Best all-around video lens for Sony FX3 and a7s III?

Question

So I finally pulled the trigger on an FX3 to pair with my a7sIII and now I'm staring at my empty lens mount trying to figure out what to buy before I head to Tokyo next month for this documentary project I'm shooting. I'm gonna be doing a mix of run-and-gun street stuff and some more formal sit-down interviews. My budget is pretty flexible, maybe around $2k to $2.5k for the main workhorse lens.

I've been looking at the 24-70mm GM II because obviously the native autofocus is supposed to be insane and it's light, but then I keep seeing guys on YouTube talking about the Tamron 35-150mm f2-2.8 being the king of all-around lenses. The range sounds amazing for not having to swap glass in the middle of a crowd, but I'm worried it's gonna be way too heavy for a long day of handheld shooting and maybe the AF wont keep up as well as the Sony glass? I also saw some people mentioning the 24-105mm G but f4 feels like it might be a struggle for those low light indoor shots in the smaller shops.

Sony 24-70mm GM II

Tamron 35-150mm

Sony 24-105mm G (maybe too slow?)

If you guys could only bring one lens for a gig where you don't know what's coming next, what are you picking for these bodies?

Gregoryfatty · Accepted Answer

Tokyo is a tough environment and honestly, most of the high-end gear people hype up online just isnt worth the markup for a documentary. I've been shooting with the Sony system for a long time and unfortunately, the Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II was not as good as expected for that massive price tag. It's light, sure, but it feels a bit fragile for rough street work. I also had issues with the Tamron 35-150mm f/2-2.8 Di III VXD on a recent project. People call it the king of lenses, but its essentially a heavy brick that makes handheld work a nightmare after four hours. Ngl, your wrists will hate you by day two. If you want to be smart with your budget, look at these instead:

Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for Sony E-mount. This is the real workhorse. It performs nearly identical to the Sony GM but costs about half. You can spend that saved $1,200 on extra batteries or better audio gear.

Sony FE 24-70mm f/2.8 GM (the original version). Buy this used. It's much cheaper now and still produces professional results for interviews without the mark II price.

Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS is definitely too slow. I tried using it for indoor doc work and it was a struggle... you really need that f/2.8 for the shops in Tokyo. Dont get sucked into the hype of the most expensive glass. The Sigma gets the job done and keeps your kit within a reasonable price range.

tank_ueOi · Answer

To add to the point above: be really careful about jumping into that Tamron 35-150. Its a total beast and your wrists will definitely feel it after a few hours of handheld street work in Tokyo. If youre trying to be smart with the budget, I would suggest looking at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art for Sony E. Honestly, the price difference between that and the Sony GM is massive, and for a documentary, nobody is really gonna notice the tiny difference in AF speed. You might want to consider putting the savings toward a low-light backup too. Those tiny Tokyo bars and shops are dark, like really dark. Maybe grab a Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 to keep in your pocket just in case. Its better to play it safe with a setup that wont tire you out or leave you stuck when the sun goes down. Hope the trip goes well, stay safe out there.

CharliePoula · Answer

Regarding what #1 said about Tokyo being tough, will you carry a gimbal? My Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2 is fantastic!only $900super light