What prime should I actually be picking up for general street and travel work on my A7IV? Ive been shooting primes for years and thought I had my kit dialed, but my old 35mm just took a tumble and the focus motor is toast so now Im back to square one. Budget is around 800 bucks, maybe a grand if its really worth it. I need something sharp for low light but not so heavy it kills my back after a few hours wandering around downtown. Ive been looking at the Samyang vs Sigma, but honestly Im just getting frustrated comparing charts instead of actually shooting... is the 35mm GM worth the extra cash or should I just save the money for a trip?
Just saw this thread and honestly, stop stressing over the charts! If you want to keep that extra cash for travel, look at the Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN Contemporary. It is built like a tank but feels tiny on the A7IV.
- The metal build quality is fantastic and feels way more premium than the price suggests.
- Autofocus is snappy enough for street work, even in low light.
- The aperture ring is super satisfying to use. Compared to the GM, you are giving up a stop of light, but you gain a lens that you will actually carry everywhere without breaking your back. Tbh, unless you are doing heavy professional portraiture wide open, this little Sigma is all you need for travel. Go spend that saved money on a plane ticket instead!
Late to the party, but ive been exactly where you are. Spent way too much time obsessing over corner sharpness when I should have been out shooting. After years of lugging around heavy gear, my back finally gave up, so I switched to the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 and never looked back. It is honestly the sweet spot for travel.
- It weighs basically nothing compared to the GM glass.
- You can throw it in a small bag and forget it is even there.
- The AF is fast enough for anything you'll run into on the street. Save that extra cash for your trip, seriously. You wont regret having the funds for a nice dinner or a hotel upgrade over a slightly thinner depth of field you probably wont even notice in a print.
Honestly, skip the charts. I shoot with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM on my A7IV and it is easily one of the best pieces of glass I own. It is razor sharp wide open, which is exactly what you want for those low light street shots. Yes, it is pricey, but the build quality is incredible and the weight is surprisingly manageable for a f/1.4 prime. It balances perfectly on the body without being front heavy. If you really want to save some cash for travel, check out the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. It is significantly cheaper and super compact. The optical performance is surprisingly good and it feels like a premium lens despite the lower price tag. You lose a little bit of speed compared to the GM, but for travel, the smaller size is a major win. I have used both and while the GM is technically superior, the Sigma is basically invisible in your bag. Dont overthink the MTF charts. Youre gonna be happy with either one, but if you have the budget, just get the GM and be done with it. You wont look back.
