03/03/2026 4:27 pm
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Ive been shooting street for ages but my trusty 35mm GM just crapped out on me right before my big Tokyo trip on Friday. I need a replacement ASAP. Looking for something with insane AF tracking for candid shots on my a7 IV. Should I stick with the GM or is there a better compact prime for fast street work?
5 Answers
11
03/03/2026 4:48 pm
TL;DR: The Sony FE 40mm f2.5 G is great. Im satisfied with the AF tracking on my a7 IV and it works well for fast street shooting.
11
03/03/2026 4:53 pm
Like someone mentioned, those compact lenses are definitely tempting for travel, but I'm gonna disagree a bit on switching to the f2.5 or the cheaper 1.8. I'm always super cautious about gear reliability... I actually had a lens mount get wonky during a trip to Kyoto and it basically ruined my photography for the rest of the week because I didn't trust my focus anymore. Honestly, if you want the safest bet for AF tracking on that a7 IV, just getting another Sony FE 35mm f1.4 GM is probably the smartest move. It's the most reliable for fast movement, even if yours had a freak accident. If you want to save some cash though, the Sigma 35mm f1.4 DG DN Art is a really solid runner-up. It's built like a tank which feels safer than the plastic G series, though it is quite a bit heavier for all-day walking. The AF is decent, but maybe not quite as sticky as the native Sony glass. To me, it depends on if you'd rather save money or have that extra peace of mind... I'd go with the GM again just to be 100% sure.
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03/03/2026 4:28 pm
Unfortunately, my GM had focus issues too, not as good as expected.
- Sony FE 35mm f1.8 Large Aperture It is way lighter for Tokyo and the AF is snappier. Youll love it.
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14/03/2026 2:12 am
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25/03/2026 10:13 am
Like someone mentioned, going small is the way to go for travel, but I've been really happy with the Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary over the native Sony alternatives lately. I used it for a week straight in London and the AF tracking didn't miss a beat even in the rain. Tbh, the build quality feels way more premium than the Sony 35mm 1.8, almost like a mini GM but way lighter. It’s super snappy on the a7 IV and I've had zero complaints with the hit rate on moving subjects. TL;DR: The Sigma 35mm f2 DG DN Contemporary is the sweet spot for build and speed if you're ditching the heavy GM. Quick tip: Keep your eye AF on but map a custom button to toggle between Human and Animal detection so you dont fumble when you see the Shinjuku street cats.
