Honestly im just so fed up with this heavy zoom lens i have been lugging around my S5II for the last six months. It just draws way too much attention when im trying to shoot candid street scenes here in Chicago and its honestly making me anxious every time i pull the camera out because people just stare at the giant lens barrel. Im tired of missing shots because the setup is too clunky and slow to deploy. My budget is around 800 bucks and i really need something small and sharp by the end of next month for a trip to Tokyo since i dont want to look like a total tourist with a massive rig.
- Needs to be compact for stealthy shooting
- Fast autofocus is a must because street stuff is so fleeting
- Sharpness matters but character is good too
Ive been looking at the Sigma 35mm f/2 and the Lumix 35mm f/1.8 but im worried the Sigma might be a bit too slow on the AF side or maybe the Lumix feels too plasticky? I just want something that disappears on the body so i can actually enjoy walking around without my wrist hurting. If anyone has experience with these or maybe another L-mount prime that handles well for street work please let me know before i lose my mind...
Honestly, I tried the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary for a few weeks but unfortunately had issues with the focus tracking keeping up in crowds. It felt premium but just wasn't as good as expected for fast street work. I switched to the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 and its way more reliable. It feels a bit light, sure, but it never misses a shot. Definitely go with the Lumix if you want to avoid missing those Tokyo moments.
Just saw this thread and honestly, if you want something that basically vanishes on the body for Tokyo, you might want to consider the Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. It is incredibly sharp but the focal length is tighter than what you mentioned, so be careful with framing in narrow alleys.
- The build quality is metal and top-notch
- Autofocus is snappy for the S5II
- Manual aperture ring is a game changer for street I used it for a week in Shibuya and it never felt like a burden.
Been thinking about your search for a stealthy street rig since I saw your post earlier. I went through a whole phase of trying to find the perfect street prime for my S5II, but honestly, it was a mess of trial and error. I bought the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary hoping for that classic look, but the aperture ring feel was kinda mushy and I unfortunately had some back-focusing issues that ruined a few shots in low light. It just felt like the gear was fighting me when I needed it most. If you want something that actually stays out of your way and snaps into focus without being a total brick, look at these instead:
- Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is popular but if you want that extra bit of speed and reliability, honestly just stick to native glass.
- Panasonic Lumix S 24mm f/1.8 is shockingly small and the extra width is great for dense city crowds if you get close enough.
- Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary has tons of character if you prefer a tighter framing, though it's a bit more niche. I really wish I had better luck with the third-party stuff, but for a trip to Tokyo, you really dont want your autofocus hunting while you're trying to capture those fleeting moments. The native lenses just handle the AF transitions so much smoother. Dont risk it with something that might act up on you halfway across the world.