Ive been shooting street stuff on my A7C with the kit lens for a minute now but honestly the aperture is killing me in low light and it just looks too clinical. I know my way around a camera but I'm hitting a wall deciding on a dedicated prime that isnt gonna weigh me down when I'm walking around Tokyo next month.
- fast autofocus is a must cuz people move quick
- under $750 if possible (used is cool)
- preferably small enough to fit in a jacket pocket
Should I just grab the 35mm f1.8 or is the 55mm Zeiss still worth it in 2024? Or maybe something from Sigma?
Unfortunately, the lenses you are considering have some technical flaws that might frustrate you. I found the Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA quite disappointing because of its significant axial chromatic aberration and dated motor tech. The Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Large Aperture Prime also falls short, as the rendering is overly clinical and the onion-ring bokeh is a mess in street scenes with lots of lights. You should look at these instead for better data-backed performance:
- Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary features SLD glass that vastly outperforms the Sony in corner sharpness.
- Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G Compact Prime has dual linear motors which are objectively faster for tracking quick subjects on your A7C. Honestly, the Sigma is the winner for your budget. Dont get stuck with that old Zeiss glass just for the name if you want modern performance.
