Ive been shooting with my Lumix S5 for a few years now, mostly sticking to the 50mm f/1.8 prime because its light and sharp. Recently though, I started doing more street stuff in downtown Chicago and realized that swapping lenses or just zooming with my feet is getting real old. I really want something more versatile for those candid moments where things happen in a blink. Im trying to find a solid L-mount walkaround lens that doesnt turn my camera into a brick. Budget-wise, Im looking to stay under 1200 bucks if possible since I have a trip to Europe coming up next month and need to save for that. The Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 looks tempting because of the size, but part of me wonders if I should just hold out for something with a bit more reach like the 24-105mm, even though its way slower. Honestly, the weight of the 24-105 is my main concern for all-day carrying. Does anyone here have experience with the 28-70 for street photography specifically, or is there another sleeper lens I should be looking at? Just need something that handles decent contrast and doesnt hunt too much in low light...
Honestly, the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is pretty much the king of street walkarounds for L-mount. In my experience, dragging around a big 24-105mm all day just burns you out, especially in a place like Chicago where you're constantly on the move. I've tried many setups over the years, and the weight difference here is massive. The 28-70 hits that sweet spot where you get the constant f/2.8 aperture for low light, which helps a ton with autofocus acquisition compared to a variable aperture lens. I took this exact combo to Europe last year and barely felt the strap on my shoulder. You lose a little bit of the wide end compared to 24mm, but for street candids, the size-to-performance ratio is honestly unbeatable. Stick with the compact setup and save the extra cash for your trip.
Jumping in here because you really need to be careful with your budget before that Europe trip. Carrying heavy gear all day is a nightmare, but have you considered the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6? It is super light and covers a wider angle for those tight city shots. Before you pull the trigger, how much do you actually shoot in dim lighting? That might change whether you need the constant f/2.8 zoom.
Just catching up on this thread. After years of testing glass, weight management is everything for street work. Honestly, stay away from the heavy zooms. In my experience, stick with a fast constant aperture zoom from Sigma or Panasonic. They handle low light much better than variable apertures. Just pick a reliable brand standard zoom and you wont regret the extra reach. It keeps your setup balanced without killing your back.