Leaving for a Japan trek next week and I just realized my usual prime kit is gonna be a total disaster for the fast pace. I've always shot fixed focal lengths but I need a solid L-mount zoom now. Is the 24-90 too heavy for all-day hiking or should I stick with the 24-70?
I'm really happy with the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-70mm f/2.8 ASPH. It's much lighter for hiking and works well for my needs. The 24-90 is honestly just too heavy.
To add to the point above: honestly, I was pretty disappointed with the Leica Vario-Elmarit-SL 24-90mm f/2.8-4 ASPH after a few days of trekking. The image quality is obviously top-tier, but the ergonomics... ugh. It is basically a glass brick. If you are doing a Japan trek, you are gonna be doing like 20k steps a day. Carrying that beast is a recipe for a bad time. I tried it on a similar trip and ended up leaving it in the hotel room most days which is just a waste of money tbh. If you want to keep the weight down without losing that L-mount versatility, you should look at these instead:
- Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS
- This is actually my favorite travel lens. Having that extra reach to 105mm is way more useful in busy cities than f/2.8 is, and the dual stabilization is rock solid.
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for L-Mount
- If you absolutely need f/2.8, this is the lightest option out there. It is tiny compared to the Leica glass.
- Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6
- Do not sleep on this one. It is cheap and light, but that 20mm wide end is incredible for tight shrines and narrow streets. Definitely check out the comparison charts on the L-Mount Alliance website or the reviews over at DPReview before you drop the cash. Technical specs like weight distribution matter more than the red dot when you are hiking all day. Let me know if you need more info on the Panasonic 24-105, it is really underrated imo.
Had a moment to think about this more, and honestly, if you're worried about weight, have you looked into the Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary? I took that on a trip through Kyoto last year and it was a total lifesaver. It is noticeably smaller than the Leica glass, which makes a huge difference when you're weaving through crowded temples all day. Be careful though, you lose a little bit of that wide-angle reach compared to the 24mm options. If you need that extra bit for landscapes, maybe bring the Sigma 16-28mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary as a backup. It's super light and fits in a jacket pocket. Just make sure to check your pack weight before you leave, Japan train stations involve way more stairs than you think! Check out the LensRumors site for comparison charts before you pull the trigger on anything.
