Im finally ditching my old dslr and moving over to the sony ecosystem but picking a lens is driving me crazy. I have about 1200 bucks to spend and im mostly shooting street photography plus some casual travel shots when I head out to visit family in Chicago next month.
I keep reading that the sigma 24-70 f2.8 is the holy grail for zooms but man that thing is a tank and I really dont want to be carrying something that heavy around all day. Then I saw a bunch of people recommending the sony 35mm f1.8 prime for its size but im worried I will miss having the zoom flexibility since im used to my old kit lens. My logic was that a prime would force me to get better at framing but what if I get stuck in a situation where I cant move? Is it better to just bite the bullet and go with a heavier lens for the versatility or should I commit to the prime life and get a smaller setup? Seems like everyone online is either a total gear snob or just pushing the most expensive g-master stuff. Does anyone have a setup that actually feels good to walk around with all day?
Honestly, grab the Tamron 28-75mm F2.8 Di III VXD G2. It is way lighter than the Sigma and perfect for walking around Chicago all day. I love it!
@Reply #2 - good point! Honestly, if you hate the bulk, just grab the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 instead. It is super light, sharp, and totally cheap enough to keep your budget safe.
Late to the party but I totally get your stress. I spent months obsessing over weight before finally making the jump. Honestly, I used to haul around a heavy bag everywhere and my back just couldnt take it anymore. I finally decided to prioritize comfort and switched to a smaller, prime-focused setup for a trip last year and it changed everything! Sure, there were a few times I wished I could zoom in, but having that agility made me feel so much more connected to the scene. You end up moving your feet more, which actually taught me so much about composition. If you value just walking around without feeling like you're carrying a brick, a smaller prime is a total game changer. Just be ready to move a bit more!
This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.
Oh man, I am literally in the exact same boat as you! I have been agonizing over this gear choice for like three months now and my browser history is just a graveyard of lens reviews and forum threads. It is seriously driving me up the wall because I cannot decide if I want to be a minimalist or just suck it up and deal with the weight.
- Constantly checking forums at 2am
- Adding and removing lenses from my cart
- Still shooting with my phone because I can't pick a lens Honestly, I keep switching my mind every single day. I feel like if I pick the wrong thing I am gonna regret it the second I start walking around. It is totally exhausting not knowing what to do!