Quick reply while I have a sec! Are you gonna be shooting mostly outdoors in wide areas or in tighter spots downtown? Seattle has some cool alleys but they can be a bit cramped for an 85mm lens sometimes. I love a good deal and there are three ways you could go:

• Sony FE 85mm f1.8: This is my favorite for the price. It is super light and the autofocus is just fantastic. Best bang for your buck by far.
• Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art: Like the other guy said, the bokeh is amazing but it is kinda heavy and definitely more expensive.
• Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 FE II: If you want that 1.4 look for way less cash, this one is a beast for the price. Honestly I would just grab the Sony 1.8 and use the leftover cash for a nice bag or some filters tbh! It is such a solid lens.

Quick reply while I have a sec! Are you gonna be shooting mostly outdoors in wide areas or in tighter spots downtown? Seattle has some cool alleys but they can be a bit cramped for an 85mm lens sometimes. I love a good deal and there are three ways you could go:

• Sony FE 85mm f1.8: This is my favorite for the price. It is super light and the autofocus is just fantastic. Best bang for your buck by far.
• Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art: Like the other guy said, the bokeh is amazing but it is kinda heavy and definitely more expensive.
• Samyang AF 85mm f1.4 FE II: If you want that 1.4 look for way less cash, this one is a beast for the price. Honestly I would just grab the Sony 1.8 and use the leftover cash for a nice bag or some filters tbh! It is such a solid lens.

> what is actually the best prime that wont break my bank maybe under 1100 bucks? I would suggest the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Sony E-mount for that engagement shoot. Just be careful tho, its quite a bit heavier than what you are used to. Make sure to test the autofocus in low light before the big day. If you want something lighter, you might want to consider the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8 instead...

Late to the party but I have some thoughts based on the specs. Like someone mentioned, the Sigma is top tier, but lets look at the actual data. I have been very happy with my prime setup and here is how they stack up for your a7 IV.

• Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

This works well if you want to stay light. Its basically the best value per gram. Very satisfied with the center sharpness at f/1.8, though the corners get a bit softer. It uses a double linear motor system which is basically silent and works well for eye-tracking.

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Sony E-mount

This is the technical winner. It has 11 rounded diaphragm blades for that perfect circular bokeh you are missing. Weighs about 630g so its heavier than the Sony, but the optical performance is superior in every metric, especially chromatic aberration control. I am always happy with the contrast this glass produces.

• Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II

If you want f/1.4 but need to save cash, this works well. The weather sealing is a big plus for Seattle weather and it holds up fine against the more expensive brands. Honestly for an engagement shoot under 1100 bucks, the Sigma is the clear winner for pure image quality. The sharpness is just clinical. Just make sure your shutter speed stays high to handle the extra weight if you dont have steady hands... those 15 elements in the lens add up. No complaints from me on any of these tho, they all outperform that kit lens by a mile.

Late to the party but I have some thoughts based on the specs. Like someone mentioned, the Sigma is top tier, but lets look at the actual data. I have been very happy with my prime setup and here is how they stack up for your a7 IV.

• Sony FE 85mm f/1.8

This works well if you want to stay light. Its basically the best value per gram. Very satisfied with the center sharpness at f/1.8, though the corners get a bit softer. It uses a double linear motor system which is basically silent and works well for eye-tracking.

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art Sony E-mount

This is the technical winner. It has 11 rounded diaphragm blades for that perfect circular bokeh you are missing. Weighs about 630g so its heavier than the Sony, but the optical performance is superior in every metric, especially chromatic aberration control. I am always happy with the contrast this glass produces.

• Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II

If you want f/1.4 but need to save cash, this works well. The weather sealing is a big plus for Seattle weather and it holds up fine against the more expensive brands. Honestly for an engagement shoot under 1100 bucks, the Sigma is the clear winner for pure image quality. The sharpness is just clinical. Just make sure your shutter speed stays high to handle the extra weight if you dont have steady hands... those 15 elements in the lens add up. No complaints from me on any of these tho, they all outperform that kit lens by a mile.