Ive been shooting on the A7III for like four years now and I basically live on my 24-70mm f2.8 but lately I feel like my shots are just... boring? I dont know how to describe it but the zoom is making me lazy and the bokeh just isnt hitting the way it used to. I decided to finally go all-in on a high-end prime for a trip to Seattle next month where I'm doing some street photography and some low light stuff but honestly I am completely paralyzed by the options.
I thought I wanted the 35mm GM but then I started looking at the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN and the price difference is huge but then people say the autofocus is slower on the Sigma? And then there is the 50mm debate. I tried my friends Zeiss 55mm and it was okay but felt a bit dated? My budget is capped at about $1200 so I cant just buy everything. I keep reading reviews and watching videos but every time I think I have a winner I find a forum post saying the lens has terrible chromatic aberration or the motors are loud and now I'm just stressing out that I'll pick the wrong one and ruin the trip photos.
Should I go for the wider 35mm or stick to a 50mm if I want that really creamy background for portraits? Is the GM glass really worth the premium for someone who isnt doing professional studio work every day? I'm kind of freaking out because I need to order this by Friday to get it in time for my flight...
Regarding what #2 said about "Just saw this and figured iād share my..." - skip the stress! Grab the Sony FE 35mm f1.8. Super reliable! Amazing AF! You wont regret it!
Man, you're gonna love the 35mm focal length for Seattle! It's perfect for those rainy street vibes and tight alleyways. Honestly, you do not need to blow your whole $1200 budget to get incredible results. I've shot with the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art and it is a total beast! The MTF charts on this thing are insane and the autofocus speed on the A7III is fantastic... dont let the forum nerds scare you away. It's way cheaper than the GM and the image quality is basically identical in the center. If you want to save even more cash and keep your kit light for travel, grab the Sony FE 35mm f1.8. It's tiny, super sharp, and those linear motors mean it focuses instantly. Use the extra money for a nice circular polarizer or some good seafood while you're there!
> Is the GM glass really worth the premium for someone who isnt doing professional studio work every day? Quick reply while I have a sec... honestly I have been super satisfied just sticking with the native Sony lenses. You cant really go wrong there. I am a big believer in the reliability factor... especially when you are traveling and dont want to fiddle with settings or worry about how the lens is gonna talk to the body. Just pick up any of the Sony branded primes that fits your budget. They are built so well and the autofocus is basically flawless in my experience. I have had zero complaints with mine over the years. They just work every single time which is what you want when you are out exploring a new city. Go Sony and you wont regret it, seriously.
Just saw this and figured iād share my own headache from last year. I was basically in your shoes right before a big trip and i ended up overthinking the technical specs so much i forgot about how the lens actually feels to carry... itās a total trap. I once had a really expensive, fast prime and honestly? I kind of hated using it for travel. It was just a beast to lug around. Here is what i learned from that mess:
- The weight balance on the Sony Alpha a7 III matters way more than people say. If the lens is too heavy, the camera tilts forward on your strap and hits your hip all day. It gets old really fast.
- Be careful with those ultra-wide apertures. Shooting street at f1.4 is cool until you realize half your shots are slightly out of focus because people are moving and the depth of field is paper thin.
- Make sure to check the weather sealing. Seattle is constant mist and iāve seen people ruin glass because they thought moisture resistant meant waterproof. I actually swapped a heavy setup for a much smaller one because the weight was making me not want to take the camera out of the bag. The grass isnt always greener on the high-end side, especially if you're walking 10 miles a day. I would suggest really looking at the physical size before you hit buy because a heavy setup makes you lazy way faster than a zoom lens does. I spent way too much time worrying about bokeh and not enough about my actual comfort while walking.
