honestly i'm just so fed up with my 24-105mm f4 zoom, it's just not cutting it anymore for the portrait work i'm doing and i'm starting to get really anxious because i have a big outdoor wedding shoot coming up in Seattle next month and my current images just look so flat and uninspiring. i keep trying to make the zoom work but that f4 aperture is just killing me when the light starts to dip and the bokeh is honestly kinda messy.
i've been trying to figure out which prime to jump to but the l-mount options are making my head spin. so i was thinking maybe the sigma 85mm f1.4 art because everyone raves about it but then i saw the actual size and weight of it and now i'm worried my wrists will be dead. then my logic was maybe the panasonic 85mm f1.8 since it's way lighter and fits my $900 budget better but i'm scared i'm gonna regret not having that f1.4 look.
here is what i have been looking at:
- sigma 85mm f1.4 art
- lumix s 85mm f1.8
- sigma 105mm f1.4 (looks way too heavy)
i just need something that actually hits focus and gives that creamy background because my current setup keeps hunting and it's making me so stressed. i really cant afford to make the wrong choice here and buy something i'll hate... any real world advice?
i totally get the frustration with f4 zooms for portraits, they just dont have that magic. Since you are worried about weight and have a budget under a grand, i have been super happy with the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f1.8. It is basically the perfect practical choice for a wedding day where you are on your feet for hours. Here is why it works well for me:
- Weight: It is so light compared to the Sigma stuff, your wrists wont be screaming by the reception.
- Focus: It is snappy and reliable, much better than hunting with a zoom.
- Price: It is way under your $900 cap. The f1.8 bokeh is still really clean and creamy. For a Seattle wedding where it might be rainy, the weather sealing on the Lumix lens is a huge plus. Skipping the heavier glass was a great move and i dont regret it at all.
Re: i totally get the frustration with f4 zooms... i definitely feel where you're coming from, but im gonna have to slightly disagree with the f1.8 advice if you're really chasing that specific creamy look. In my experience, if you buy the f1.8 now just to save a few bucks, you'll probably end up spending more money later when you inevitably upgrade to the f1.4 anyway. I've wasted so much cash over the years doing exactly that because i was scared of a little extra weight. Quick reply while i have a sec, here is what i have found after shooting a few seasons of weddings:
- Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art: You mentioned the weight, but make sure you are looking at the DG DN version, not the old HSM DSLR one. Its significantly smaller and the autofocus is snappy enough for a walking bride. The way it isolates a subject, even in a busy Seattle park, is just next level compared to f1.8 glass.
- Sigma 65mm f2 DG DN Contemporary: I know f2 sounds like a step backwards, but the rendering on this thing is magical for the price. Its way under your budget and built like a tank. Honestly, if you are already stressed about the flat look, that extra stop of light on the 85mm f1.4 is your best friend when those Seattle clouds roll in. I shot a rainy outdoor ceremony last fall and that f1.4 literally saved my skin when the light died. Its a bit of a workout for the wrists, sure, but the results are just different. You wont regret the extra weight once you see those files... it just has that pro pop you're missing right now.
totally agree with the point about the f1.4 look being worth the weight if you want that creamy background. honestly tho, you should just head over to youtube and search for l-mount portrait lens comparison. there are a few videos that show the focus speed and bokeh side-by-side. it basically answers every question about the budget vs weight trade-offs... definitely watch those before you buy anything.
