What is the top rated prime lens for the Sony Alpha series right now for someone who wants to do a mix of street photography and maybe some portraits? Ive been digging through reviews for weeks and I keep seeing the 35mm f1.4 GM pop up as the gold standard but man the price tag is steep and I dont know if I actually need that much lens.
I also saw some people raving about the Sigma 85mm 1.4 for the bokeh but then others say it is way too heavy for walking around all day and might be too tight for street stuff. I am currently using an A7IV and I live in Seattle so the weather sealing is kinda a big deal since it is always drizzling here. My budget is sitting around $1200 but I could maybe stretch it if something is truly life changing.
Is the 35mm GM really worth the extra cash over something like the Sony 35mm 1.8 or even that older Zeiss 55mm everyone used to love? I just want one lens that I can leave on the camera most of the time without feeling like I am missing out on sharpness or that pro look you get with primes. What are you guys actually using day to day? I'm trying to buy something before a trip next month...
TLDR: The 35mm GM is basically the only lens that wont let you down in the Seattle rain while giving you those clinical specs, but the cheaper options are mostly disappointing for pro work. I really wanted to love the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for street photography since it is so light, but unfortunately, it was a massive letdown during a shoot near the Ballard Locks. The weather sealing just isnt up to snuff and I had some scary moisture issues after a light drizzle. Plus, the chromatic aberration is just nasty in high-contrast scenes... seeing those purple fringes on every metallic surface drove me crazy in post-production. People still rave about the Sony Zeiss FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA but honestly, that lens is showing its age. It uses an older autofocus motor that just cant keep up with the A7IV real-time tracking as well as the newer glass. If you are looking for that specific pro look with smooth bokeh and zero onion rings, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is the only way to go. It uses two XA elements which are ground to a sub-micron level of precision. That tech is why it stays sharp even wide open at f/1.4. It is a lot of cash, but trying to save money on the 1.8 just left me frustrated with soft corners and bad weather resistance. If you are doing portraits too, the 35mm focal length on a high-res sensor gives you enough crop room anyway.
