Ugh, Im losing my mind trying to pick a lens. Ive got a Sony a7iii and I need something for street photography while I travel through Chicago next month, but every review says something different. Im stuck deciding between the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 and the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN. The Sony is smaller which is huge for me since I hate carrying bulk, but the Sigma looks built way better and might be sharper? My budget is capped at 600 bucks so the G Master is totally out of the question, which is super annoying. Is it worth saving the extra cash for the native Sony or should I just grab the Sigma and call it a day?
Just got back from Chicago and honestly, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is just way easier to carry all day. The Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN feels nicer, but the weight kills me.
Honestly, for street work in Chicago, weight matters more than people admit. I have used the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for years on my a7iii and it is basically glued to the body. Be careful with the build quality expectations, though. The Sony is plastic-heavy but its weather sealing is reliable enough for city travel. You might want to consider the ergonomics of the aperture ring on the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary if you enjoy tactile shooting, but that extra heft adds up fast after a full day of walking. Make sure to factor in the weight of your strap setup too. If you are really worried about sharpness, the Sigma is definitely punchier, but for street, that native Sony AF speed is usually the winner.
> The Sony is smaller which is huge for me since I hate carrying bulk Honestly, if you want that perfect balance of optics and size, you have to look at the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE. I was obsessing over the exact same build quality debate you're having until I finally realized that for travel, weight is the ultimate spec. I took this lens out for a full week of shooting in the city and honestly, my back thanked me. It is incredibly compact and the autofocus speed is totally snappy on my a7iii. The sharpness holds up surprisingly well against much pricier glass too. You are gonna be walking miles in Chicago, so don't overthink the metal build of the Sigma. Save that extra cash for some deep dish pizza instead.
