Ive been shooting L-mount for years but since I got the S5II for a shoot in Portland next month my old glass just feels sluggish. Tried a Sigma but the AF keeps pulsing and its driving me nuts. What is the best all-around zoom lens for the Panasonic S5II that actually stays locked?
> The pulsing you're getting is usually a handshake issue between older Sigma firmware and the Panasonic Phase Hybrid system. Regarding what #1 said about the pulsing, unfortunately native glass has its own issues. I found the S Pro series kinda disappointing because they're just too bulky for travel. If you want a real all-arounder, I'd grab the Panasonic Lumix S 28-200mm f/4-7.1 MACRO O.I.S. instead. It isnt as fast as expected but it wont hunt and stays locked.
Quick question before I dig into the data... what kind of budget are we actually looking at here? Also, will you be doing much low light shooting in Portland? The S5II phase hybrid really sings with native glass, but you dont need to drop two grand to get it working right. From a technical standpoint, the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. is likely your best value choice. The lens features internal OIS that synchronizes with the S5II IBIS, providing much more stability for the AF system compared to third-party options. It is significantly more affordable than the f/2.8 glass. If you are on a strict budget, the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 is very cheap used and focuses instantly, tho the variable aperture is a trade-off. Let me know about the lighting conditions and I can provide more specific data.
The pulsing you're getting is usually a handshake issue between older Sigma firmware and the Panasonic Phase Hybrid system. To get the best AF-C performance on that body, you basically have to go native. I've been using the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f/2.8 and it's the most reliable zoom for that mount right now. Heres why it stays locked:
- It uses a dual motor system (linear and stepping motors) to drive the focus group, which eliminates the hunting you see on older lenses.
- The lens communicates with the S5II sensor at 480 fps, so the PDAF makes micro-adjustments instantly.
- Focus breathing is suppressed, which keeps the frame stable during tracking. If that f/2.8 is too bulky, look at the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S.. Both lenses are built to handle the new AF logic without that annoying pulsing.
