Which prime lens is best for portraits on Sony a7C II?

Question

So I just grabbed the a7cii and I'm trying to figure out which prime to commit to for a family portrait session I have coming up in two weeks. I want something that doesnt look ridiculous on such a small body but still gives that professional look. I'm basically stuck between the Sony 85mm f1.8 and the newer Sigma 50mm f1.4 Art.

My main concerns are:

Budget is strictly under $1000

Needs to be light enough for all-day handheld shooting

Looking for that creamy background blur for headshots

The 85mm seems like the smart choice for the price but I keep hearing the Sigma has better colors. Is the Sigma gonna be way too big for the C series body or should I just go for the smaller lens?...

Alberthed · Accepted Answer

I really wanted the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art to be the one for my own C series, but unfortunately, the ergonomics are just terrible. I had issues with it being way too front-heavy for handheld shooting, which basically ruins the whole point of having a compact body. It is a shame because the optics are decent, but the physical size makes it a chore to use for more than twenty minutes without a grip extension. As for the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8, I found it wasnt as good as expected for those high-end headshots you're after. While the weight is definitely right, the background blur gets a bit nervous and busy in high-contrast situations. I was also pretty disappointed by the purple fringing I saw on my last outdoor family shoot... it took way too much time to fix in post. If you are strictly keeping it under $1000, you might want to check out the Samyang AF 85mm f/1.4 FE II. I was skeptical at first, but it actually gives a much creamier look than the Sony 85mm and stays within budget. Another solid path is the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art if you can find a good sale, tho it's still a bit chunky. Basically, the Sony 1.8 is the smart choice for size, but I think you will be let down by the bokeh quality if you are chasing that specific professional look.

tank_vdOi · Answer

Check Camerasize.com for the weight! Love that site!Sony FE 85mm f1.8: Reliable and super light!Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art: Amazing glass but wont balance well!

tank_vdOi · Answer

Check Camerasize.com for the weight! Love that site!Sony FE 85mm f1.8: Reliable and super light!Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art: Amazing glass but wont balance well!