So I finally saved up enough for a new lens for my Sony a7iii but now Im having a total meltdown trying to pick one. Im heading to Tokyo in about three weeks and I really want to get those crisp street shots without carrying a giant brick of glass around. I keep going back and forth between the Sony 35mm f/1.8 FE and the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN. The Sony is super light but Im worried the Sigma has better build quality? My budget is capped at like 600 bucks so the GM version is definitely out. Is the weight difference actually noticeable for all day walking or should I just grab the Sigma and deal with the bulk...
Agree on the weight, but honestly I had issues with the focus breathing on the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8. Maybe check out the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE instead.
> Is the weight difference actually noticeable for all day walking or should I just grab the Sigma and deal with the bulk Honestly, when you are wandering around Tokyo for 10 hours straight, every single gram starts to feel like a ton of bricks. To add to the point above: if you really want that premium feel without the massive weight, you should look at the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary. It is built like a tank compared to the plastic Sony one, but it is still small enough to fit in a jacket pocket. I love the aperture ring on it! It makes shooting street stuff so much more tactile and fun. Dont sweat the bulk too much, the Sigma is tiny. It honestly balances way better on the a7iii than the plastic Sony lens. If you have the extra cash, the build quality on the Sigma is just miles ahead. You are gonna be shooting in tight alleys and crowded train stations, so having that metal construction is actually a huge peace of mind. Just grab a small peak design strap and you will be good to go all day. Honestly, if I were heading to Japan tomorrow, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is the one lens I would put on my camera and never take off. Have a blast in Tokyo, it is an absolute paradise for street photography!
> when you are wandering around Tokyo for 10 hours straight, every single gram starts to feel like a ton of bricks. ^ This. Honestly, I took the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary on a trip recently and it was a bit of a letdown. While the build feels premium, I had issues with the autofocus hunting in low light, which was super frustrating when trying to grab candid shots. Unfortunately, it just wasnt as reliable as I expected for street work. If you want peace of mind, maybe look at the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 again. Yeah, it feels a bit plastic-y compared to the metal Sigma, but the reliability is just better. When you're in a busy place like Tokyo, you really dont want your gear glitching out on you. Stick with the native lens, its lighter for those long walks and itll actually focus when you need it to.
Honestly, you cant go wrong with either but for Tokyo, size is everything. I have spent a ton of time walking around shibuya with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 and its been a total dream. You barely feel it on the camera body, and the AF is snappy enough that I never miss a shot.
- The Sony feels like it was made for the a7iii body
- Sigma glass is great but that extra weight adds up by hour six
- Dont overthink the build quality stuff, the Sony holds up just fine If you really want to keep your setup compact for those all-day trips, just grab the Sony and dont look back. Youll be much happier when you arent lugging extra ounces around in the humidity. Have a blast in Japan, its an incredible city for street stuff.
