Honestly I am just about at my limit with my current lens setup. I have been shooting with the Lumix 24-105mm f4 for most of my client work lately because it is versatile or whatever but the bokeh is just... it is messy. It looks nervous and distracting and for the price I am charging these people here in Seattle for their corporate headshots and lifestyle portraits I feel like I am giving them amateur-level results. I had a session yesterday and the autofocus kept hunting right when the model had the perfect expression and when it did hit the background separation just wasnt there. It is so frustrating because I have invested so much into the S5II system but I feel like I am hitting a wall with the glass I have. I need that creamy professional look that makes the subject really pop you know?
I have got a really big wedding and outdoor portrait gig coming up in about three weeks and I am ready to drop some serious cash—budget is around $1800 to $2200—to just fix this problem once and for all. I have been looking at the Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art because everyone says it is the gold standard for L-mount but then I see people talking about the 105mm f1.4 and I worry it is gonna be way too heavy to carry around for a 6-hour shoot. My wrists are already killing me as it is. Then there is the Panasonic 85mm 1.8 but I am scared it wont feel like enough of an upgrade over what I have got now in terms of that specific pro wow factor. I just want something that is sharp as hell wide open but doesnt make the background look like a jagged mess.
Seriously I am tired of over-editing my photos to try and hide the fact that my lens just isnt doing the heavy lifting. Should I just bite the bullet on the Sigma 85mm or is there something else in the L-mount alliance that I am totally overlooking for high-end portraiture? Is the Leica stuff actually worth the insane price hike or am I just paying for the name at that point... I really just need a solid recommendation before I lose my mind.
I chose the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art L-mount because I wanted something reliable that wouldnt fail during a shoot. Honestly, I am very happy and satisfied with it. It works well for hours and is a safe choice for your wrists. No complaints at all about the focus or the bokeh quality. It is definitely the professional fix you are looking for.
Like someone mentioned, the Sigma 85mm is solid. In my experience, Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art hits the sweet spot for weight. Do you usually shoot handheld for these six-hour sessions?
Building on the earlier suggestion, I have found over the years that chasing the absolute fastest aperture can sometimes backfire, especially during long wedding days. I started out thinking I needed the heaviest glass to look pro to my clients, but my wrists really paid for it. In my experience, the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art is legendary for that creamy look you are after, but it is a total beast. I tried lugging a similar heavy setup for a 6-hour outdoor gig once and I could barely move my hand the next day. Totally not worth the physical toll imo. The reason your Panasonic Lumix S 24-105mm f/4 Macro O.I.S. feels amateur is likely the 'nervous' bokeh and onion-ringing that zooms often produce in high-contrast backgrounds. If you want that high-end look without the Leica price tag, honestly, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is the most reliable balance of weight and performance. It solves the hunting issue you are seeing because the AF is significantly more snappy than the f4 zoom. I used to over-edit too, trying to fake depth in post, but once you move to a dedicated prime, the files just look expensive straight out of the camera. The Panasonic Lumix S PRO 50mm f/1.4 is also worth a look if you want that Leica-certified rendering style, but for those Seattle headshots, the Sigma 85mm is the smarter, more conservative bet for your workflow. It is sharp as hell wide open but keeps the background buttery smooth... exactly what you need to stop losing your mind over that messy bokeh.
