Man I just picked up the S5II last week and I leave for my Japan trip in literally ten days and I am still stuck on what lens to actually bring as my main one. I keep reading that the kit 20-60mm is actually decent because it is so wide but then I see people saying the f/3.5-5.6 is basically useless once the sun goes down or if I want any kind of bokeh. Then there is the Sigma 24-70 Art which everyone says is the gold standard but its so heavy and I read some stuff about the older versions having dust issues or the AF pulsing a bit on the new phase detect system?? I dont know if thats even true or if the S5II fixed all that.
I need something that can handle everything from street stuff to some vlogging and maybe a few professional headshots if I can squeeze them in while I'm out there.
- Budget is around $1100 max, used is totally fine
- Needs to be fast enough for low light (f2.8 ideally?)
- Not a total brick to carry around all day
- Weather sealing since it might rain in Tokyo
Should I just go for the Sigma or is there something better like that new 28-200? But that one seems slow too. Or maybe the Lumix 24-105 f4 for the constant aperture? I am totally lost and running out of time to order and get it delivered before my flight...
Yo! Just saw this thread. Japan is literally the best place for street photography! Quick question before you pull the trigger tho... are you gonna be doing mostly handheld vlogging or will you have a gimbal with you? If youre going handheld, the Dual I.S. on the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is absolutely insane for smooth footage. Plus you can find them used for a total steal right now!
Japan is gonna be incredible! Tbh the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is amazing but it's a total brick for travel. Look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary instead! It's way lighter and fits your budget perfectly. Quick question tho, are you doing handheld walking vlogs or is it mostly stationary stuff? That makes a massive difference for what your wrists can handle!
Ive been shooting for a long time and honestly, over the years Ive learned that gear reliability is the only thing that actually matters when youre traveling. I took my Panasonic Lumix S1 to Osaka a few years back and it survived a literal typhoon, though my other gear didnt fare as well.
- My boots fell apart after three days of walking
- I lost my favorite lens cap in a drain in Shinjuku
- I found the best katsudon place in a basement near the station That restaurant was so small you could barely fit three people inside but the chef had this amazing collection of vintage jazz records playing on a tiny turntable. We actually talked for like an hour about Coltrane while he was prepping the pork. Its funny how those random moments end up being the highlights of the whole trip rather than the photos you actually went there to take... anyway lol sorry kinda went off topic there
Interested in this too
