> Is there anything better than the Tamron 28-75 G2? Unfortunately, i had issues with the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 build quality. It felt less reliable than i expected. For safety, the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is a better investment for travel. Its quite sharp and you can save money by grabbing a used one for under $800. The stabilization makes up for the f/4 aperture.

Saw this and had to chime in because I am always super paranoid about gear breaking or failing on big trips. If you are worried about that f/4 aperture at night, honestly, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is probably the most logical choice for staying under your budget. It is a really solid, reliable workhorse. A few reasons why it works:

• That f/2.8 is really helpful for low light. Italy has lots of dim restaurants and alleys where that extra light makes a huge difference so your photos arent super grainy.
• The autofocus is snappy enough for street shots when people are moving around quickly.
• Its decent on the budget. Spending around $800 leaves you extra cash for better pasta or tours. One thing though, definitely look into getting a Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap too. If you are walking around Florence all day, the stock strap is kinda uncomfortable and doesnt feel very secure against thieves. Having a reliable setup is everything when you are traveling... basically saves you from constant gear stress. Just makes things easier so you can actually enjoy the trip.

Late to the party but honestly, I had some rough luck with third-party stuff on my last trip. Ended up bringing the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM and while the range is nice, it just adds too much weight for street photography all day. I actually swapped over to the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary recently because the size is much better, though it doesn't feel quite as robust as the Sony glass. I really wouldn't stress too much about the f/4 vs f/2.8 debate if you're on a budget. You can usually snag a used Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS for a steal right now, and the optical stabilization makes a huge difference for those late night handheld shots in Italy. Save that extra cash for a MindShift Gear PhotoCross 10 Sling Bag to keep your kit safe while you walk around. It's way more practical for travel than a standard strap.

> the Sony 24-105mm is a better investment @Reply #1 - good point! Sony build is solid, but the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is basically just 470g and stays sharp wide open tho.