What is the one lens I should actually buy because Im honestly fed up with carrying around a giant bag of primes that I never end up using? I shoot mostly street photography and some portraits here in Chicago, but switching glass every five minutes is driving me crazy. My budget is around 1200 bucks and I need something that can handle a bit of everything before my trip to the mountains next month. Is the 24-70mm f/2.8 just too heavy for everyday stuff, or is there a better compromise out there? Im just so tired of missing shots while fumbling with caps and my camera strap...
> I need something that can handle a bit of everything Honestly, get the Tamron 28-75mm F/2.8 Di III VXD G2. It is lighter than the Sony glass and way easier to carry.
Re: > I need something that can handle a bit of everything I totally agree with the Tamron suggestion, it is a game changer for weight. Over the years I have lugged around those heavy pro zooms, and honestly, for street stuff in Chicago, you really want something compact. If you find the 28-75mm a bit too limited on the wide end, here are two other ways to go:
- Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS This is my go-to for trips. You lose the f/2.8 but the extra reach is killer and the stabilization is solid.
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary It is basically the ultimate compromise. Lighter than the Tamron and super sharp. Personally, if you are doing portraits and street, that f/2.8 is nice, but I never regret having the extra 105mm reach when I am out hiking. Just my two cents.
I am in the exact same boat as you honestly. Dealing with lens swaps during a shoot is a massive pain, especially when the weather or light in Chicago is shifting every ten minutes. My back is killing me from hauling that bag of primes around, and I am definitely ready to consolidate into one single reliable barrel. Like someone mentioned, you really need to weigh the trade-offs before dropping that much cash. I have been looking at my own setup and keep coming back to these specific concerns:
- How much are you actually prioritizing that f/2.8 aperture over having extra reach at the long end?
- Are you mostly worried about weight during long days, or is physical size more of a factor for your bag setup? I am still debating whether to just offload all my glass or keep one wide prime for low light. Let me know what you figure out, because I am basically paralyzed by choice right now.
Honestly, if you are tired of swapping glass, you just need to commit to one solid variable zoom and leave it on the body. I spent way too many years carrying a bag full of heavy primes only to realize I was missing the actual moment while changing lenses. Just watch out for those cheap kit zooms though, the image quality usually falls apart at the edges and you will regret it once you get to the mountains. In my experience, you dont need the widest aperture if you are mostly shooting street during the day. Sometimes the lighter f/4 zooms are actually a better move for travel because you wont get tired and leave your camera in the hotel room. Just make sure you get a good strap too, because walking around all day really wears you down.
