I've used the 24-70 GM forever but got a high-end gig in NYC next week and need that f1.4 bokeh. I'm looking at the 85mm vs the 50mm GM but I'm worried about the eye-AF tracking speed being weird on my older body. Which prime lens is the actual goat for Sony portraits?
I used both for a shoot in Manhattan last year. The Sony FE 85mm f/1.4 GM has decent compression, but the AF speed felt a bit dated on my older body.
- 85mm: Classic look, but slower focus motors.
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.4 GM: Modern tracking and better for tight city streets. The 50mm is the goat for reliability when you cant afford to miss focus on a gig.
Totally agree with the others... that 85 GM is basically a snail. For your NYC gig, look at these:
- Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E: Way faster tracking than the old Sony 85 and saves cash.
- Sony FE 50mm f/1.2 GM: Absolute beast for bokeh if you can swing the price. The Sigma is prob the best value option. Honestly, you should just rent them first.
^ This. Also, I love how much everyone is focusing on the reliability side of things! It is so crucial when you're on a big job. Seeing everyone agree on these points is amazing:
- The older lens motors are basically snails compared to the new stuff.
- Modern tracking is the way to go if you want to actually hit focus.
- Reliability is everything when you are in a high-pressure city environment! Man, this whole conversation reminds me so much of when my buddy Dave went to Brooklyn for a huge fashion shoot last fall. He was so hyped! He spent weeks prepping his kit and making sure every single battery was charged and ready to go. But then, right as he got to the location near the bridge, he realized his favorite prime lens had a tiny rattling sound inside. He spent the next three hours panicking and trying to find a local shop that was open on a Sunday just to get a second opinion on the glass... it was a total disaster and he ended up using his backup the whole time anyway! It was such a wild ordeal to watch from the group chat. Truly a nightmare scenario for any pro... I love seeing how helpful everyone is being tho!
Ok adding this to my list of things to try. Thanks for the tip!
Came here to say the same thing lol. Great minds think alike I guess.
Honestly, you might want to be careful with that 85mm on an older body. I remember a high-stakes shoot where my AF just started hunting right when the light was perfect... it was a nightmare. I think the 50mm has those newer XD linear motors which are way more reliable for tracking, but I'm not 100% sure. Better to play it safe for a NYC gig.
100% agree