I'm trying to figure out which prime lens is actually the best for Sony Alpha portrait stuff because I have a wedding gig in literally two weeks and my current zoom just isnt cutting it for the low light look I want. I am totally torn between the Sony 85mm f1.8 and the Sigma 85mm f1.4 Art... the Sigma is heavier and a bit more expensive but people say the bokeh is way better but then I see the Sony is like half the price and super light for walking around all day. Budget is strictly under $1100 cause I still need to buy extra batteries and a new bag so the G-Master is totally out of the question sadly. I'm also kinda looking at the Zeiss 55mm f1.8 just for the versatility since I'm worried the 85mm might be too tight for the indoor reception part but idk if 55mm gives that same wow factor for the bride portraits? I'm in Chicago and the venue is this old botanical garden with some cramped paths so maybe the 55 is safer? But I really want that blurry background. My A7IV is ready but I need to pull the trigger on the glass like tomorrow to get it in time to practice. Is the Sigma worth the extra weight and cash or should I just stick with the Sony 85? Or is the 55mm a better all-rounder??
tl;dr - the Sony FE 85mm f1.8 is your best bet for a mix of value and performance, but the Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA is the safer choice if those garden paths are really tight. ive been in your shoes before. i remember shooting this one ceremony in a really cramped greenhouse once. i brought this massive, heavy prime thinking i needed that f1.4 bokeh, and honestly? i spent the whole time tripping over planters and apologizing to the front row because i had to stand so far back to frame the couple. it was a mess and i missed some key candid moments because i was just too close for the space. it was stressful and i barely used the lens again that day. for a long wedding day, reliability and weight usually matter more than that tiny extra bit of blur. the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art is a gorgeous lens, no doubt, but after six hours of shooting, youre gonna feel every gram of that thing in your wrist. the Sony FE 85mm f1.8 is plenty sharp and the autofocus is actually faster in some cases, which is what you really need when the ceremony is moving fast and you cant miss the kiss. if the garden paths are really as narrow as you say, the Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f1.8 ZA might be your best friend for the reception. it doesnt have the same compression as an 85, but its sharp and tiny. but for the wow bride shots? the sony 85 is the logical choice. it keeps you under budget so you can afford those batteries and the bag, which is the safer move for a professional gig.
