I am honestly about to lose it trying to pick a lens because every single person on YouTube says something different and it is making my head spin. I have been looking for a dedicated portrait prime for my Sony a7iii to shoot my cousins wedding in San Diego next month and I am totally stuck between the Sony 85mm f1.8 and the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN. I read the Sony is the budget king but then some guys say the Sigma bokeh is way creamier and better for professional work. But then I see people complaining about the Sigma being too heavy or having autofocus issues in low light compared to native glass? Like which is it?? I dont want to spend a grand on a lens that misses focus when she is walking down the aisle because that would be a nightmare.
Heres what I am looking for:
- Budget is strictly under $1000 (cant go higher or my wife will kill me)
- Needs to be sharp even at f1.8 or f1.4
- Fast enough autofocus for a moving bride
- Not a brick because I am gonna be on my feet for 8 hours
I keep going back and forth and every time I think I have decided I read another forum post that says the opposite. Does anyone actually use these for professional gigs or are they just gear geeks arguing over nothing... I just need one solid answer so I can buy the thing and stop thinking about it.
I really wanted to love the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art, but it was a letdown at my last wedding gig. It is heavy, and unfortunately, the focus pulsed right as the bride came down the aisle. I missed the shot. I went back to the Sony FE 85mm f1.8 because reliability matters most. Quick tip: Stick to native lenses for weddings so you dont miss key moments.
