Honestly, you're definitely not overthinking the 24mm vs 28mm thing. I tried doing a trip with just a 28mm start and it was pretty disappointing for architecture... you just cant fit those narrow Kyoto streets in frame. Unfortunately the Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD feels a bit cheap in the hand and I had issues with focus hunting in low light. The lack of built-in stabilization is also a bigger deal than people admit, especially when you're tired and shaky. Just get the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS. Its built way better for the elements and that 24mm wide end is essential for street shots. Quick tip: keep your lens hood on at all times in Japan, its the simplest way to protect against bumps in those crowded subway stations.

> I really just want one lens that stays on the camera the whole time because I hate swapping glass in crowded places like Shibuya Like someone mentioned, that 24mm vs 28mm gap is the big debate here. One fits the streets, the other gets the details. Honestly, sticking to one lens is way better for reliability. I'm always worried about grit or rain getting on the sensor during a quick swap. Speaking of safety, it reminds me of when I was in Osaka and almost lost my gear bag. I left it under a table at a ramen shop because I was so distracted by the chef using a blowtorch on the pork. I was blocks away before I realized my shoulder felt light. Ran back panicking, but the staff just had it waiting behind the counter for me. Japan's so honest... I ended up staying to talk about high-end kitchen knives for an hour. Anyway, sorry, totally went off topic there lol.

Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I'd actually argue that the 28mm wide end isnt as much of a dealbreaker as people make it out to be. I've spent weeks in Tokyo and honestly... most of the time you're shooting street scenes where that compressed look at the telephoto end is way more iconic. If you're standing in front of the Senso-ji temple and 28mm is too tight, you can just take two vertical shots and stitch them later. It takes like five seconds. I would suggest being a bit cautious with the Sony FE 24-105mm f/4 G OSS if you're planning on being out all day and night. While it's a stellar lens, f/4 can feel really limiting when you're hitting those narrow izakaya alleys after dark. The Tamron 28-200mm f/2.8-5.6 Di III RXD giving you f/2.8 at the wide end is a massive advantage for low light street photography that people often overlook. It lets in twice as much light as the Sony when you're at 28mm, which is huge for keeping your ISO down. One thing to watch out for tho: make sure to keep your shutter speed up on the a7IV if you go with the Tamron. Since it lacks built-in stabilization, IBIS does a lot of heavy lifting, but at 200mm you might want to stick to 1/500s or faster to avoid micro-blur from hand shake. I've found it plenty sharp though, definitely doesnt feel cheap in actual use. It's a fantastic value for staying under that $1100 budget and still having money left for some high-quality glass protection like the Hoya 67mm NXT Plus UV Filter. Feel free to ask more about specific spots in Japan too!