Why I Chose The Sigma 28-70mm F2.8 Over The Sigma 24-70mm | Panasonic Lumix S5ii

Summary

In this video, the creator shares their thoughts on the Panasonic 28-70mm lens, explaining why it’s now their go-to lens over the 24-70mm. They highlight its lightweight design, great value, and near-identical image quality, with the only noticeable difference being the slight reduction in wide-angle range. The creator also appreciates the lens's filter compatibility with Panasonic’s prime lenses. They reflect on their gear choices, including their consideration of the 16-28mm and 18mm F1.8 lenses for specific needs like ultra-wide angles and better low-light performance. Ultimately, they give the 28-70mm lens a perfect 10/10 rating, sharing their honest, user-driven perspective.

Takeaways

• 😀 The speaker recently dropped a video discussing their choice of the 28-70 lens over the 24-70 for their S5 II camera.
• 😀 One of the main reasons for choosing the 28-70 lens is its lightweight design, making it easier to shoot for extended periods.
• 😀 The price of the 28-70 lens is another key factor, being nearly $300 cheaper than the 24-70, yet offering similar quality.
• 😀 The speaker feels the 28mm wide end of the 28-70 is sufficient for their needs, even when shooting in full-frame open gate mode.
• 😀 The 28-70 lens shares the same filter thread (67mm) as Panasonic's prime lenses, allowing for easy interchangeability of filters.
• 😀 The speaker recently invested in a SmallRig mini matte box and an ND filter, which helps with controlling brightness in bright outdoor environments.
• 😀 The 28-70 lens is praised for its versatility, especially for handheld shooting, as the speaker prefers shooting without a gimbal or tripod.
• 😀 Despite considering the 16-28 lens or the 18mm F1.8 prime lens, the speaker values the versatility of the 16-28, though they're also intrigued by the shallow depth of field the 18mm F1.8 could provide.
• 😀 The speaker appreciates that the 28-70 lens has met all their needs and would rate it a perfect 10/10 for its overall performance.
• 😀 The speaker plans to continue creating content reviewing lenses and other gear, giving real-world insights into their experiences.

Q & A

Why did you choose the 28-70mm lens over the 24-70mm for the Panasonic S5 II?

The 28-70mm lens is lighter and more affordable than the 24-70mm. Despite the 24-70mm offering a slightly wider range, the 28-70mm provides nearly identical image quality, making it a great choice for the price and weight reduction.

How does the weight of the 28-70mm lens impact your shooting experience?

The lighter weight of the 28-70mm lens makes it much more comfortable for long shooting sessions, especially when using handheld shots, as it reduces strain and fatigue.

What is the price difference between the 24-70mm and 28-70mm lenses?

The 24-70mm lens costs around $1200, while the 28-70mm lens comes in at just under $900 after taxes, a $300 saving.

How does the 28-70mm lens perform when shooting in full frame with the S5 II?

When shooting in open gate full frame mode on the S5 II, the 28mm focal length is wide enough, and the slight difference in field of view compared to the 24-70mm lens is hardly noticeable.

Why is the 28-70mm lens ideal for handheld shooting?

Its light weight and versatility in focal length make it perfect for handheld shooting, especially in situations where a tripod or gimbal isn't needed.

What do you like about the filter compatibility of the 28-70mm lens?

The 28-70mm lens uses the same 67mm filter size as Panasonic's prime lenses, making it easy to swap filters across different lenses in your kit.

Can you explain the function of the ND filter and matte box you use with this lens?

The ND filter reduces brightness in bright outdoor conditions, especially when shooting video, while the matte box helps control light flares and adds a professional touch to your setup. The ND filter you use provides 6 stops of light reduction.

What is the primary reason you’re considering the 16-28mm lens over the 18mm F1.8 lens?

The 16-28mm lens offers more versatility due to its zoom capabilities, allowing you to adjust the framing as needed. However, the 18mm F1.8 lens has an advantage in low light and shallower depth of field.

What are the advantages of the 18mm F1.8 lens that make you consider it?

The 18mm F1.8 lens provides better performance in low light and offers a shallower depth of field, which can create beautiful background blur and a more cinematic look. It's particularly appealing for ultra-wide shots.

What are your thoughts on the 28-70mm lens in terms of its overall value?

The 28-70mm lens checks off everything on my list in terms of quality, weight, and price. I rate it a 10 out of 10, as it delivers exceptional value for both video and photography without any significant downsides.