Ive been shooting Sony for like five years now and I thought I had my kit totally figured out. But I just picked up an A7Cii for a compact travel setup while keeping my old A7IV for client work, and none of my current primes feel right on both bodies. The balance is all messed up or the focal length acts weird depending on which sensor Im grabbing. Im looking for one single prime lens around the 35mm or 50mm mark that actually handles well across different E-mount bodies without feeling massive on the smaller one or too toy-like on the bigger one. My budget is under a grand. Which prime lens is actually working for people who switch between bodies constantly?
> Balancing an A7Cii and an A7IV is a nightmare if you use those bulky G Master lenses. ^ This. Also, honestly, the G lenses are just too much glass for a travel body. I tried the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G and unfortunately it was just not as sharp as expected in low light. I had issues with focus hunting too. Definitely look at the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE instead, saves tons of cash for better results.
Yeah exactly what the second reply said about the bulky glass ruining the balance. If you want something that actually stays under a grand and handles great on both your A7IV and the A7Cii, check out the Sigma 35mm F2 DG DN Contemporary. It's built like a tank with all-metal housing, aperture ring feels super satisfying, and it just balances right. Not too heavy for the compact body, but has enough heft that it doesn't feel like a toy on the bigger rig. Plus you can usually find them used for way under budget, which leaves you some cash for filters or extra batts. Been using mine for months hopping between bodies and honestly zero complaints.
> none of my current primes feel right on both bodies. The balance is all messed up I totally get that. Balancing an A7Cii and an A7IV is a nightmare if you use those bulky G Master lenses. I used to swap between my A7RIII and my a6400, and honestly, the front-heavy feel just ruins the day. You might want to consider the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G Full-frame Lens. Its super compact and feels like it was made exactly for the A7C series, but it holds up surprisingly well on the A7IV too. Dont let the size fool you, the glass is sharp and the focus rings have a really nice tactile feel. It stays balanced on both bodies perfectly, so you wont feel like you're fighting the gear when you switch. Be careful with those heavy 1.2 or 1.4 primes, they just throw the center of gravity off way too much for a travel setup. Just make sure to keep a dust blower handy when swapping, since you're moving between bodies so often. If 40mm feels a bit tight, the Sony FE 50mm f/2.5 G Full-frame Lens is practically the same weight and build. Either one should keep your kit feeling light but pro enough for client work. Hope that gives you a solid starting point for your travel bag.