What is the absolute best all-around lens for any Sony camera because Im losing my mind trying to figure this out and about to throw my gear against a wall. Seriously I have a trip to Japan coming up in three weeks and my head is spinning trying to pack light. Im currently torn between the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 G2 and the Sony 24-70mm GM II, though Ive also been looking at the Sigma 24-70mm. My budget is around 1200 max unless the Sony is somehow life changing which I doubt for that insane price tag. I mostly shoot street stuff, random food pics, and a bit of low light stuff at night in Tokyo alleyways. Everyone online says something different and my brain is fried from reading a hundred forum threads today. Do I just grab the Tamron and save some cash for ramen or is the Sony actually worth double the price... someone please just tell me what to buy.
Step away from the wall and just grab the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. I took mine on a two-week trip through Tokyo and Kyoto last year and it honestly never left my camera body. That extra wide end at 24mm sounds nice on paper, but you wont even miss the difference when you are squeezing through tight izakayas and dodging crowds in Shinjuku. Autofocus is insanely fast for street snaps and the low light performance at f/2.8 handles neon-lit alleys easily. Save that extra grand for actual bowls of ramen and maybe a few highballs. No complaints from me at all.