I've been looking at the Sony 85mm 1.4 GM but some reviews say it's really showing its age and the AF is loud and slow for video which I might do. Then there's the Sigma 85mm Art which is cheaper and sharper but I keep hearing the bokeh isn't as dreamy or whatever. I’m honestly freaking out because my sister’s wedding is in three weeks and I’m the designated photographer. I need that buttery smooth look but I cant decide.
- Budget: $1500 max
- Use: low light indoor ceremonies
- Priorities: smooth bokeh and fast eye-af
Should I just get the GM and deal with the slow focus or is there something better I’m missing... maybe a 135mm?
Like someone mentioned, the Sigma is solid, but Ive had great luck with the Sony FE 85mm f1.8 for ceremonies.
- linear motors
- budget friendly Bokeh is decent too.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I would actually be very careful about going with the f1.8 or the Sigma if this is your first time shooting a wedding. While those are decent options for general use, I have always found it safer to stick with native Sony GM lenses for high-stakes events like a ceremony. Third-party glass can occasionally have communication hiccups with the body, and you really dont want to miss a key moment because the focus hunted for a split second in a dark church. The 85mm GM is definitely showing its age with the noisy AF motors, especially for video. Since you have a 1500 budget, I would suggest looking at these two instead:
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM
- This is a much newer lens and the AF is nearly instant and silent. It fits your budget perfectly and provides that professional rendering you are looking for.
- Sony FE 135mm f/1.8 GM
- You might need to find a used copy to stay under your price limit, but the compression and bokeh are superior to any 85mm. Personally, I think the 50mm GM is the most reliable choice for an indoor wedding. It is wide enough to capture more of the scene if the venue is tight, but the f1.4 aperture still gives you that buttery background. Reliability is everything when you are the designated photographer, so I would prioritize the faster AF tech in the newer Sony primes.
In my experience, the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art is your best bet.
- Faster AF
- Stunning bokeh Over the years, I've found it's way more reliable for weddings.
Listen, if you are doing a wedding in three weeks, do not gamble on old tech! The original Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM is just too slow for modern eye-AF, especially when the bride is walking down the aisle. You will be stressed and the noise will drive you crazy.
- The Sony FE 135mm F1.8 GM is honestly the king of bokeh. It is sharper than the 85mm and the autofocus is blazing fast. Seriously, the subject separation is magic!
- If you really need the 85mm focal length, look at the Sony FE 85mm F1.4 GM II. It is brand new, tiny, and the focus is insanely fast compared to the original version. Save yourself the headache and go with one of these newer native lenses. You want total peace of mind for a wedding, and these two will absolutely nail the shot every single time. Good luck, you are gonna do amazing!
