Im heading to Japan in about three weeks and I am honestly starting to panic a bit because my current setup just isnt cutting it for travel. Im shooting on an S5II and I really need one lens that can handle landscapes and some street stuff without me having to swap glass constantly. I checked out the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN II and it seems pretty legendary but then I read a bunch of threads saying the focus breathing on the older one was bad and Im not sure if the new one is worth the extra cash or if I should just grab the Lumix 24-105mm for the extra reach. That one has OIS which sounds nice but the aperture is way slower and I really love shooting in lower light at night. My budget is around 1200 bucks give or take and I dont really want to carry a massive brick if I can avoid it. Does anyone actually use the Lumix 24-105 for street or is it just too dark? Im so torn between the reach and the aperture and my trip is coming up fast...
Had a moment to think about this more and honestly, you should check out the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is way smaller than the bulky 24-70s and keeps that fast aperture you want for Tokyo nights!
- Super light for walking all day
- Really sharp for the price
- Saves you cash for more food Honestly, the extra space in my bag made a huge difference on my last trip. You wont regret the weight savings!
If you need speed but hate weight, look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is way more manageable for long street walks than the 24-70mm monsters. Just be careful with the 28mm wide end since it misses that ultra-wide landscape feel.
- Pack a small tripod for those night shots
- Check your bags before flying
- Consider a compact prime like the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 if the zoom isn't fast enough at night.
> Does anyone actually use the Lumix 24-105 for street or is it just too dark? Honestly, I love my Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. for travel! If you are hitting Japan, that extra 35mm of reach is a total lifesaver for street details you cant get close to. Sure, f/4 isnt the best for low light, but the OIS is fantastic and lets you drag that shutter speed way more than you think. I use mine all the time at night with my S5II and the stabilization basically makes up for the aperture gap in most scenarios! Its way lighter than the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art too, which saves your shoulders during those long days walking around Tokyo. Grab the Lumix and thank me later!
