so im totally new to this photography thing and feel kinda dumb asking this, but my sister wants me to take her engagement photos in a couple months and i have no idea what glass to buy. im shooting with a sony a7iii and i just want that super blurry background look that makes portraits look legit. my budget is maybe around 1000 bucks, give or take. i keep seeing people talk about 85mm or 50mm lenses and im honestly just lost with all the numbers and letters. which e-mount lens should i actually get if i want them to look professional without breaking the bank?
Honestly, jumping straight into engagement photos with no experience is pretty brave, but you can definitely get that pro look if you pick the right glass. I started with the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 and honestly, it is the best bang for your buck. I had issues with some of the cheaper third-party stuff breaking after a few months, so I generally stick to native lenses now. The 85mm gives you that dreamy compression for portraits that just makes everything look expensive. Here is what you need to know:
- The 85mm f/1.8 is basically the portrait king on a budget. It is sharp, fast, and the bokeh is lovely.
- If you really need to save cash, look at the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8. It is super cheap, but unfortunately, the autofocus is loud and kinda sluggish compared to the 85mm, so it can be hit or miss.
- Avoid the zoom lenses in that price range, they just dont give you that same creamy background blur you are looking for. If I were you, I would grab the 85mm and spend whatever is left over on a decent memory card like the SanDisk Extreme Pro 128GB SDXC UHS-I. It is not as fancy as the high-end G-Master series, but honestly, nobody is gonna be able to tell the difference if you nail the lighting. Just practice before the big day, okay? Good luck...
Re: "If you want that blurry look, check out..." - honestly, while the Sigma is a beast, that lens is heavy and might be overkill for someone just starting out. If you want a more versatile experience without lugging around a massive chunk of glass, you should look at the Tamron 35-150mm F/2-2.8 Di III VXD. It is a total game changer for events! I have been shooting professionally for over a decade and honestly, primes can be frustrating when you are trying to capture candid moments. This lens gives you everything from wide portraits to tight crops without needing to swap gear mid-session. Here is why you should consider it:
- The f/2 aperture at the wide end is plenty for that creamy background blur you are chasing.
- Having the ability to zoom means you wont be physically running back and forth while your sister is trying to pose.
- It is sharp as a tack and replaces like three different lenses in your bag. Sure, it is a bit more than a basic prime, but you wont need to upgrade for years. Just grab a fast SanDisk Extreme PRO 128GB SDXC UHS-I card so you dont miss any shots while the buffer is clearing. Practice with the zoom range before the big day because having that much flexibility is honestly amazing. You will be glad you have the extra reach when you want to take those nice close-ups of the ring without getting right in her face!
If you want that blurry look, check out the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art. How far away from your sister will you be standing during these engagement shots?