Ive been shooting with my SL2 for a few months now and honestly Im loving the sensor but my bank account is really feeling the sting of these native lenses. Im trying to put together a travel kit for a trip to Japan in November and I really want a decent prime lens that wont cost as much as my actual camera body. My budget is probably around 800 to 1200 dollars max because I still have to pay for flights and hotels and stuff.
I spent all last night digging through forums and Reddit threads. I read that the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is basically the gold standard for L-mount value and a bunch of people swear by its sharpness. Then I saw a few guys saying the Lumix 50mm f/1.8 is the best budget king because its tiny and weather-sealed. The thing is, I cant decide if I should go for the absolute best glass quality or just grab something lightweight that I wont be terrified to carry around Tokyo all day. Im worried the Sigma might be a bit too bulky for street photography even if the IQ is great, and Im not sure if the Panasonic f/1.8 lenses are sharp enough for the high res sensor on the SL2 or if Im just overthinking it. Theres also that whole debate about the Leica Summicron primes being worth the extra 3 grand which just seems totally insane to me right now.
Basically I just need one good prime for general street and maybe some portraits while Im traveling. Do I go with the Sigma Art series and deal with the weight, or is there a hidden gem in the Lumix line that I should be looking at instead? I dont want to buy something and then regret it the second I get off the plane...
Like someone mentioned, weight is key. Honestly, you should grab the Sigma 65mm F2 DG DN Contemporary. It is razor sharp, built like a tank, and balances perfectly on the SL2.
> I cant decide if I should go for the absolute best glass quality or just grab something lightweight that I wont be terrified to carry around Tokyo all day. Listen, for Japan, you absolutely need to prioritize weight! I took my SL2 to Tokyo last year and lugging around heavy glass is a total nightmare. Trust me, you want to stay nimble. Honestly, the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 is a fantastic choice for your trip. It is super compact, sharp enough to handle that sensor, and the weather sealing is a life saver if you catch some rain. Forget the heavy Sigma art stuff, you will thank me when you're walking 20k steps a day! Just keep your lens cap on and have a blast, Japan is amazing!
Re: "I cant decide if I should go for the absolute best glass quality or just grab something lightweight..." honestly, you might wanna pump the brakes on the heavy glass. Tokyo streets are no joke and dragging a brick around gets old fast. Before you pull the trigger, are you planning on mostly shooting wider street scenes or are you leaning into tighter portraiture? That makes a massive difference for your kit. Since you want something that keeps up with the SL2 sensor without breaking your back, check these out:
- Sigma 45mm F2.8 DG DN Contemporary - its super compact, built like a tank, and the rendering has this vintage vibe that is great for travel.
- Panasonic Lumix S 85mm F1.8 - if you want portraits, this is way sharper than it has any right to be for the price. Be careful with the weight distribution on an SL2 body if you go too small, tho. Ever tried a pancake lens on it?
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
