What is the best general-purpose prime lens for L-mount right now that wont break the bank? Ive been shooting with my Lumix S5 for about two years and I honestly love the colors, but Im getting tired of lugging around my heavy 24-70mm f/2.8 zoom for street photography and general travel stuff.
Im planning a trip to Japan in November and I really want something smaller and lighter that still delivers that crisp, professional look. My budget is probably around 600 to 800 bucks, give or take. Ive looked at the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary because it feels super solid, but then I keep hearing people rave about the Lumix 50mm f/1.8 for the price. Is the extra cash for the Sigma actually worth the build quality jump? Im honestly kinda torn between the 35mm or 50mm focal length for a one-lens setup. I do a bit of everything—landscapes, some portraits of my friends, and just random stuff I see walking around. It feels like I should just pull the trigger on one soon so I can practice before I leave, but I keep second-guessing myself. Any of you L-mount shooters regret your prime choice?
Re: > Is the extra cash for the Sigma... honestly, I get the dilemma! Just saw this thread and wanted to jump in. Before you commit, what do you usually find yourself shooting more of, landscapes or people? If you're really leaning towards that street photography vibe in Japan, the focal length is everything. I was super nervous about picking my first prime, so I went for the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f/1.8 because I love portraits. It's fantastic and feels great on the S5, but might be too tight for tight alleyways. Here is how I look at the other options right now:
- Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary
- This one is tiny! It is honestly amazing for travel. The build is premium metal, super compact, and the focus ring is smooth. It is not as fast as the f/1.8 lenses, but for general stuff, you won't even notice.
- Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8
- This is my backup plan. It's weather-sealed, which is huge if you are walking around Japan in potentially rainy weather, and it matches the size of the other Lumix primes perfectly. I love my gear to be reliable, so the weather sealing on the Lumix options really helps my peace of mind. Are you planning on doing any night shots, or mostly daytime travel stuff? The Sigma 45mm is so light that you'll forget it is on the camera, which is a massive win when you are walking for miles! Let me know what you think!
> Is the extra cash for the Sigma actually worth the build quality jump? Honestly, yes! I picked up the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary and the build is just incredible compared to the plasticky feel of the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8. That 35mm focal length is way more versatile for Japan trips than the 50mm, which felt too tight for me. Grab the Sigma, you wont regret the weight savings!
Same here!
Honestly, the gear game is just exhausting lately. I feel your pain with that massive 24-70mm lens, it is like carrying a brick around your neck all day. It drives me crazy how these companies pump out these huge, heavy optics and then charge a fortune for the privilege of needing a chiropractor after a vacation. Everything has gotten so expensive it is basically a scam at this point. You look at the prices now compared to a few years back and its just offensive. Half the time I feel like manufacturers dont even care about the actual photographers on the street, they just want to churn out more glass that costs a month of rent. Then you have to deal with the constant debate of build quality versus weight. Either you pay a premium for a piece of metal that makes your bag heavy again or you settle for plastic that feels like a toy. It never ends. I spent way too much time obsessing over specs and weather sealing, but at the end of the day, you just want to take a photo without dreading the weight. It is honestly ridiculous that we have to choose between quality optics and our sanity. Forget the gear for a second, just get something that lets you actually enjoy your trip to Japan. Don't let the marketing folks win by making you overthink every single gram.
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.