So I've been doing most of my work on the Lumix 24-70 lately but I have a huge wedding coming up next month and I'm really itching for a dedicated portrait prime for my S5II. I'm currently stuck between the Sigma 85mm 1.4 DG DN and the 105mm 1.4 Art... the 105 is kind of a legend but man that thing is huge and I'm worried about the weight for a 10 hour day. Plus my studio space here in Seattle is pretty cramped so the 105 might be way too long? My budget is roughly $1200 and I'm leaning toward the 85 because of the size but part of me thinks I'll regret not having that 105 bokeh. Which one would you guys grab for L-mount if you had to pick just one?
I would pick the 85, but unfortunately i had issues with the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art during a dim ceremony last month. It hunted too much. To add to the point above: the weight of the 105 is a nightmare, but the 85s reliability was a letdown too. For weddings, i recommend the Panasonic Lumix S 85mm f1.8. Its much safer and more consistent.
Honestly, i been through this exact dilemma when i was building out my L-mount kit for the s5ii. I used to lug the Sigma 105mm f/1.4 DG HSM Art around for full day events and by hour six my wrist was absolutely shot. Its a legendary piece of glass, nicknamed the bokeh master for a reason, but its basically a dumbbell with a lens mount. For a 10 hour wedding day, you are gonna feel every single gram of that thing. I ended up switching to the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for my primary portrait work and honestly havent looked back once. Since you mentioned your studio space in Seattle is cramped, the 105mm is likely gonna have you backing into the walls just to get a headshot. The 85mm is much more versatile for those tight indoor spots. Plus, the 85mm dg dn version was built from the ground up for mirrorless cameras like yours, so the autofocus is snappy and it balances perfectly on the s5ii body without needing a tripod collar. The bokeh is still butter smooth and at f1.4 you get plenty of that separation you are looking for. Save yourself the back pain and go with the 85mm, especially since it fits right into that $1200 budget and leaves you some room for extra batteries or a fast sd card. Its just a more sensible tool for professional work.
Honestly, just thinking about carrying that 105mm for 10 hours makes my shoulder hurt lol. If you want something super reliable that wont fail you during the ceremony, you gotta check out the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art. I absolutely love it on my S5II because the autofocus is just so fast and it feels way safer than the older glass. Here is why I think its better for you:
- The 50mm focal length is fantastic for cramped studios where an 85mm might be too tight.
- It is much lighter than the 105mm but still gives you that pro Art series look and amazing bokeh.
- Its usually under $1000 so you save some cash for extra batteries! Being a bit of a nervous shooter myself, I always prioritize that AF reliability over everything else... nothing worse than a blurry bride! The 50mm Art is definitely the way to go imo. It is a total lifesaver for me.
Can vouch for this
Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
Just saw this thread while scrolling. Before I get into the weeds, are you planning to do more outdoor location shoots for this wedding season or is it mostly for that cramped studio space you mentioned? Reading about your weight concerns brings back memories of when I first started. I used to lug around this massive bag that felt like it was filled with bricks. My cousin tried to help me at a gig once and nearly dropped my entire kit because he wasnt expecting the sheer mass of those old setups. It turned into a whole ordeal where we spent half the reception checking for damage while I tried to keep a smile on for the bride. I was just happy to be working back then, honestly. I was so satisfied with my first big paycheck that I blew half of it on a fancy vintage leather strap... it didnt make the gear lighter, but it looked cool.
Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
