Re: > I totally agree that weight is your biggest enemy in Tokyo. I am gonna have to respectfully disagree with the 35mm recommendation for a Tokyo trip tho. I spent three weeks getting lost in Shinjuku and Shibuya a few years back, and let me tell you, those side streets are incredibly cramped. I started out with a 35mm thinking it was perfect, but I kept finding myself pinned against walls trying to fit the neon signs and the street life into the frame at the same time. You might want to consider the Sigma 24mm f2 DG DN Contemporary instead. It is just as tiny as the 35mm but that wider field of view is a total lifesaver in those tiny Golden Gai alleys. I would suggest being careful with the f2 aperture if you are shooting at night under those heavy neon signs. Sometimes the contrast is so high that you will want the extra light of a faster lens, but honestly, modern sensors handle ISO so well it usually isnt a dealbreaker. Quick tips for the trip:

• Wear the most comfortable shoes you own, you will walk 20k steps a day easily.
• Keep your camera on a wrist strap rather than a neck strap to stay low-profile. Just be careful with the magnetic lens caps that come with these I-series lenses. They are cool gadgets but I actually knocked mine off in a crowded Harajuku train station and never saw it again. Use the standard plastic ones while you are out exploring. If you really want something tiny, even the Sigma 45mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary is worth a look, though it might feel a bit slow once the sun goes down... just make sure to keep your shutter speed up so you dont get blur from the crowds.

I totally agree that weight is your biggest enemy in Tokyo. Adding to the previous points, the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary is actually the smarter financial move here.

• AF tracking is very reliable on modern mirrorless bodies.
• Smaller 58mm filters are significantly cheaper than Art series sizes.
• It leaves you roughly 150 dollars extra for your travel fund. The f/2 is honestly plenty fast for those Tokyo nights.

> Is the autofocus on the 35mm f2 I-series snappy enough for fast street stuff or am I gonna regret not getting the faster f1.4 glass? I have been reflecting on your dilemma for a few hours and unfortunately, I have to disagree with the 35mm focal length for this specific trip. I found that field of view not as good as expected in the cramped alleys of Shinjuku. I had issues with being unable to capture the scale of the neon signs without being backed into a wall. It is disappointing that the wider options in the I-series are so often overlooked. For your 800 dollar budget, the Sigma 24mm f2 DG DN Contemporary is a much better fit. It retails for about 639 dollars and the autofocus is definitely snappy enough for street work. If you want something even more low-profile, the Sigma 24mm f3.5 DG DN Contemporary is incredibly compact, though the slower aperture might be a struggle at night. Going wider will give you way more flexibility in Tokyo than a 35mm would.

Been thinking about your dilemma for a bit and unfortunately, the 35mm f1.4 Art is probably gonna be a letdown for this trip. It's just too big for stealthy street work and not as good as expected for someone trying to save their shoulder. I had issues with the weight of Art glass on long walks through Shibuya, it really wears you down after a few hours. If you look at the competition, the Sony FE 35mm f1.8 is light, but the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary feels way more premium for the price. Honestly though, the autofocus on the I-series is snappy enough that you wont miss the f1.4 glass at all. I actually found the 35mm focal length a bit frustrating in the cramped alleys, so I'd suggest checking out the Sigma 24mm f2 DG DN Contemporary instead. It’s much more versatile for those tight Tokyo spots and keeps you way more low-profile. You're gonna have an amazing time regardless, just keep it light!

Same here!