I've finally upgraded to an A7IV after saving for what feels like a lifetime and I am so hyped to get out there and start shooting. I'm taking a huge trip to Tokyo in three weeks and I really just want one single lens that can stay on my camera for the whole trip because I hate swapping glass in crowds. I've been doing a ton of research and it seems like it's a toss up between the Sony 24-105mm f4 and the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 Art.
The Sony seems super versatile with that extra reach but I'm worried f4 won't be enough for those cool neon night shots in Shinjuku. Then people say the Sigma is amazing for the price but it's apparently a total brick to carry around all day and some people mentioned dust issues with the older versions. I have a budget of about $1300 and I really want something that feels pro without breaking my back or my bank account. Is there a goldilocks lens I'm missing here? What do you guys actually keep on your cameras 90% of the time when you're just wandering a city?
I dragged a massive setup through Kyoto years ago and learned my lesson the hard way. My shoulders were killing me by day three and I ended up leaving the camera in the hotel. Weight is everything when you are hitting 20k steps a day in Tokyo. If you want f/2.8 for Shinjuku but dont want the weight of the Sigma, you should check out the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. Its been my go-to for travel for a while now.
- It weighs way less than the Sigma Art, so your neck wont hate you.
- That f/2.8 aperture is basically essential for those low light street shots.
- Its well under your $1300 budget. Another sleeper hit is the Sony FE 20-70mm f/4 G. You lose the low light speed, but having 20mm on the wide end is amazing for cramped alleys. Honestly tho, the Tamron stays on my camera 90% of the time.
