p.1 #1 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I have a trip coming up later in the year to Europe and am contemplating between bringing either (1) a 20-70 F4 + 35 GM or (2) just the 24-70 F2.8 GM II. The camera body I’d be using is the A7CR. I’m also contemplating on bringing the 70-200 F4 Macro G II as well.
I love the compactness of the 20-70 F4 and it’s an amazing travel lens, but with it being winter/lower light availability and there’d be a good focus on the evening Christmas markets, I’m wondering if I’d just be switching to the 35 GM a lot and I should just bring the 24-70 F2.8 GM II to keep things simple. I’d be lugging around a larger lens in my hand throughout the day, but it would simplify my overall kit a lot (but at the expense of just 1 extra stop and the 20-24 range which is actually quite useful). Not sure if anybody else has experience with this. The other thought I had was even if I did bring the F2.8 GM II, I’d still want my 35 GM anyways since there’s not much practical difference between F4 vs. F2.8 as is F4/F2.8 and F1.4.
p.1 #2 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
Since I’ve never been a fan of f4 zooms, I’d tell you to take the 24-70GMII and then pick up a copy of the Viltrox 14/4 for $199. That would give you a super wide with the ability to punch in to 21mm on your camera and still have 26mp. And you’d have the superb GM zoom. I’d also take the 35GM and carry it only when you think you may need it and use it as your only lens for the day. It’s not that much extra to pack.
p.1 #3 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I have traveled with the 20-70mm plus GM 35mm f1.4 and it has worked fairly well. I have also tried just the GM 24-70mm f2.8 II, but always felt like something was missing with just this lens, f2.8 and 24mm for the widest FL. I did a lot of stitching for wider angles
I'm headed to Europe in a couple weeks and will try taking my GM 16-35mm f2.8 II, newly acquired Sigma 20-200mm and GM 24mm f1.4. In the cities, I find I really want a wide-angle lens (wider than 20mm) and find that, for how and what I shoot, an f1.4 lens to be almost a necessity for dark interiors and night shooting. I might bail at the last minute and substitute my GM 35mm for the GM 24mm f1.4. I is always nice to have the capacity to take environmental shots with some subject separation without having to step way back.
p.1 #4 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
While the 24-70mm f/2.8 II is a great lens but I feel that the wide end is not wide enough, especially for a trip to Europe. On my recent trip there, twice, actually, I took the 16-25mm G in addition to my 20-70mm. Yes, the later is an f/4 but in reality, especially with the current crop of noise reduction features/software, the difference between f/2.8 and f/4.0 is (almost) negligible. The 20-70mm is lightweight and compact. Combined that with IBIS, I feel I could get away using shutter speeds that, just several years ago, were not feasible to produce tack-sharp images. Yes, the GM 35mm performs really well in the circumstances that neither zoom lens could hold up.
p.1 #6 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
20 is wide enough for me. 24 isn’t. F2.8 isn’t special. I sold my 24-70 GM 1 when I got the 20-70 and realized I didn’t reach for the 24-70 GM anymore. I’d also bring the 35. You’ll want that speed and shallow depth of field occasionally.
p.1 #7 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
Awesome thanks all for the feedback. Guess I’ll go with the 20-70 and 35GM combo. Thinking about it more, losing the 4mm on the wide end and probably needing to bring the 35GM prime for really low light anyways doesn’t really give me a reason to bring the 24-70.
p.1 #9 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
That 24-120 lens is the only f4 zoom that tempts me. But I’m not buying a Nikon camera for it!😂 Here’s hoping one of the third party lens makers comes up with a clone. 🤞🏻
p.1 #10 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I recently considered the 20-70mm F4 lens, but added the Tamron 20-40 F2.8 instead.
The latter extends to near 60mm F4 in the APS-C crop; thus, the range of the Tamron isn't that dramatically different from the Sony zoom, yet it has the advantage of F2.8 in the wide-to-normal range (and it is smaller).
Considering your options, I suggest replacing the Sony zoom by the Tamron, and taking that along with the 35mm F1.4. Try to shoot the GM lens as much as possible, and use the Tamron when needed.
p.1 #11 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
My last few trips of Europe, I've captured a LOT with just shooting a 35mm or 40mm prime. Building interiors definitely require something wider though. So I think the 20-70 + 35GM is my pick of your options.
p.1 #12 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I'd easily prefer 20-70 over 24-70 but don't expect I'd not consider (and likely take) both wider and longer, too. Is f1.4 or f1.8 needed, for you, compared to f2.8 or f4?
