I've been staring at my A7IV for like three days now just trying to decide which prime to pull the trigger on because honestly I'm tired of my kit lens. I'm heading out to Kyoto in late October so I really want something that can handle those low light streets but also get some nice shots of my wife while we're exploring. My budget is sticking pretty firm around $900 because the trip itself is already costing me a fortune.
So my logic was to start with the Sony 35mm f/1.8 because everyone online says it is basically the gold standard for a first prime. It's light and fast and wont break my back while I'm walking 20k steps a day. But then I started reading some threads and people were saying the 55mm Zeiss is actually better for that magic look even though it's an older design. That's where I'm getting stuck. Is the extra reach of the 55mm gonna make it too tight for narrow streets or am I overthinking the focal length thing?
I also looked at the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art series which looks amazing in sample photos but man it looks chunky. I'm worried if I get a massive lens I'll just end up leaving it in the hotel room because I'm lazy. I want that one and done prime for the trip. The 35mm seems more practical but then I see the 85mm f/1.8 is super cheap right now and the portraits look incredible. But I cant imagine trying to shoot architecture or crowded markets with an 85mm lens... it just seems like I'd be constantly backing into people or walls.
Is there a middle ground I'm missing here? Like maybe the 40mm G lens? I saw one review saying it's the perfect compromise but then another person said the f/2.5 aperture isnt fast enough for that blurry background look I'm after. I'm just going in circles at this point trying to find the sweet spot between size and performance...
I went through this exact same headache before my Tokyo and Osaka trip. Lugging an A7RIII around is no joke, and honestly, I'm so glad I settled on the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 for my main lens. I actually tried out the Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA first because everyone raves about that Zeiss look, and it is gorgeous for portraits, but Kyoto is tight. Like, really tight. If you're walking through Sannenzaka or those narrow alleys in Gion, the 55mm feels like you're looking through a straw. You'll literally be backing into a matcha shop just to get a temple gate in the frame. The 35mm is just the sweet spot. Spending days walking 25k steps is rough, and this lens never felt like a burden. I did consider the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art too since the photos look incredible, but that thing is a total brick. When you're traveling, weight is your biggest enemy. The f/1.8 on the Sony handles those dimly lit Kyoto streets at night perfectly fine. Some of my favorite shots from Pontocho Alley were taken with it and they were crisp as hell. If you're worried about the bokeh for shots of your wife, just get a bit closer. At f/1.8, you still get that lovely separation. I've been super satisfied with it as a one and done travel prime and it hasn't let me down yet. It basically lives on my camera now.
Agree 35mm is the sweet spot. You should look at the Samyang AF 35mm F1.8 FE to save money; it is sharp, has a customizable switch, and weighs basically nothing for long walks.
Like someone mentioned, 35mm is the sweet spot for those Kyoto streets. If the Art series is too chunky, check out the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary. It is an i-series lens with an all-metal build and a tactile aperture ring. It fits your budget easily and weighs way less than the f1.4 version. The MTF charts are actually impressive for this size, and it handles the A7IV sensor resolution without any issues.
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