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!
@Reply #6 - good point! Looking at what everyone has said so far, you are basically choosing between the Sigma 28-70 for weight, the Lumix 24-105 for that dual stabilization, or the Tamron as a middle ground. In my experience, Japan involves way more walking than people realize. I remember trekking through Shinjuku with a heavy setup years ago and by day three, I was so miserable I barely wanted to take the camera out. You really want to be present for the trip, not just focused on your sore shoulder. If you want the best reliability, I would look for the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art. It is the newer version and addresses almost everything you are worried about:
- It is significantly lighter and smaller than the original brick.
- They improved the AF motors so it works perfectly with the S5II phase detect.
- The weather sealing is top-tier for those rainy Tokyo nights. Since you are on a budget, maybe look for one used or just stick with the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 for the wide stuff and pack a Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 for low light. That combo is much safer for your back and covers all your bases.
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
Yep, this is the way
Interested in this too
Just saw this and had to jump in because you are gonna have an absolute blast in Japan!! Seriously, dont stress too much, the S5II is a beast. If you want that f/2.8 and weather sealing without carrying a literal rock around, you should look at these two instead:
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is finally out for L-mount and its honestly fantastic. Its super light, weather sealed, and the AF is silent for your vlogs.
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is the brand new version that fixed those old dust and AF pulsing issues people complained about with the Mark I. Its way slimmer too. I always check the L-Mount lens database or watch Dustin Abbotts reviews on YouTube before I buy anything big. They give you the real world breakdown on weight vs performance. The Tamron is gonna be way easier on your neck while walking around Shibuya all night and it fits your budget perfectly. Youre gonna get some killer shots, so stoked for your trip!