If you have some of the lenses being considered, try test runs to local sites similar to what you might expect on your trip. I'll do test runs at Mission San Juan Capistrano and some of our usual weekend or mid-week getaways. Maybe there are already some holiday lighting experiences going on, too. The mission has dim and mixed light interiors, votive candle racks, interesting exteriors, etc. That kind of trip may help nail down some of the good but differing advice. Like, do you "need" f2.8, how much better is it compared to f4? How does your approach to low light interiors work? Noise reduction gets you where you want to be?
p.1 #13 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I would suggest otherwise, I prefer f4.
My 24-70 GM stayed home most of the time. For my trips, I usually carry the Zeiss 24-70 f4 or the 16-35 f4, plus sometime 24/1.8 for nights or 55/1.8. Since you already have the 20-70, I would suggest carrying that. The 24-70 GM is not only heavy for leisure travel, you will also find that 24mm is not wide enough for many places in Europe, especally inside buildings. Keep one fast prime for night shots if needed, though I often managed with f4 and multi-shot NR.
p.1 #14 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I'll be in Iceland in early February, and am planning to bring a 20-70, a 16mm f/1.8, and a 100-400. The 20-70 is very compact and light–ideal for travel. The 16 will be for astro/aurora/wide angle landscapes. A 24-70 f/2.8 is quite a bit larger and heavier, and since I will mostly be shooting the 20-70 during the day for landscapes, I won't really need the larger aperture.
p.1 #17 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I'm a bit of a snob. I think 2.8 is slow. If it's going to be slow f4 isn't much worse than 2.8, in my opinion. So when traveling, I tend to use zooms for daylight (where f4 vs f2.8 basically doesn't matter), and primes for low light.
So you can tell that my vote is 20-70 f4 with a 35 1.4... and I too travel with this lens.
p.1 #18 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
chez wrote:
With today’s sensors and noise reduction software, you can use much higher iso without issues.
Back in 2000, the highest usable ISO was around 800-1600.
Today (2025), with modern sensors and noise reduction, you can comfortably shoot at ISO 25,600 which is a huge improvement, as you mentioned.
But regardless of the era, an f/1.4 lens still gives you a two-stop advantage in low light, letting you shoot in conditions that are significantly darker.
It also gives you up to a 3-stop dynamic range advantage compared to a f/4 zoom when not at base ISO.
If you have the prime in the bag, the time to switch from zoom to prime is whenever you start seeing the iso creep up above iso 100 which happens a couple of hours before sunset.
Of course its ok to shoot at iso 200/400/800 but the iso does go up quite rapidly as the sun goes down.
p.1 #19 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
I recenly had to shoot a family event indoors with not a ton of light and the ISO on my A7RIV was always in 5000ish range with 20-70G. A lot of people say you can go high ISO with modern cameras without any issues, but the noise was too much for my liking and I had to use GenAI noise reduction on a lot of images in LrC. GenAI noise reduction sometimes make images to smooth and plasticky, so I don't want to rely on it.
I just don't think f/4 lenses are good enough when light situaion is unpredictable. I am planning to stick with 20 f/1.8 as a travel lens in my kit.
p.1 #20 · F4 zoom + GM prime vs. F2.8 zoom-only for trip
ramesesthe2nd wrote:
I recenly had to shoot a family event indoors with not a ton of light and the ISO on my A7RIV was always in 5000ish range with 20-70G. A lot of people say you can go high ISO with modern cameras without any issues, but the noise was too much for my liking and I had to use GenAI noise reduction on a lot of images in LrC. GenAI noise reduction sometimes make images to smooth and plasticky, so I don't want to rely on it.
I just don't think f/4 lenses are good enough when light situaion is unpredictable. I am planning to stick with 20 f/1.8 as a travel lens in my kit. ...Show more →
I agree. Too much noise reduction is not good with people. However, with landscapes you can use quite a bit and still have it look good. I know a lot of people like the f4 or slower zooms for the size savings, but if I’m going to carry a zoom I want it to be f2.8 or faster. I’ll put up with the size.
