Im seriously stoked to finally get my S5 II up and running! Ive been rocking the kit lens for a couple months but its definitely time to step it up to a real sharp prime for my street photography and low-light concert gigs. My budget is around 800-900 bucks max, maybe a little more if the deal is insane.
Ive been scouring forums and watching way too many YouTube reviews. Everyone keeps hyping up the Lumix 50mm f/1.8 because its cheap, but then I see people talking about the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN being way sharper. Im honestly confused because I dont know if I need the extra speed or if the sharpness jump is even noticeable for someone like me who just posts to Instagram. Plus, I live in a pretty cramped apartment in Chicago, so I keep thinking the 35mm would be more versatile for indoor shots too?
- Needs to be sharp corner to corner
- Fast aperture is a must for dim clubs
- Budget: under 900 USD
- Prefer something not too heavy since I walk around all day
Is it worth saving up for the Sigma or should I just stick with the native glass? Any suggestions from people actually using these on their S5 II setups?
Congrats on the S5 II. Honestly, for the kind of work you're doing, skip the kit lens and grab the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. I have been shooting with it for a while now and the sharpness is honestly leagues ahead of the native f/1.8 glass. It handles low light at concerts perfectly and fits way better in tight indoor spaces than a 50mm would.
- The build quality is top notch without being a total brick
- Corner sharpness is pretty much perfect even wide open
- 35mm focal length is way more versatile for street stuff Save up for the Sigma if you can. You will be much more satisfied with the output for your socials. Just get a decent strap and you wont even notice the weight while walking around the city.
If you want sharp and fast for clubs without the weight, check out the Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary. It is super portable and fits your budget perfectly.
Adding my two cents here, the 35mm focal length is honestly perfect for Chicago apartments and clubs. I used to use the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8 because it is so light, but if you want that professional pop, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is just on another level. In my experience, shooting in dim venues really highlights why you want that extra light. The Sigma is built like a tank, though it does get a bit heavy after a six hour concert shift, ngl. If you really want to save some weight and still get killer sharpness, look at the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. It sits right in the middle, feels way more premium than the plastic native lenses, and honestly, the sharpness is indistinguishable for Instagram stuff.
