What prime lens should I actually get for street stuff on my S5II because I am honestly losing my mind looking at reviews. Ive narrowed it down to the Lumix 35mm f1.8 and the Sigma 35mm f2 but everyone says something different. Some reviewers say the Panasonic is a no-brainer for the autofocus but then others say the Sigma has way better rendering and build.
I have a trip to Tokyo in two weeks and my budget is strictly $600 so I dont have room for mistakes. I need something fast for night shots in Shinjuku but not so heavy it kills my neck. Is the Sigma aperture ring worth the weight or should I just stick to the native glass?
Been thinking... @Reply #1 - good point! Be careful, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is dense. I've regretted heavy setups in Shinjuku before. Metal builds feel nice but might strain your neck.
@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly tho, I disagree that the Lumix is the only safe bet here. I spent weeks trekking through Shinjuku and realized that the manual aperture ring on the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary is actually a huge safety feature. It stops you from accidentally bumping your exposure settings in the dark, which happens more than youd think when you are weaving through crowds. Ive tried the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f1.8 and while its light, the build feels a bit delicate for a busy city trip. I once dropped a plastic-bodied lens in a crowded Tokyo station and it was a total disaster. The Sigma feels solid enough to survive a bump. You can usually find it for around $500 too, which leaves room for extra Panasonic DMW-BLK22 Battery packs. TL;DR: The Sigma is more reliable for travel. Metal build and physical rings mean fewer mistakes when shooting fast at night.
Like someone mentioned, choosing between these two is driving me crazy too. Over the years I have shot with almost every system, but I have been stuck trying to make this exact decision for my own upcoming travel shoot for the last month. In my experience, it is incredibly frustrating trying to find a definitive answer on this because the reviews are just so conflicted, and I still have no idea which one is going to be more reliable for a fast-paced trip.
I picked up the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 and been really happy with how it performs. For a Tokyo trip, you definitely want to keep it light.
- Native AF is super fast for quick snaps
- Weather sealing helps for rainy nights
- Easy on the budget and your neck The Lumix works well for travel. Let me know if you need more info on the setup!
Can confirm
