Okay so I finally bit the bullet and got the Panasonic S5II because everyone says the autofocus is actually good now and I am so excited to finally start taking real photos!! But now I am staring at the screen looking at lenses and I am completely lost like actually zero clue what I am looking at lol. I am going to Japan in three weeks and I really just want one lens that can do everything because I dont want to be that person fumbling with a bag in the middle of Tokyo. My logic was that a zoom lens is better because it has more... zoominess? But there are so many numbers. I saw this 20-60mm one that comes with it but then people keep talking about a 24-105mm and then there is a Sigma 24-70 which sounds fancy but it is heavy maybe? I have about $1100 left in my budget after the camera body and I just want the best one that covers everything from buildings to people. Is f4 okay or do I need the 2.8 thing for when it gets dark at night? Sorry if this is a total noob question I just dont want to buy the wrong thing and regret it on my trip. Does one lens even exist that stays on the camera all the time or am I dreaming...
I dragged my gear all over Kyoto and the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS was an absolute lifesaver! The f/4 aperture is plenty because that sensor is amazing at high ISO. You definitely want that extra reach for zooming in on temple details!
- 24mm is perfect for cityscapes
- 105mm gets those gorgeous tight portraits
- Built-in stabilization is incredible Forget the heavy f/2.8 glass for a trip... your back will thank you after walking 10 miles.
TL;DR: Get the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for L-Mount if you want to save your back, or the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount for the best quality. Just saw this and had to jump in because I love Japan trips! If you are walking 20k steps a day in Tokyo, weight is literally everything. I swear by the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for L-Mount. It is super light and that f/2.8 aperture is a total lifesaver for those neon-lit streets at night. You lose a tiny bit of width (28mm vs 24mm) but honestly you wont notice most of the time. If you want the absolute sharpest shots and dont mind a heavy setup, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for L-Mount is fantastic. It is built like a tank and looks amazing. Since you have $1100, both fit your budget easily. Id go with the lighter one tho... more money for ramen!
I totally agree with the previous reply that a versatile zoom is the way to go for Tokyo.
- Having that extra reach is huge for street photography when you cant get close to the subject.
- A wider zoom range is great because it saves you from fumbling with bags in crowded subways. Honestly f4 is plenty for Japan since the sensor is so good in low light anyway.
