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Best all-around prime lens for the Sony a7 IV?

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I recently upgraded to the Sony a7 IV, and while I love the versatility of my zooms, I’m really craving a simpler 'one lens, one camera' setup for daily use. I’m looking for that perfect all-around prime that can handle everything from street photography to casual portraits of my kids. I’ve been torn between the classic 35mm and 50mm focal lengths—specifically looking at the 35mm f/1.4 GM versus something more compact like the 40mm f/2.5 G. I want great autofocus and sharpness, but portability is also key so I actually take it out with me. If you could only keep one prime on your a7 IV for everyday shooting, which one would it be and why?


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12

Seconding the recommendation above. This^ Also wanted to add that from a technical perspective, while the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is the gold standard, it’s literally 524g... that’s gonna feel like a brick for 'daily' use on your Sony a7 IV. > specifically looking at the 35mm f/1.4 GM versus something more compact like the 40mm f/2.5 G If ur looking to save cash but want great AF, check out the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8. It’s basically half the price of the GM (usually around $600-$650) and weighs only 280g. It still has the dual linear motors for snappy tracking. Ngl, the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G is the king of portability at 173g, but f/2.5 might be tight for dim indoor shots. If ur really budget-conscious, the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE is like $350 and performs surprisingly well for the price...


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^ This. Also, you might want to be careful about jumping straight to the Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G if you really care about those portraits. Its super tiny and reliable, but f/2.5 can feel a bit limiting when you want that background to melt away. Basically, the consensus here is that the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM is the king of quality but a pain to carry, while the smaller ones are better for daily use. I would suggest the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 as a middle ground. Its reliable, has a dedicated focus hold button, and doesnt feel like a literal rock on your a7 IV. Make sure to consider if you actually need f/1.4 before spending the extra cash, cause the weight really does change how often you'll grab the camera. If it's too heavy, you wont use it... simple as that.





3

Same here!


2

Just wanted to say thanks for everyone chiming in. Super helpful discussion.


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