So I finally saved up and got the Sony A7RIV because I saw a bunch of YouTube videos saying it was the best for detail and stuff but honestly I'm totally lost now. I tried reading the manual and my head started spinning like 5 minutes in lol. I really want to try doing that street photography thing where you just walk around and take cool pictures of people and buildings in the city. I'm going to Chicago in about three weeks for a wedding but I'm staying an extra few days to just wander around and I really want to have one good lens to take with me.
I keep hearing everyone say I should get a prime lens because they are sharper or something? I think that means it doesnt zoom which sounds kind of annoying but I guess it makes the pictures look more professional or more like art? The problem is I have no idea which one to get and I spent way too much money on the camera body so I probably only have like 600 or 700 bucks left for a lens which I know probably isnt much in the camera world. I was looking at a 35mm because someone said it sees like the human eye but then someone else said 50mm is better for not getting too close to strangers because honestly I'm kinda shy and the idea of sticking a camera in someones face makes me super nervous.
Then there is all this stuff about f1.4 vs f1.8 and I have no clue if the extra money is worth it for a beginner like me who probably wont even notice the difference. My logic was that maybe a wider lens is safer so I dont miss anything but then I dont want things to look all distorted and weird. I'm just really confused about what would be the best 'all-rounder' for a total newbie who just wants things to look crisp without having to carry a giant heavy bag of gear around the city all day. I dont want to look like a tourist with a massive setup but I also dont want to get home and realize all my photos are blurry because I bought the wrong thing...
Since you're rocking that A7RIV, you really need glass that can resolve those 61 megapixels or the sensor is kinda wasted, ya know? I've been really happy with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for street stuff lately. It’s got great contrast and the linear motor for autofocus is silent, which is perfect when you're trying to be low-key in the city. If the 35mm feels too wide for your shyness, look at the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE. It's a bit of an underdog but the MTF charts are actually impressive for such a cheap, light lens. It weighs almost nothing and that extra focal length helps you stay back a bit. Plus, you'll have plenty of cash left over for deep dish pizza. Honestly, f1.8 is plenty for street photography since you'll probably be stopping down to f/4 or f/5.6 anyway to get buildings in focus too...
^ This. Also, I totally agree the 35mm f1.8 is the standard pick, but honestly, I had some issues with it on my own A7RIV. I took it out for a weekend in downtown Chicago last fall and unfortunately, the chromatic aberration in high-contrast street scenes was way worse than I expected. I was constantly fixing purple fringing on building edges in post.
- Sony FE 35mm f/1.8: Fast autofocus, but the bokeh looks nervous and messy in crowded backgrounds.
- Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G: This is what I swapped to. Its built like a tank. Unfortunately, f2.5 isnt as bright, but the edge-to-edge sharpness is way more consistent for that 61MP sensor.
- Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE: A budget fix, but the build quality felt like cheap plastic and the AF hunted too much in low light for my taste. If youre shy, that 40mm gives you a tiny bit more reach tho.
Id go with the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8. It works well for street because its reliable and fits that budget safely.
- sharp results
- fast autofocus
- lightweight
Nice, didn't know that
