So I finally pulled the trigger on a Sony A7IV after saving up for like a year. Its a huge upgrade from my old crop sensor but now Im hitting the wall with lens choices. Ive got this trip to Tokyo and Kyoto coming up in about seven weeks and I really want to just bring one lens and leave it on the camera the whole time. Im not really the type who likes fumbling with lens caps and bags while Im trying to find a good ramen spot or walking through a crowded shrine.
Ive been doing a ton of reading online and honestly its just making me more indecisive. Everyone seems to swear by the Tamron 28-75mm G2 because its light and the price is right, but then I see people arguing that 28mm isnt wide enough for street stuff and I should go for the Sigma 24-70mm Art instead. My budget is pretty firm at around $1,100 so the Sony GM II is definitely out of the question even though it looks amazing.
I also saw some folks recommending the Sony 24-105mm f/4 because of the extra reach but Im worried about that f/4 aperture when it gets dark. Tokyo at night is half the reason Im going so I dont want to be stuck with grainy shots because the lens is too slow. But then if I get the 2.8 zoom, am I gonna miss that extra 30mm of zoom? Its like every time I think Ive picked one, I find a thread where someone says the other is better for all-around use.
Im mainly gonna be doing a mix of street photography, some landscape stuff in the parks, and probably a lot of food photos and portraits of my girlfriend. I just want something that balances weight and quality without making me regret not bringing a whole kit. Since this is my first full-frame, Im kinda paralyzed by the options. What do you guys actually find yourself keeping on your camera 90% of the time when you only have room for one?
Nice choice on the A7IV. Japan is incredible but honestly, those narrow streets in Shinjuku can feel pretty tight if you dont have enough width. I usually play it safe and stick to one versatile zoom when traveling because swapping lenses in a crowded shrine is just asking for dust on your sensor or dropping something in the chaos. Heres the thing about the low light versus reach debate:
- f/2.8 is great for those neon night shots, but you lose that extra zoom for architectural details.
- f/4 gives you way more range but might force you to bump your ISO higher than you like once the sun goes down. Before you commit, how often do you think youll actually be shooting in those really dark alleys without any stabilization? Also, are you more worried about getting that wide street shot of the Shibuya crossing or zooming in on the temple carvings in Kyoto? Knowing that helps narrow down if the extra 4mm on the wide end is a dealbreaker for you.
