Ive been shooting with my SL2 for about three years now and honestly, I love the glass but my bank account is screaming. I mostly do street photography and some light landscape work when I hike up in the Catskills, but carrying around a bag full of primes is getting old really fast. I tried the 24-90mm Vario-Elmarit and the IQ is just insane, obviously, but the weight? Its a total brick. I cant justify spending five grand on that beast anyway.
I need something a bit more versatile for an upcoming trip to Japan in November. Im looking for that sweet spot where the price doesnt hurt so much but I dont lose that Leica look, you know? Ive been eyeing the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II but Im worried about missing that native Leica contrast or build quality. Do you guys think the Sigma holds up enough for travel, or should I hold out and try to find a used Lumix S Pro 24-70? Im trying to keep it under 1500 bucks if possible. Is there anything else I should be looking at for L-mount that wont break my back or my budget...
Honestly, the weight of that 24-90 is a dealbreaker for travel. I used to lug it around and my shoulder was absolutely wrecked by the end of the day. If you want to keep that budget under 1500, skip the Leica glass and look at the Sigma. The Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art is stellar for the price. It handles flare really well and the sharpness is honestly comparable to the native stuff. I did notice the bokeh is slightly different, maybe a bit busier than the Leica look, but you really have to pixel peep to see it. Just be careful with dust since it doesn't have the same weather sealing tolerances as the SL lenses. Another one you might want to consider is the Panasonic Lumix S PRO 24-70mm f/2.8. It is built like a tank, seriously heavy, but the optical performance is top tier. You can find these used for a bargain now. Just make sure to check the focus ring stiffness if you go used. Honestly tho, for a Japan trip, the weight savings on the Sigma makes it the better choice imo. I took it out for a week and it never felt like a brick. You'll have way more fun walking around Tokyo without that extra pound of glass on the front. Good luck with the trip!
To add to the point above: having tested these side-by-side, I think people ignore the real optical trade-offs here. The Sigma is sharp, but the micro-contrast simply falls short of Leica standards. Unfortunately, I had issues with focus breathing when shooting video on the SL2, and the barrel distortion at 24mm is quite pronounced compared to the Lumix glass. It is a capable tool for the price, but it just feels like a generic lens rather than an extension of the camera body. If you want the best performance for your budget without the weight of the Vario-Elmarit, consider the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is significantly lighter than the 24-70mm variants and maintains a very compact form factor that is ideal for Japan. You lose 4mm on the wide end, but the overall chromatic aberration control is excellent for a lens in this price bracket. I was not as good as expected with the build quality since it feels a bit plasticky, but it delivers consistent results. Ultimately, the discussion here centers on balancing the weight of the SL2 against the cost of native glass. While the Sigma is the popular choice, you might actually find the Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro OIS gives you that extra reach for landscapes while staying well under your 1500 dollar limit, even if it is a stop slower. Don't underestimate the utility of the OIS on the SL2 sensor when light gets thin.
Honestly, if you want something that balances the SL2 perfectly for a Japan trip without dropping a fortune, you gotta look at the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6. It is super light, surprisingly sharp for the price, and that extra bit of width at 20mm is a total game changer for tight streets or big landscapes. Here is why I am so happy with it:
- The weather sealing is legit, used it in rain and dust no issues.
- It is so small you can basically forget it is on the camera.
- You can find them used for dirt cheap, leaving you extra cash for travel snacks. It is definitely a different feel than the heavy pro glass, but honestly, I never feel like I am missing out on quality. It just works well every time I pick it up. Hope the trip to Japan goes awesome!
Re: Honestly, the weight of that 24-90 is a dealbreaker... totally agree. That lens is built like a tank but it feels like you're carrying a brick all day. Adding my two cents, if you want something that balances better on the SL2 without killing your wallet, you should check out the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is way lighter than the 24-70mm versions, which honestly makes a huge difference when you're walking around Japan all day. Here is what I think:
- The size is much more manageable for travel street work
- You sacrifice a little bit of the wide end compared to the 24-70mm
- The weather sealing is decent for those Catskills hikes It is sharp enough for my needs and fits way under that 1500 limit. Just make sure to grab a reliable SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-II so you dont have any speed issues on the go.