Ive been shooting with my trusty A7III for about four years now but my 24-70mm zoom is just starting to drive me insane. The weight is becoming a total drag during my weekend street photography sessions in London and the sharpness just isnt hitting like it used to. Im looking for something lighter but still super sharp for general walkaround stuff. Budget is around 600 quid and I need it by next month for a trip. Is the Sony 35mm f/1.8 still the go-to here or should I look at the Sigma contemporary glass? Kinda frustrated trying to compare charts when I just want something that works...
Honestly, ditching the zoom is the best move. I used to lug one around but my back just gave up. For your budget, here is what I would look at:
- Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - super light and fast focus.
- Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary - feels way more premium than the Sony. Just be careful with the Sigma, it is slightly heavier. I would suggest the Sony if you really want that walkaround portability though.
Been thinking about your question for a few hours now and honestly, the math on weight versus optical performance is everything. I once tracked my kit loadout for an entire year and switching to a prime saved me nearly 600g, which is insane for all-day walking! If you really want to maximize that 600 quid, check out the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE. It is significantly cheaper than the Sony glass, leaving you extra cash for a nice filter or maybe even a Peak Design Slide Lite Camera Strap for those long London treks. The sharpness is genuinely amazing for the price point and it keeps the A7III feeling like a featherweight setup. Honestly, you wont regret ditching the zoom for something this compact and efficient. Just grab it and go!
Just saw this thread and honestly, jumping into prime territory is a total game changer for the A7III. The weight reduction is massive! Before we dive into the deep end of lens charts, are you set on 35mm, or have you considered going slightly wider for street stuff? Also, are you strictly looking for autofocus, or would you consider manual focus if the image quality was absolutely mental? TL;DR: Super excited for you to ditch the zoom, but I need to know if you want that classic 35mm focal length or if you crave something wider like a 24mm. Getting those technical details right now will save you a huge headache later when you are out shooting in London. Let me know your thoughts!
