I am freaking out a little bit honestly because I just pulled the trigger on a new A7IV body and my bank account is looking real sad right now but I have this wedding gig for a cousin in literally three weeks and I have zero glass for it. Like none. I moved over from Fuji recently so I had to sell all my old stuff to afford the switch and now I'm staring at these full frame prices and actually shaking. I really want the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II because everyone says it is the gold standard but it is so expensive even used it is like $2200 and that is way over what I have left. I have maybe $1700 to spend tops if I eat ramen for a month.
So I am looking at the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art II which just came out and seems like a better deal at $1100-$1200 but then I worry about the autofocus speed for the ceremony because I cannot miss those shots or my aunt will kill me. My other thought was maybe I should just forget the zoom and get the Sony 35mm f/1.8 and the 85mm f/1.8 primes and call it a day? It would be way cheaper and fit the budget easily but then I am swapping lenses in the middle of a church and that sounds like a total nightmare for a solo shooter.
I have been refreshing B&H and Adorama like every hour hoping for an EDU discount or some random flash sale but I havent seen anything for the GM II specifically. I even checked Greentoe but the offers coming back are still a bit high for my current situation. Does anyone know if there are any promo codes or unadvertised sales going on right now for Sony E-mount gear? Maybe some local shops in the Tri-state area that ship or have open-box deals? I really need to find a way to get that GM II under $2k or decide if the Sigma is actually reliable enough for professional work because I am losing sleep over this and the wedding is getting closer every day. Has anyone seen anything lately?
> I really want the Sony 24-70mm f/2.8 GM II In my experience, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN II Art is highly reliable for weddings. You won't notice any difference in autofocus performance during a ceremony.
I havent seen any sales, and honestly, these prices are a total scam now. I am happy with the quality, but the cost is ridiculous. It just drives me crazy.
I actually went through this exact panic last year when I switched systems. I was looking at the GM II but the price tag is basically a down payment on a car. I ended up testing a few options because I'm a bit of a nerd for linear motor benchmarks and tracking data. Here is what I found:
- Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN II Art Sony E: Basically matched the GM II for AF tracking during a fast-paced event I shot last month. The HLA motors are legit. It has a de-clickable aperture ring and its way better balanced than the old version. It fits your budget perfectly with room to spare.
- Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II: Technically the best because of the 4 XD linear motors, but on an A7IV, you wont see the benefit of the high frame rates anyway. Youre paying an extra grand for slightly smoother bokeh and 100g less weight. Its amazing glass but the diminishing returns are real.
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 Sony E: The VXD motor is silent and fast. Its the lightest of the bunch but that 28mm starting point feels tight in a small church if youre used to a wider field of view. If you check places like MPB or KEH for used copies, you can grab that Sigma and have money left for a backup battery or a flash. Dont let the GM tax keep you up at night... the Sigma is definitely reliable enough for pro work.
I'm not totally sure if going third-party is the safest bet for a high-stakes event like a wedding. While the specs look decent, I think I heard that native lenses still hold an edge for reliability in tricky lighting, which you'll definitely face in a church. I would be concerned about the autofocus hunting at the wrong moment. Not sure if you have looked into it, but IIRC renting the high-end zoom for a few days is usually pretty affordable. It might be a better way to get through the gig without the stress of a massive purchase or potential gear issues. It just seems like a lot of risk to take on when you're already feeling the pressure... maybe renting buys you some time to find a better deal later.
Just saw this and honestly, i was in your shoes a few years back. i actually started out thinking i needed the most expensive gear but realized i was just paying for a logo.
- in my experience, you should just go with tamron for your zoom needs. i have tried many of their lenses over the years and they are incredibly reliable for professional work.
- i remember one wedding where my main native lens actually jammed and i had to finish the ceremony on a cheap third-party backup i got on sale. nobody could tell the difference in the final gallery.
- just get any of the fast zooms from tamron and you wont have any issues with the autofocus. they have really caught up to the native glass lately and the weight savings are a life saver for long days.
- skip the brand name stress and use the extra cash to buy some more memory cards or maybe a backup battery instead.
