Ive been staring at lens reviews for three hours now and my head is spinning honestly. I finally upgraded to a Sony a7C because I wanted something smaller for when Im walking around Chicago with my kids but now Im stuck on the glass. I have about 600 bucks left in my budget and I need to buy something before we head out for a family trip next Saturday so the clock is ticking.
I did some digging and everyone keeps saying the Sony 35mm f/1.8 is the gold standard for street stuff but then I see other people swearing that the 55mm Zeiss is the only way to go if you want that 3D pop or whatever. But the Zeiss is way over my budget unless I find a beat up used one and Im scared of getting scammed on eBay. I just want one lens that can handle taking quick shots of my toddlers running around but also look decent if Im trying to get some nice architecture shots downtown. Some reviews say the 35mm is too wide and distorts faces but then others say the 50mm is too tight for narrow sidewalks. Its so annoying how one person says one thing and the next guy says the complete opposite.
Is there a middle ground or a specific prime that actually works for both without costing a fortune? Which one should I actually buy for the E-mount?
> Is there a middle ground or a specific prime that actually works for both without costing a fortune? Saw your post earlier and just getting a chance to reply... you might want to consider the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G Compact Prime Lens because it sits right in that 40mm sweet spot. Technically, it uses dual linear motors for really fast tracking, which you will definitely need for kids running around. Be careful with that Sony Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA Lens tho, because its minimum focus distance is pretty long at 0.5m. It can be really annoying in tight Chicago spots. The 40mm G lens matches your a7C size perfectly and even has a physical aperture ring. Just make sure to check the distortion specs... its usually much better for architecture than the 35mm. It should fit your 600 dollar budget if you look at a reputable shop instead of risking a scam on eBay.
Regarding what #1 said about "> Is there a middle ground or a specific prime that actually works for both without costing a fortune?" I really think you would be satisfied with the Samyang AF 45mm F1.8 FE. I was in your exact shoes right before a family trip to Seattle and I just couldnt pull the trigger on those expensive Sony G lenses.
- The 45mm focal length is the ultimate Goldilocks zone—not too wide for faces, but not too tight for the city.
- It weighs basically nothing, keeping the a7C super portable for a full day of walking around.
- Eye-AF works surprisingly well on this thing; I had no complaints when tracking my kids at the park. Ive been very happy with the results for architecture too. Since its a bit longer than a 35mm, you get much less of that weird perspective stretching on the edges of buildings. Best part is it only costs around $350 new usually, so you will have plenty of cash left for your trip. Its a great little sleeper lens that most people overlook and fits the a7C vibe perfectly.
