Ive been shooting with my trusty A7III for a few years now, mostly sticking to zooms like the 24-70 GM, but lately the bokeh just isnt cutting it for the portrait sessions Ive been booking. The zoom is great for events but I really need that extra stop of light and the subject separation that only a prime can give. Im based in Chicago and have a few outdoor shoots lined up for the fall, so I want something sharp enough to handle the 24mp sensor but still have character.
My constraints are pretty specific:
- Budget is around 800 to 1200 bucks, so I dont mind buying used to get better glass.
- Needs to be an E-mount lens, obviously.
- Focal length should be somewhere between 85mm and 135mm, as that is my sweet spot for compression.
- Ideally weather sealed because, well, Chicago weather is pretty unpredictable.
Ive looked at the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN and the Sony 85mm 1.8 but Im worried the Sony might be a bit too clinical for my taste. Is there anything else that has that dreamy rendering without costing a fortune? Anyone have experience with the older Zeiss glass or should I just stick to modern optics for the eye-af performance...
If you are worried about that clinical look, you might want to consider the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II. It has a much softer rendering that feels more organic. Just be careful with third-party lenses and make sure to update the firmware immediately for the best Eye-AF tracking on your A7III. I would suggest testing it out first since the weather sealing is decent but maybe not as robust as the Sony native glass.
Regarding what #2 said about the Samyang option, I totally get that, but honestly if you can find a good deal on a used Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM, you should just jump on it. I know it sits right at the top of your budget range, but the rendering is honestly in a different league. It has that classic dreamy look you want without feeling outdated on the A7III. I picked mine up used for just over a grand and have been super satisfied with the results. It handles Chicago weather fine in my experience, too. If that is still a stretch, look into the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. It is lighter and sharper than the GM, which is a huge plus for long sessions. Either way, you are gonna be way happier than with that 24-70 zoom.
TL;DR: Grab a used 85mm prime from Sigma or Sony, and honestly dont overthink the clinical vs dreamy aspect too much for professional work. Been shooting portraits on the A7 series for years, and honestly, the jump from a zoom to a fast prime is night and day. If you are worried about the Sony glass being too clinical, you might find what you are looking for in some of the older glass from Sigma. They really nailed that balance of sharpness and character without making you pay the G-Master tax. I have used a few of their prime offerings in the city, and they hold up surprisingly well in that Chicago wind. Dont bother with the vintage Zeiss stuff unless you really want to mess with manual focus adapters. It slows your workflow down too much when you have a client standing there in the cold. Stick to modern glass so the eye-af actually does its job. You will appreciate the weather sealing on basically any mid-to-high tier prime from the major third-party manufacturers, too. Just grab a fast 85mm prime from one of the big third-party players and spend the extra cash on a solid polarizer or just save it for your next body upgrade. The separation you get at 1.4 is gonna be exactly what you need to make those fall portraits pop, regardless of which brand you pick.
