I am honestly so fed up with my current lens situation right now. I went out to the coast last weekend thinking I’d get some great shots with my A7IV but I spent more time fiddling with my gear than actually looking through the viewfinder. I’ve been trying to make the whole prime lens only lifestyle work because everyone says the quality is better but god it is such a massive pain in the neck. Literally. My neck is killing me from the weight of carrying a bag with three different lenses and swapping them out every time the light changes or I see something slightly further away is driving me crazy. I missed this incredible shot of a heron taking off because I had my 35mm on and by the time I grabbed the longer lens and got it mounted the bird was a mile away. I just sat there feeling so defeated.
I have a huge trip to Italy coming up in exactly twenty days and there is absolutely no way I am doing this over there. I’m going to be walking miles every day through Venice and Rome and I just want one lens that can do it all so I can actually enjoy the vacation with my wife instead of making her wait while I change equipment. I need something versatile that covers the wide end but has enough reach so I dont have to crop everything. I was looking at the Sony 24-105mm G but I’ve heard people say it’s getting a bit old and maybe the aperture isnt fast enough for low light stuff inside the cathedrals or at dinner? Then there’s the Tamron 28-200 which people rave about for travel but I’m worried I’ll lose too much sharpness compared to what I am used to.
My budget is topped out at about $1,400 since the trip itself is costing a fortune. I just want one goldilocks lens that stays on the body for 95% of the time and doesnt weigh five pounds. What is the absolute best all-around lens for a Sony full-frame setup that wont make me want to leave my camera in the hotel room?
Honestly, I think the Sony FE 24-105mm F4 G OSS is likely your most logical path forward here. While the design is a few years old now, the MTF charts show it still holds up remarkably well on the 33MP sensor of your A7IV. You mentioned low light concerns inside cathedrals, but the constant f/4 isnt as much of a dealbreaker as people think. The A7IV has a dual-gain sensor that keeps the noise floor very low even at ISO 3200 or 6400. Plus, when you combine the lens OSS with the camera's IBIS, you can usually hit 1/10th of a second shutter speeds handheld if you keep your breathing steady. The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD is a popular alternative, but you lose that 24mm wide end. In European cities with narrow streets and tall architecture, those 4mm make a massive difference in your frame composition. Quick tip for the trip: map the APS-C Crop Mode to your C1 button. It gives you a 1.5x punch-in instantly, turning that 105mm into a 157mm equivalent. It's a lifesaver when you see a bird or a far-off detail and dont have time to move closer or swap glass. For a single-lens solution under $1,400, the 24-105mm gives you a decent balance of corner sharpness and focal versatility. It is a solid piece of kit that wont leave you fiddling with bags while your wife is waiting.
