Which zoom lens should I actually get for my Sony a7iv before I leave for Japan in two weeks? Im really torn between the Tamron 28-200mm and the Sony 24-105mm G. The Tamron is cheaper and has that extra reach which sounds great for street stuff but I keep hearing the Sony is way sharper and better built. My budget is strictly under $1100 since the flight was so pricey. I dont want to be swapping lenses in the rain or crowded areas. Is the 24mm wide end on the Sony worth losing the 200mm reach of the Tamron? Im literally losing sleep over this decision lol...
Japan is gonna be incredible!! Seriously, just grab the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD and dont look back.
- You save so much money for food and shrines!
- That f/2.8 aperture at 28mm is amazing for night shots in Shinjuku.
- 200mm reach is fantastic for sniping candid street shots. 28mm is plenty wide for most streets. Its a total bargain for your trip!
Honestly, I had a pretty mediocre experience with the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS on my last big trip. It was not as good as expected for the price. That f/4 aperture is unfortunately pretty limiting when you're shooting inside dimly lit shrines or walking through Osaka at night. Youll end up cranking the ISO way higher than you'd like on your a7iv. I also had issues with the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD because the lack of 24mm on the wide end really hurt for those tight city streets in Tokyo. You dont realize how much you miss those 4mm until youre backed up against a wall trying to fit a whole temple in the frame. If you can find a deal, look at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art. Its much better for low light and feels way more premium than the Tamron. If the reach is a dealbreaker tho, maybe consider the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and just use crop mode? Losing sleep over gear is the worst... but for Japan, Id prioritize the f/2.8 or that 24mm wide end over having 200mm reach any day. Reach is cool for snipers, but blurry shots or being unable to get the wide architecture really sucks.
Tbh I have used both and unfortunately they both left me feeling kinda meh for different reasons. Its frustrating when you spend that much and still feel like youre compromising...
- The Sony is way too heavy for travel imo. Your neck is gonna be killing you by day three of walking around Shinjuku.
- The Tamron build quality was not as good as expected. I had issues with it feeling a bit loose after some heavy use, which isnt what you want on a big trip.
- That 28mm on the wide end is actually a huge pain in narrow alleys. Youll find yourself constantly backing up into people trying to fit everything in the frame. Just be careful about the weather sealing too. Neither of these are truly waterproof and Japan gets some crazy downpours. Itd be a total nightmare to have your gear fry mid-trip. Honestly, you might be better off looking at some lightweight f/1.8 or f/2.8 primes instead of a big zoom... much easier on the shoulder and usually better for those night shots.
Quick reply while I have a sec. I actually took the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS to Kyoto last year and honestly... it was a total letdown. It felt way too heavy after ten miles of walking and that constant f/4 was basically useless for the night markets. I missed so many shots because the autofocus hunted in the dark and everything looked grainy. Then I tried the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD and while the range is nice, the build quality just felt cheap for such a big trip. I had issues with weather sealing fears the minute it started drizzling near Mt Fuji. Since youre on a budget, maybe look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary instead? Its tiny, light, and much better for those long days. Save the extra cash for a decent dinner in Tokyo. You can usually find it way under your $1100 limit. Quick tip: Grab a cheap used Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for night street photography. No zoom under a grand handles low light well enough for Japans alleys.
