What is the best general purpose lens for Sony full-frame mirrorless cameras?

Question

Honestly im just so fed up with my kit lens, it feels like every shot I take is soft and I cant get the sharpness I want for my street photography. Im heading to Tokyo in three weeks and I really dont want to be stuck with this garbage glass while trying to capture the city at night. My budget is around 1200 bucks max and I just need one reliable piece of glass that can handle everything from landscapes to portraits. Should I just bite the bullet and grab the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 or is there something better that wont break my back while walking all day?

Dizaynersk_npsn · Accepted Answer

Honestly, the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art is amazing but its pretty heavy for all-day walking. Since you are doing street stuff in Tokyo, watch your back. You might want to consider these instead:

Sony FE 24-105mm f4 G OSS for the extra reach

Tamron 28-75mm f2.8 Di III VXD G2 if you want to save cash Definitely grab the Tamron, it saves you enough money for extra sushi!

EmmmaGem · Answer

@Reply #1 - good point! Honestly, I disagree that the Sigma weight is a dealbreaker for everyone. I spent a week in Kyoto with the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN II Art and didn't find it that bad, but if you want something lighter, look at the primes. Street photography in Tokyo is super fast-paced and night shots need that aperture. If you want sharp, reliable glass that wont make you regret carrying it for 12 hours straight, maybe look at these instead:

Sony FE 24-50mm f2.8 G - super compact, really sharp, and you wont even feel it on your camera body after a full day of walking.

Tamron 20-40mm f2.8 Di III VXD - wider angle is killer for those tight Tokyo alleyways and it weighs next to nothing compared to the 24-70mm options. Quick tip: grab a decent camera strap, like a Peak Design Slide Lite, because it makes a huge difference in comfort regardless of the lens weight. Dont stress too much about the gear, just focus on the light. Youre gonna have a blast in Tokyo, just make sure to test your lens for a few days before you fly out so you know its quirks. Enjoy the trip.

Quincytah · Answer

To add to the point above: I honestly had issues with the weight of the Sigma glass during a shoot last year. It just felt unbalanced for street stuff. If you want something sharper that wont wreck your neck, look into the Sony FE 35mm f1.4 GM. It is way more reliable for Tokyo nights than a bulky zoom. Unfortunately, you lose some versatility, but the image clarity is lightyears ahead of that kit lens.