So Ive finally jumped ship to Sony and got an A7IV but now Im stuck on the one lens thing. I keep seeing everyone rave about the 24-70mm f2.8 GM II but man its pricey and then others say the 24-105mm f4 is all you need for travel. Im kinda torn because I dont want to carry three primes. Im going to Japan in three weeks and really need to nail this down.
- Budget is around $1500
- Mostly for street stuff and family
- Not too heavy for all-day walking
Is the f4 actually annoying at night or does the stabilization make up for it? Or should I just blow the budget on the 2.8?
Honestly, if you want one lens that does it all for a trip to Japan, skip the f4. The stabilization on the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is cool but it wont save you when your subject is moving in low light, like a busy street in Shinjuku! You need that extra stop of light for faster shutter speeds. Since the GM II is way over your $1500 budget, you should 100% look at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art II. It is fantastic! It weighs about 745g which is way lighter than the old one and it balances perfectly on an Sony A7IV. The optics are absolutely insane for this price point. We are talking about 19 elements in 15 groups with 6 FLD and 2 SLD elements to basically kill chromatic aberration. It is sharp corner-to-corner even wide open at 24mm. The dual HLA linear motors make the autofocus lightning fast, which is huge for family shots where kids dont sit still. If 24mm isnt a dealbreaker, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is even lighter and fits your budget with cash to spare! Its only 540g which is incredible for all-day walking. But seriously, get the Sigma. That 24mm wide end is essential for architecture in Kyoto and the f2.8 aperture gives you that sweet subject separation you just cant get with an f4 lens. Youll love it!
Like someone mentioned, that f4 is a bit of a trap. I unfortunately had issues with it being way too slow in the subway and it was just frustrating, honestly not as good as expected for the price. Are you open to third-party glass tho? The Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is much better value and fits your budget way better than the GM.
