I've been looking at lenses for my A7IV for weeks and my head is spinning tbh. I'm planning this big trip to Japan in November and I really want to just bring one lens that can do it all because I hate switching gear in the middle of a crowded street. I saw a lot of people recommending the Sigma 24-70 f2.8 Art but then I read it's kind of a brick and really heavy for all-day walking. Then there's the Sony 24-105 f4 G which sounds perfect for the range but I'm worried f4 is gonna suck for those narrow neon alleys in Tokyo at night. Is f4 actually okay with the A7IV's high iso? I just cant decide if I should prioritize the aperture or the extra reach.
My main things:
- Budget: around $1100 - $1300 max
- Use case: street photography, food, and some hiking near Fuji
- Weight: I'm not a gym rat so lighter is better
- Sharpness: needs to look good on a 33mp sensor
I also saw the Tamron 28-200 but is that too much of a compromise on quality? I really want something that stays on the camera 90% of the time. What are you guys actually using as your if you could only have one lens? Or am I overthinking the f4 vs f2.8 thing...
> Is f4 actually okay with the A7IVs high iso? ^ This. Also, honestly you are probably overthinking the f4 vs f2.8 thing. I have used the Sony FE 24-105mm f4 G OSS for years and the A7IV sensor handles high ISO like a champ. You can push it to 6400 or even 12800 and the files still look clean enough for social media or decent prints. Plus that lens has OSS which is huge for those static neon street shots at night. If the Sigma Art is too heavy, check out the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2. It is much lighter and fits your budget perfectly. Quick breakdown:
- Sony 24-105mm f4: Better build, more reach, very reliable. F4 is fine for most stuff.
- Tamron 28-75mm G2: Lighter, better for subject separation, but you lose the 24mm wide angle. For a Japan trip, I would prioritize the 24mm width of the Sony lens for those narrow streets. It is a solid, conservative choice that just works.
honestly i went through the same nightmare before my last big trip. picking just one lens is a struggle... i would suggest being really careful with the weight of that sigma. the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is a total chunk of glass and after walking 20k steps in tokyo you might seriously regret it.
- the Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2 is probably your best bet. it hits that f2.8 for the night stuff but stays way lighter than the sigma. i use it on my a7iv and its plenty sharp for that sensor.
- f4 is honestly fine for noise because the a7iv is so good at high iso, but you might miss the shallow depth for food shots.
- make sure to consider if you actually need the reach. the Sony FE 24-105mm f4 G OSS is a classic but maybe too big for all-day carry? just be careful about going too heavy. japan involves way more walking than people think and weight adds up fast.
Like someone mentioned, that f4 worry is honestly overblown. In my experience, I lugged a heavy f2.8 zoom around Kyoto years ago and totally regretted it by day three. My back was killing me and it was so expensive too. I learned the hard way that a lighter, cheaper setup makes you actually want to take photos more... plus, software cleans up high ISO noise so well now tho so it wont even matter.
Noted!
I have shot all over Tokyo and Kyoto over the years, and trust me, your feet will feel every extra ounce of glass after a few hours in Shinjuku. In my experience, the f4 vs f2.8 debate usually dies down the moment you realize how good modern sensors are. The A7IV is a beast at high ISO, so dont let f4 scare you off. If you're stuck between brands, here is how I'd break it down for a one-lens trip:
- Sony FE 24-105mm f4 G OSS: This is basically the gold standard for travel. The extra reach to 105mm is amazing for food shots and capturing details on temples without getting too close.
- Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN II Art: If you really want that f2.8, the new Mark II version fixed the weight issue of the original. It's much more manageable for hiking.
- Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2: This is the best value play. Super light, very sharp, but you'll miss that 24mm wide angle for tight Tokyo streets. Honestly, i'd grab the Sony 24-105mm. Having that extra reach at the long end is way more useful for travel than an extra stop of light you can mostly make up for with a slower shutter or higher ISO. Japan is a dream to shoot, just make sure you actually enjoy the trip instead of worrying about gear!
