So I just got this new camera its a Lumix S5II because the guy at the shop said it was great for starting out but now I am totally lost on the lenses part. I want to do that thing where you walk around the city and take candid photos of people like street photography? I think thats what it is called. I am going to Chicago in three weeks for a vacation and I really want to have one good lens that doesnt zoom because I heard those are better for learning but I dont know what focal length means really. Someone told me to look at the L mount alliance thing which is super confusing is that just a brand or can I use any lens that says L on it?? I have like 600 or 700 dollars saved up for this after spending way too much on the camera body itself so I cant go crazy with those really expensive Leica ones I saw online... those are like the price of a used car.
I keep seeing people talk about 35mm and 50mm and I have no idea which one is better for just walking around. My main goals are:
- take pictures of cool architecture
- get some shots of people at coffee shops or walking
- not have a huge heavy setup
- stay under budget
I want to be able to get the buildings in the shot but also maybe some people without being too close to them because I am kinda shy and dont want to get in their face. Is there a lens that isnt too heavy? The camera already feels a bit heavy in my hands and I dont want to be lugging around a huge piece of glass all day while I am sightseeing. Im really sorry if this is a super basic question but everything I read online uses all these technical words like aperture and fast glass and I just want something that takes clear pretty pictures of the street life. Which prime lens is actually the best one to start with for an L-mount camera like mine?
> I keep seeing people talk about 35mm and 50mm and I have no idea which one is better for just walking around. The Lumix S5II is such an amazing choice for a first camera! You’re gonna have a fantastic time in Chicago with it. Since you mentioned being a bit shy and wanting to capture architecture alongside people, the 35mm focal length is absolutely the way to go. A 50mm lens is great for portraits but it often feels too tight when youre trying to fit a whole street corner or a massive skyscraper into the shot. I highly recommend the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 for your specific setup. It’s part of a series where the lenses are all the exact same size, so it wont feel like you're lugging a huge piece of glass around all day. It’s super sharp and fast—that f/1.8 number basically means it lets in a ton of light, which is perfect for indoor cafe shots or walking around at dusk. To clear up the L-mount confusion, it just means you can use lenses from Panasonic, Sigma, or Leica. Since Leica is super pricey, you should look at Sigma or Panasonic. The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is another incredible option that is made of metal and feels very high-end, but the Panasonic version is lighter. For a vacation where youre walking miles, keeping the weight down is key! This lens fits your budget perfectly and leaves you some cash for deep-dish pizza too.
Building on the earlier suggestion, you should really think about the total weight before you commit to a purchase. Since you mentioned the S5II already feels heavy, be careful with the standard sized primes. I would suggest the Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary instead. It is tiny and wont make the camera feel unbalanced while you are walking around Chicago. The 45mm focal length is a safe middle ground. It is wide enough for architecture if you step back, but tight enough that you dont have to be right in someones face. Just make sure to consider that f/2.8 is slower than some other options, so you might want to watch your settings in low light. It is a very reliable lens that stays way under your budget. Honestly, being comfortable while sightseeing is more important than having the biggest lens... you dont want to be miserable and sore by noon. Just make sure to get a decent filter to protect the glass from the city dust.
To add to the point above: I totally get being shy because I was the exact same way when I started shooting in big cities. I would suggest being careful with a 35mm if you are worried about getting too close to people. I found that a 50mm or even a 45mm gives you just enough breathing room so you dont feel like youre intruding on someones space at a coffee shop. You might want to consider these options for your Chicago trip:
- Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm f/1.8 - its very light, affordable, and matches your S5II perfectly.
- Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary - this one is tiny and makes the camera feel way less intimidating to people. Make sure to watch out for the weight. The S5II is a solid body but lugging a heavy lens for 8 hours of sightseeing will definitely hurt your wrists. These smaller primes are basically the sweet spot for weight and price... honestly you dont need the expensive glass yet to get clear shots.
Honestly i feel your pain with all the technical jargon... i remember getting my first real camera and feeling like everyone was speaking a different language. It is super frustrating when you just want to take a nice photo but you gotta learn a whole dictionary first just to buy a lens. The whole L-mount thing is way more confusing than it needs to be honestly. If you want something reliable that wont break the bank or get ruined by a bit of Chicago weather, i would suggest looking at these:
- Panasonic LUMIX S 50mm F1.8 - this one is super light and actually weather sealed so you dont have to worry if it starts drizzling while you are sightseeing.
- Sigma 24mm F3.5 DG DN Contemporary - its very small and great for those big skyscrapers if you find the 35mm too narrow for the architecture. Just be careful with the 24mm because it can make the buildings look a bit tilted if you arent holding the camera perfectly straight. Make sure to check if the lens you pick is weather sealed tho because Chicago can be unpredictable and you dont want your expensive new gear getting fried by a random rain shower... that would be a nightmare on vacation.
