so i’ve been shooting with the sl2 for like two years now and mostly sticking to the zooms but i have a big wedding client in three weeks and i desperately need a dedicated portrait prime. my logic was to just grab the 90mm apo-summicron because native glass is king but honestly five grand is ridiculous right now and my budget is strictly under 3000 dollars. i’ve been looking at the sigma 85mm f1.4 dg dn art and it looks great on paper but i’m terrified the autofocus wont keep up with a moving bride or the colors will just look off compared to my other leica stuff. the sl2 can be so picky with non-native glass sometimes especially with the way it hunts in low light. i also considered the lumix 85mm 1.8 because it’s so light and my wrists are killing me after an 8 hour day but i’m worried it’s not sharp enough for the 47mp sensor. i’m basically going in circles here because i want that leica look without the leica price tag and i dont know if the sigma is actually a viable pro alternative or if i should just hunt for a beat up used 90mm summicron. what are you guys actually using for high-end headshots that doesn't weigh five pounds or cost a literal kidney?
> the sl2 can be so picky with non-native glass sometimes especially with the way it hunts in low light. Honestly, dont overthink the Sigma. I've been using the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art for my portrait work and i'm really happy with how it performs on the SL2. It’s a total workhorse and way sharper than the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f1.8 which feels a bit budget for high-end headshots imo. Quick tip: update the lens firmware immediately. Sigma released fixes that specifically help L-mount bodies with hunting issues in AF-S. If you really need that Leica character tho, check out the Panasonic Lumix S Pro 50mm f1.4. It is Leica certified and the micro-contrast is basically identical to native glass. But for an 85mm, the Sigma is the only one that makes sense under 3k.
Seconded!
Just catching up! Finding a portrait lens for that price is tough. It reminds me of a fantastic wedding I shot where everything went sideways:
- My main gear bag got soaked in a sudden downpour!
- I had to borrow a kit lens from a guest because my glass wouldnt stop fogging up.
- The reception was an amazing party that lasted until 4am! Total nightmare day, but the photos looked incredible tho!
Saving this whole thread. So much good info here you guys are awesome.
