Honestly so fed up with lugging my heavy backpack around everywhere. Im currently using a Sony A7III and I swear my kit lens is just holding me back so much, the image quality is soft and it struggles like crazy in low light. I shoot a mix of street photography and family stuff here in Seattle, and I just dont have the budget to be buying five different prime lenses right now. I was looking at the 24-70mm G Master but my wallet is screaming just thinking about it, and then I saw the Tamron 28-75mm but im just not sure if its sharp enough for what I need. My logic was that a solid all-arounder would solve everything but I just keep going down these rabbit holes of gear reviews and getting more confused by the second. I have a trip coming up in about three weeks and I really dont want to be swapping lenses on the side of the road while my kids are running around. Is there actually a single lens that is sharp, not five pounds heavy, and doesnt cost as much as a used car? I feel like im losing my mind here trying to decide.
Honestly, the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2 is way better than people give it credit for. I tried the first version and had issues with the focus motor, but the G2 is sharp enough to hold its own. It is light, fast enough for low light, and wont drain your bank account. Stop stressing over the gear and just grab it for your trip, trust me.
Totally agree with the others. I was stressing about the same thing last year before a trip. Grabbed the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS and honestly, I couldn't be happier. It handles street stuff perfectly and the extra reach is a lifesaver with kids. It is super reliable, sharp, and saves you from carrying extra weight. No complaints at all, just works well every time.
Ugh, I totally feel your pain. Carrying a backpack full of glass around Seattle when it is drizzling and the kids are being wild is honestly a nightmare. I used to be obsessed with having the perfect setup, but after lugging gear through rainstorms, I realized the best lens is the one you actually want to have on your camera. I really wanted to love that high-end glass, but honestly, it was just too heavy for me. I had issues with the weight constantly dragging on my neck, and the price tag is just insane. I tried a few third-party mid-range zooms, but they were not as good as expected for those low-light street shots you're aiming for. Unfortunately, a lot of the cheaper stuff has really bad corner softness and just struggles to lock focus when the light drops. Here is what I have been thinking lately:
- Look into the slightly older versions of standard zooms, they pop up used for way cheaper than the new stuff.
- Dont rule out a fixed focal length if you can find one that fits in your jacket pocket.
- I think there is a middle ground between the super expensive stuff and the budget kits, but finding it is a headache. Not sure but maybe try renting one before the trip? It saved me from a massive mistake last year. Good luck with the chaos!