So Ive been shooting on my A7IV for about two years now and Im totally a prime lens snob usually. I have the 35mm 1.8 and the 85mm and I love them to death but I just booked a three week trip to Tokyo and Kyoto for next month and Im starting to panic a little bit. I went out last weekend to practice some street stuff in a crowded area and man swapping lenses while people are bumping into you is just not it. I almost dropped my 85mm on the pavement and my heart stopped for a second lol.
I realized I really need one single lens that can just stay on the body the whole time because Im gonna be walking like 10 miles a day and I dont want to carry a giant bag of glass. I was looking at the 24-70 GM II but thats way out of my budget since I already spent a ton on the flights. I have about $1100 maybe $1200 max to spend on this.
Ive heard the Sigma 24-70 Art is great but Im worried about the weight since Im trying to pack light. Then theres the Tamron 28-75 G2 which seems like the obvious choice but is 28mm wide enough for those tight Kyoto alleys? I feel like Im overthinking this but Im just so pumped for this trip and I dont want to miss a single shot because I was busy fumbling with a lens cap or worrying about dust on my sensor. I usually shoot wide open but I guess I can live with f/2.8 for the convenience of the zoom.
Is there anything else Im missing that works well as a do-it-all piece of gear for the FE mount? Like what is actually the best all-around lens for Sony mirrorless if youre trying to balance weight and quality?
TL;DR: Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is the only light f/2.8. Honestly, most zooms are gonna feel like clunky bricks after using your primes. Check the weight specs on Camerasize.com to see the trade-offs. If 28mm isnt wide enough, the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is reliable, though f/4 is pretty disappointing for creative street work.
Just saw your post. Unfortunately, most sub-$1200 zooms really struggle with corner softness compared to your primes. I found the older Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art too heavy at 835g for long walks, plus it had some disappointing dust sealing issues. You should look at the Sony FE 24-50mm f2.8 G instead. Its technically sharper than the Tamron and much lighter, even if the focal range is limited.
I totally get the prime lens preference, but Japan is a one-lens situation when youre walking that much. For a $1200 budget, the Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 is a logical choice. It is affordable and weighs less than the Sigma Art or Sony GM options. If youre worried about 28mm being too tight for Kyoto, these are the most factual alternatives:
- Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art provides 24mm and fits the budget, though it is heavy for all-day carry.
- Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS offers 24mm and more reach, but requires higher ISO in low light.
- Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is the lightest f/2.8 option available for this mount. The Tamron G2 is basically the standard middle ground. The optics are decent and the autofocus is reliable for street work.
