Im stressing out because I have a big trip to Japan coming up in three weeks and I still dont have a solid walkaround lens for my A7III. I really want to travel light but I hate carrying a bag of primes around all day. Right now Im stuck between the Tamron 28-75mm G2 and the Sony 24-70mm f/4. Im kind of worried the Sony isnt sharp enough, but the Tamron is a bit bigger than I wanted. My budget is around 800 bucks. Should I just save more for the GM or is the Tamron honestly fine for street stuff? Just dont want to regret my choice once I get to Tokyo...
Honestly, grab the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 and dont look back. It hits that sweet spot for travel gear.
- The f/2.8 aperture handles Tokyo nights way better than f/4.
- It is super compact for a zoom.
- The sharpness is honestly impressive for the price. If you really want to save, look at the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for even less weight. You will be totally fine.
Honestly, skip the Sony f/4 lens. You will miss the extra stop of light in those dimly lit Tokyo alleys and the sharpness just isnt there compared to modern glass. I have used the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for years on my A7 series bodies and it is honestly the sweet spot for travel. Its sharp, lighter than the GM glass, and leaves you with plenty of cash for sushi. Sure, the 24mm end of the Sony is nice for wide shots, but you can always stitch panoramas or just back up a bit. For the price, the Tamron really is the best value out there right now. Dont bother saving up for the G Master unless you are doing professional paid work. The G2 is plenty good for street stuff.
Like someone mentioned, definitely stay away from the f/4 zoom. It really wont give you the performance you need for those gorgeous neon-lit night shots in Shinjuku! Honestly, if you want something versatile, just grab a fast standard zoom from Sigma. They are basically magic for the price and the build quality feels so much more premium than what you get with other third-party options. I have used their glass on my Sony bodies for years and they never miss focus. Japan is all about those wide cityscapes and tight street details, so having that constant aperture is a total game changer. You wont regret dropping the extra cash or dealing with the slightly larger size when you see how sharp your photos turn out. Just go with Sigma, you really cant go wrong there!
Exactly what I was thinking