23/02/2026 6:25 am
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I am planning a three-week trip through Japan this fall and I really want to stick to a one-lens setup to keep my kit lightweight. I am currently shooting with an OM-5, and while I love my primes, I do not want to be swapping glass constantly while sightseeing.
I have been looking at the Olympus 12-100mm f4 IS Pro because of that incredible range, but I am worried it might be too bulky for all-day carry. On the other hand, the Panasonic-Leica 12-60mm f2.8-4 seems like a great middle ground for size and speed. Does anyone have experience with these, or is there a hidden gem I am missing? What is your personal go-to do-it-all lens for travel?
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23/02/2026 6:50 am
Quick question - what do you actually shoot most? Like, street or landscapes?
- Olympus M.Zuiko Digital ED 12-100mm f/4.0 IS PRO: Sync IS is basically magic for handheld night shots, but its heavy...
- Panasonic Leica DG Vario-Elmarit 12-60mm f/2.8-4.0 ASPH. POWER O.I.S.: Faster at 12mm and way lighter for an OM SYSTEM OM-5 right? I've carried both on trips for years and weight is highkey the biggest factor tho!
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14/03/2026 10:00 am
just saw this thread and it reminds me of my first big trip to Osaka. honestly i spent way too much on a heavy pro lens before i left and ended up regretting the weight big time. by day three i was basically looking for a post office to mail it back home because my shoulder was screaming lol. i ended up grabbing a used, basic kit zoom from a shop in Akihabara for super cheap and you know what? the photos were basically indistinguishable for my travel album. if you're worried about the bulk of the larger zooms, trust your gut. Japan involves a crazy amount of walking and subway stairs. i usually check out sites like mirrorlesscomparison or look through flickr groups for the om-5 to see what people are actually getting with the lighter glass. sometimes the cheaper, non-pro stuff is 90% as good for way less cash and half the weight. might be worth looking into the slower f/5.6 options that people usually ignore... they're surprisingly sharp in daylight and wont break the bank.
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23/02/2026 7:26 am
- pro glass: heavy and sharp
- plastic zoom: light and flimsy tbh heavy gear is risky... unfortunately the cheap one isnt as sharp as expected but its basically the best value choice for Japan!
