So I just bought a Sony A7 III off facebook marketplace because my sister is getting married in Hawaii in literally three weeks and she asked me to take the photos. I know, crazy pressure and I am completely stressing out because I have basically zero photography experience. I just want the photos to look amazing and not like I shot them on an old iPhone.
Everyone online says I need a 'prime lens' for those blurry backgrounds (bokeh?) but I have no idea what that actually means in terms of what to buy. There are so many numbers like 35mm, 50mm, 85mm and f1.4 and f1.8 and I am totally lost. I just want the absolute best one that will make the photos look professional even if I dont know what Im doing.
Here is what I am dealing with:
- Budget: I can spend up to $1000, maybe $1200 if it is absolutely worth it but cheaper is better obviously.
- Timeline: I need to order it like today so I can practice before we fly out on the 12th.
- Use case: Mostly taking pictures of people at the beach wedding, some sunset shots, and maybe some casual family dinner photos.
- Preferences: Something that autofocuses really fast because I wont know how to manual focus at all.
I keep seeing people talk about the Sony 85mm 1.8 or the Sigma 50mm but then someone else said 35mm is better so you dont have to stand a mile away. Is there just one holy grail prime lens that everyone agrees is the best for a beginner on a Sony mirrorless? Like if you could only buy one lens to not screw this up, what would it be? I am so overwhelmed by all the options on Amazon right now...
I actually did something similar a few years back, shooting a friend's beach vow renewal with a telephoto lens. Let me tell you, I almost fell backward into the ocean trying to fit the couple and the sunset in the frame. For a beach wedding where you want the scenery too, I highly suggest going with a 35mm instead. Here is why you need to be cautious with your choice:
- Focal length: Long lenses are way too tight for group shots or showing the landscape. You will constantly be backing up into the sand dunes.
- Aperture: Shooting wide open at f1.4 is tempting for that blurry background, but the depth of field is so thin. If the couple moves, they will go out of focus. You might want to step down to f2 or f2.8 to be safe.
- Autofocus: You need something native and fast. The Sony FE 35mm f1.8 is light, super snappy, and wont hunt in the bright sun. If you want something a bit tighter, the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art is a beast, but it is heavy and might stretch your budget. Honestly, the 35mm is the safest bet for a beginner who needs to capture the whole scene. Just make sure to practice setting the camera to real-time eye AF before you board that flight.
Re: "Get the Sony FE 85mm f1.8! It is..."
- I struggled with that at a beach wedding. Will you shoot groups?
- Sony FE 35mm f1.8: safe, wide
- Sony FE 85mm f1.8: tight portrait
Get the Sony FE 85mm f1.8! It is amazing!
- Killer fast autofocus
- Insane bokeh It is the ultimate portrait lens!
