Finally pulled the trigger and got a Lumix S5II last week, super pumped to get shooting! Im planning a trip to Japan in November and I really need a solid general purpose lens that I can just leave on the body for 90% of my time there. I dont want to be swapping glass in the middle of a busy street in Tokyo, you know? Im trying to keep the budget under 1k if possible, maybe a bit more if its worth it.
So Ive been doing a ton of research and honestly my brain is melting a bit. I keep seeing people rave about the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 because its so light and compact, which is tempting for travel, but then I read a bunch of threads saying the Lumix 24-105mm f/4 is the ultimate Swiss Army knife because of that extra reach on the long end. My logic was that I might miss the wide angle if I go for a 28mm start, but then again is f/4 gonna cut it for low light in the evenings?
I also looked into that Lumix 20-60mm kit lens since its super cheap now, but Im worried it wont be sharp enough or fast enough for what I want. Im basically torn between getting that extra stop of light with the Sigma or just leaning into the versatility of the f/4 zoom. Has anyone here taken one of these on a serious trip? Im mostly doing street photography and some landscape stuff, nothing too crazy professional but I want those files to look sharp when I get home. Am I overthinking the f/4 vs f/2.8 thing or should I just prioritize the range? Getting kinda stressed cause my flight is in six weeks and I need to get this ordered soon...
Adding my two cents here, I have been shooting L-mount since the S1 launched and honestly, you are definitely overthinking the aperture vs range debate. When I hit the streets in Kyoto last autumn, I actually carried the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS and honestly, it was the best decision ever. Having that extra 24mm on the wide end makes a massive difference for cramped shrines and city alleyways compared to starting at 28mm. Here is my take on the setup:
- The f/4 aperture is totally fine since the S5II has such good high ISO performance.
- You get that sweet macro capability which is killer for food shots in tiny izakayas.
- The stabilization in that lens combined with the body IBIS makes handheld night shots at slow shutter speeds super easy. If you really crave the f/2.8 for bokeh, you could always snag a cheap prime later like the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 to throw in your bag. It is tiny and lets you get those dreamy portrait shots without the weight of a heavy zoom. I have zero complaints about the sharpness of the 24-105mm; it is plenty crisp for travel prints. Just grab it and go, you will be happy you have the extra reach for those temple details when you cannot get any closer.
Totally agree with the others, range is king when youre walking around Shinjuku all day. If you want a bit more punch without breaking the bank, consider the Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art. It hits that sweet spot of being fast enough for night shots but still wide enough for those tight Tokyo alleys.
- It is a bit heavier than the 28-70 but the build quality is insane.
- You really appreciate the extra 4mm on the wide end compared to the 28mm options when shooting architecture.
- Honestly, if you can stretch the budget, it is the last zoom you will need for a long time. I used it for a trip last summer and was super happy with the sharpness. Dont stress about the lens swap, just grab a solid strap and start shooting!
I brought a zoom to Tokyo last year and learned that range matters way more than aperture for street shots. I personally prefer flexibility over speed for travel.
