Ive got this trip to Japan coming up in like three weeks and I am honestly freaking out because I still havent picked a do it all lens for my A7III. I have been reading so many reviews that my head is spinning and I just cant decide what to do. I mostly do street stuff and some landscape but honestly I just want one lens that stays on the camera the whole time so I dont have to swap things out in the rain or crowded subways. My budget is capped at around $1,100 which makes things even harder.
Right now I'm stuck between these three:
- Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 G2
- Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 Art
- Sony 24-105mm f4 G
The Tamron is way lighter which sounds great for walking 20k steps a day but I'm worried 28mm isnt wide enough for the neon streets in Shinjuku. The Sigma has that 24mm which is huge but its so much heavier and more expensive. Then there's the Sony 24-105mm which has the range but is f4 gonna be too slow for night shots? I'm so worried I'm gonna pick the wrong one and ruin the photos of the one big trip I've saved for all year. Which one of these is actually the best all-arounder for someone who needs to balance weight and low light performance?
Unfortunately that Art lens wasnt as good as expected for travel. Had issues with the weight.
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary Way cheaper and saved my neck.
Looking at the technical specs, youre basically balancing aperture against focal range and physical mass. Since youre hitting Japan, those narrow alleys really benefit from a 24mm wide end, but f/2.8 is almost mandatory for night shots if you arent carrying a tripod.
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art: This is technically the sharpest option. It weighs about 835g which is heavy, but 24mm gives you an 84-degree field of view. Thats a big jump over the 75-degrees you get at 28mm for architecture and tight streets.
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2: Much lighter at 540g and the VXD motor is very snappy for street tracking. If you dont mind stepping back a few feet to frame shots, this is the most practical choice for walking 20k steps a day.
- Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS: The extra reach is nice for compression in landscapes, but f/4 is a full stop slower than the others. Youll be pushing your ISO pretty high in the subways or at night in Shinjuku. The Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is the superior glass if you can handle the bulk. If weight is the main concern, the Tamron G2 is the logical pick. You might also want to look at the Sony FE 24-50mm f/2.8 G if you want 24mm and f/2.8 in a smaller package, tho you lose some reach at the long end.
Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!
Gonna try this over the weekend. Will report back if it works!
100% agree
