so much grain that I barely kept any photos... not what you want in Japan. Then I tried the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount but man, that thing is a brick. Its heavy and honestly I had issues with dust getting behind the front element on my copy. If you want something better than the kit lens without the weight, check the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary. Its way lighter and fits your $1k budget. Having f2.8 is way more important than 4mm of width for those Tokyo neon nights.
Unfortunately, I had a rough time hauling the Sigma Art through Tokyo. It just wasnt as good as expected for travel... my neck was killing me. I checked some comparison charts on DPReview and grabbed the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary for L-Mount. Its much lighter, fits your $1k budget, and still hits that f2.8 for night shots in Shinjuku.
Man, Japan is gonna be absolutely incredible! I went there a few years ago and honestly, the lighting in those tiny alleyways is tricky but so worth it. Before you drop your cash, are you planning on mostly shooting architecture or are you doing a lot of portraits of people you're traveling with? That changes everything.
- Honestly, just stick to something from Sigma or Panasonic.
- You really cant go wrong with any of their glass if you find a good deal.
- Don't sweat the specs too much, focus on what fits your bag. I really think you should look at some used gear shops to save your budget for more ramen and experiences. Just grab a versatile zoom from either of those brands and you'll be fine. Have a blast!
Just catching up on this thread. Choosing glass for Japan is a total balancing act because you are constantly walking between tight indoor spaces and wide city streets. I once spent a full week lugging a heavy constant-aperture beast around Osaka, and by day three, I was basically debating if the extra stop of light was worth the physical fatigue. Are you prioritizing the reach for street details or the wide end for those cramped shrines? Also, how often are you planning to shoot handheld versus setting up on a tripod for longer exposures at night?
