I just picked up an S5II to finally move into full frame and I have a family portrait session coming up in two weeks at a park. Ive been doing a ton of reading and Im stuck between two options.
- Lumix 85mm f1.8
- Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art
I found a few threads saying the native Lumix 1.8 is way faster for the new phase detect autofocus but then other people say the Sigma bokeh is just on another level. I have about $850 to spend so I could get the Lumix new or try to hunt down a used Sigma. Is the autofocus hit on the Sigma really noticeable for kids moving around or should I just stick with the native glass?
Just saw this thread. With an $850 budget, you have some interesting directions you could go beyond the native 1.8.
- Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art L-Mount: You can definitely find this used within your budget. The rendering is superior to the 1.8, but it is a chunky lens. The AF is decent on the S5II, though native glass is always gonna be a hair faster for erratic movements.
- Sigma 105mm f2.8 DG DN Macro Art: This is a great alternative. The compression at 105mm gives you a very thin depth of field, and it doubles as a macro lens for detail shots. It fits nicely under your price cap too.
- Sigma 90mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary: Much smaller and cheaper. Its not an f1.4 monster, but for park sessions where you're moving a lot, the portability is a huge plus. Honestly, if you really need the bokeh, hunt for the used Sigma f1.4. If you want versatility and sharpness, that 105mm is a solid bet.
tbh i had some issues with that sigma art. unfortunately it felt like a total brick after an hour and the autofocus kept hunting when the kids started running... definitely not as good as i expected for the price.
- native Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f1.8 is way more reliable for the s5ii phase detect
- maybe check out the Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN Contemporary for about $600 if you want a middle ground for quality and weight
I grabbed the cheaper native one for a park shoot with my niece last month and im really satisfied.
- The focus was snappy enough for a toddler.
- My wrist didnt hurt after an hour of shooting. It works well for me and i dont think the extra blur is worth the price jump, honestly... Id just go that route.
> Is the autofocus hit on the Sigma really noticeable for kids moving around or should I just stick with the native glass? To add to the point above: honestly, be careful with that f1.4 dream when youre shooting kids at a park. It sounds amazing in theory but at 85mm and f1.4 the depth of field is so razor thin... youll end up with one eye in focus and a blurry nose if the kid even twitches. I have missed way too many perfect shots because I was chasing that bokeh instead of just getting a sharp image. Also, just a warning about the weight. That Sigma is a total brick. After an hour of chasing toddlers around, your wrist is gonna be screaming. When your hand gets tired, your technique goes out the window and you start getting motion blur anyway. If youre worried about reliability and want something different, a fast 50mm or even a lighter 70-200mm zoom might be a safer play. It gives you more breathing room to catch the action without being glued to one spot. Just dont sacrifice a sharp photo for a slightly blurrier background... you wont care about the bokeh if the kids faces are soft.
Same setup here, love it
