I've finally saved up enough for a really solid setup but now I'm paralyzed by choice and my trip to Japan is literally three weeks away. I'm taking my Sony A7IV and I really want to just bring one lens that can handle everything from the neon streets of Shinjuku at night to the temples in Kyoto. I hate carrying a massive bag and swapping lenses every five minutes while my wife waits for me... it just kills the vibe of the trip and I end up missing the moment anyway.
Right now I'm stuck between three main options. The Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II is obviously the dream lens but man that price tag is steep. Like $2300 is basically my entire food and rail pass budget for the trip. Then there is the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 Art which everyone says is like 95% as good for way less money but I've heard it's a bit of a brick weight-wise. My wrist already gets tired after a few hours of shooting and we are gonna be walking like 20k steps a day easy.
Lately I've also been looking at the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6. It seems like the ultimate travel lens because of that crazy reach but I'm worried about the f/5.6 at the long end when the sun starts going down. I do a lot of night street photography and I'm scared I'll regret not having a constant f/2.8. But then again, having 200mm for those compressed street shots or architectural details sounds incredible compared to being stuck at 70mm.
Budget is around $2000 max but honestly I'd rather stay closer to $1000 if I'm not sacrificing a ton of sharpness. I just want the best all-around lens that stays on the camera 90% of the time without making me regret leaving the others at home. If you had to pick one to live on your Alpha body for a month of heavy travel, which one would you actually trust... the expensive Sony, the heavy Sigma, or the versatile Tamron?
Unfortunately, those lenses you mentioned are likely gonna disappoint you for a trip of this scale. I've been in your shoes and made the mistake of bringing a heavy setup to Japan before. The Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is way too bulky for walking 20k steps a day. By day four, you'll be leaving it in the hotel room because it feels like a literal lead pipe hanging off your neck. It’s just not worth the physical toll. The Tamron 28-200mm f2.8-5.6 Di III RXD sounds great on paper but it is honestly not as good as people lead you to believe for night street photography. Once you zoom in even a little bit, that aperture drops fast. Shinjuku neon requires speed, and f/5.6 just wont cut it without making your shots noisy and soft. Its frustrating to have all that reach but not be able to use it effectively after sunset when the cities really come alive. Heres what I would actually suggest for a one-lens setup:
- Grab the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2. Its basically the sweet spot. Its much lighter than the Sigma Art and way cheaper than the Sony GM II. The autofocus is snappy enough for street work.
- If you really need to save weight, look at the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary. Its tiny, tho you lose that 24mm width which is a shame for cramped Tokyo streets. Quick tips:
- Prioritize weight over everything else. Walking ten miles a day changes how you feel about your gear fast.
- Stick with f/2.8. Youll regret a slower zoom the second you step into a dimly lit izakaya or a rainy Kyoto alleyway.
