I'm satisfied with the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art.

• 24mm provides essential width for shrines
• Constant f/2.8 works well MTF charts confirm it's the superior optics choice.

In my experience, grab the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2. It's lighter for walking Kyoto and the MTF curves are top-tier for your budget. You won't regret it.

^ This. Also, if you are looking at the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 for your trip, just keep in mind that copy variation can be a real headache with that specific model. I had to return my first copy because decentering at 28mm was pretty rough when pixel-peeping architectural shots.

• Check the corner sharpness immediately if you buy used
• Calibrate the linear motor via the Tamron Lens Utility app right away
• Bring a lens station if you have one handy for firmware updates Honestly, fixing decentering issues at home saved my sanity before a big trip. If you want something rock solid out of the box within your grand, look into a used Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS instead. You lose a stop of light, but the extra reach and weather sealing are totally worth it for temples.

Saw this earlier but just now responding. In my experience, for a trip to Kyoto, the most important factor is the balance between weight and versatility. Over the years I have tried many different lens combinations and I have found that you basically cannot go wrong with the current lineup from Tamron. They have consistently produced glass that is sharp enough for the A7IV while remaining much more portable than the alternatives. Just get any of the modern standard zooms from that manufacturer and youll be set for both street and landscape. I have found that carrying a heavy lens through crowded shrines all day quickly becomes a chore. Choosing a lighter option allows you to focus on the experience rather than your gear. Honestly, it is a very cost-effective way to get professional results while staying within your budget. You wont regret going the lighter route when youre miles into a hike.

TL;DR: Go with a native Sony zoom for the best reliability. I spent a couple weeks trekking through Japan a while back and the one thing I learned is that you really dont want to be messing with gear issues when you're supposed to be taking in the sights. I had a third-party lens start throwing lens not attached errors right in the middle of a beautiful sunset at Kiyomizu-dera and it was a total nightmare. Honestly, it ruined the mood for the whole evening. Since then, I mostly stick to Sony brand lenses for big trips. If you want my advice, just get a standard zoom from Sony. Their native glass is just more dependable when it comes to weather sealing and consistent autofocus. It might not have the same spec-to-price ratio as some other brands, but it works every time you turn the camera on, which is basically what matters most when you're halfway across the world. You wont regret having that extra peace of mind.

Man, hearing about that lens error at sunset is a total mood killer. I had something similar happen with a third-party lens on my old body, and honestly, it put me off using anything except glass that feels super solid. Unfortunately, my experience with those big heavy zooms was that the weight just drains you, especially when you are walking miles around temples. It was not as good as I expected for an all-day setup.

• Check out some YouTube comparisons for standard zooms
• Look for recent threads on Reddit about Japan travel kits
• Browse the lens lineup on the manufacturer site There is this one video I saw ages ago that breaks down the size difference perfectly, just search for travel lens comparison on YouTube and you will find it. Good luck with the trip, Kyoto is unreal if you dont let the gear stress you out too much.