Forget the idea that you made a mistake. The S5II is a beast. Honestly, if you want one lens that actually performs without killing your wrists, you need to look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. I have used this lens for years on L-mount bodies and the weight savings compared to the standard f/2.8 glass is massive. It weighs just 470g, which is a lifesaver when you are walking around all day. Technically speaking, that 28-70mm range covers your bases for street photography and architecture. While it is not as wide as a 20mm or 24mm, the optical performance is crisp, and you get a constant f/2.8 aperture. Most super-zooms that push into the 200mm range are variable aperture lenses, meaning your shutter speed has to drop significantly as you zoom in. That leads to blurry shots if you are not careful. With the Sigma, you get consistent light intake across the entire zoom range. If you absolutely need more reach, you can always crop in post since your S5II has a solid sensor. It is way better to have a sharp, bright lens than something that tries to do everything and gives you mushy corners. Grab that, put it on your camera, and enjoy Italy. You wont regret the portability.

> I just want one lens that can do everything so I dont have to carry a bag full of glass Honestly, the one-lens-does-it-all approach is a trap. I had issues with that mindset during my last trip; the image quality just drops off significantly at the far ends. Unfortunately, you wont find a single perfect lens that fits your budget without compromising on sharpness. Your best bet for Italy is the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6. It is lightweight and great for buildings, though it lacks reach. If you really need that zoom range, look into the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is sharper and consistent, but you lose the wide angle. Dont expect miracles from a budget zoom lens, they are rarely as good as expected compared to prime glass.

> Regarding what #2 said about Forget the idea that you made a mistake. The S5II is a beast. Absolutely true! That camera is a total powerhouse, especially for travel. I remember hauling a massive kit through Rome years ago and my back was completely destroyed by day two, so you are definitely making the right call keeping it light. Honestly, just look into a versatile standard zoom from one of the big third-party manufacturers. I switched over to a general-purpose variable aperture lens from Sigma years ago and it completely changed my travel workflow. You really dont need to overthink the specs right now. Just grab a lightweight zoom from Tamron or even Sigma and go enjoy Italy! Theyre fantastic, super sharp, and wont break your wrists or your budget. Have an amazing trip!

Stumbled upon this thread and honestly, take a deep breath. You didnt make a mistake with that body, its a solid choice for travel. But before you drop more cash, how much do you actually value the wide angle stuff compared to the zoom? If you are shooting narrow alleys in Italy versus sweeping plazas, that changes everything.

• Look into third-party options from Sigma or Tamron if you want to save some cash without sacrificing too much quality.
• Dont stress about the jargon, just look for something that feels balanced in your hand.
• Make sure you check if the lens has built-in stabilization since you mentioned your wrists act up. I dragged a heavy kit through Florence once and ended up barely using half of it because I was too exhausted. My best advice is to grab a versatile zoom from one of the major third-party guys and just stick with it. Just be careful about buying used gear if you arent sure what to look for regarding scratches, as you dont want to deal with that right before your flight.

Dont panic, you picked a killer camera. L-mount is just the type of metal ring where the lens attaches to the body, so as long as the lens says L-mount, itll fit perfectly. Since you need to walk those streets without your wrists dying, skip anything that looks like a tank. Most people make the mistake of buying huge, heavy professional zooms thinking they need them for travel, but you really just want something compact with a decent range. Stick to lenses that have a variable aperture if you want to keep costs down, since those constant f/2.8 ones get pricey and heavy fast. Also, watch out for lenses that dont have built-in stabilization if you plan on shooting handheld, as you will definitely notice the shake when you are zooming in. Just look for something in the 24mm to 105mm range if you can find a good deal. It covers basically everything youd see in Italy. Just check the weight specs before you click buy, because even a few hundred grams makes a massive difference after six hours of sightseeing.

Just catching up on this thread now. Honestly, you guys are spot on about not overpacking. Like someone mentioned, the weight of your kit totally ruins the trip if you arent careful. I actually went to Florence last year with a heavy setup that looked great on paper but was an absolute nightmare to lug around. My wrists were killing me by lunch and I ended up missing shots because I was just too tired to lift the camera. I really wish I had known that earlier. It was such a bummer to have all this expensive gear and realize it was just making me miserable instead of letting me enjoy the scenery. Now I try to keep my current setup as stripped down as humanly possible, even if that means losing a bit of versatility. Dont feel like you need the biggest lens to get the shot, because the best camera is the one you actually feel like carrying. Just grab something light and enjoy the pasta!