Stumbled upon this and I gotta say, I politely disagree with the need for such expensive glass. I've been doing this for years and honestly, you dont need to empty your bank account on those top-tier Sony models just to freeze motion. My advice? Just look at the third-party brands. Go with Sigma or Tamron and you really cant go wrong. Basically any of their recent fast primes will keep up with the autofocus on your a7R IV without a hitch. Most people wont ever see the difference in their shots, but youll definitely see the difference in your bank balance. Just grab a solid wide-aperture prime from one of those guys and get out there...

Regarding what #5 said about bump - honestly, just bumping the thread wont help people avoid the marketing trap here. Unfortunately, spending two grand on glass for street work often leads to disappointment because the physical inertia of heavy G-Master elements actually slows down the focus cycle during micro-adjustments. I had issues with flagship lenses not keeping up with the a7R IV high-res sensor during fast bursts because they are just too bulky. Its not as good as expected given the price tag. Technically, you want lenses with dual XD linear motors and low element mass. The Sony FE 35mm f1.8 is actually more efficient for street because the glass is lighter for the motors to move compared to the 35mm GM. You save at least a thousand bucks and get arguably snappier response in AF-C. tl;dr: Skip the heavy G-Master glass for fast street. Get the Sony FE 35mm f1.8 or a used Sony FE 28mm f2 to get better AF-C response times while keeping the setup light.

Regarding what #3 said about "Stumbled upon this and I gotta say, I politely disagree with the need for such expensive glass"

• I understand the perspective, but the technical specifications suggest otherwise for high-res bodies. I have owned the Sony FE 35mm f/1.4 GM since launch and the XD Linear motors are fantastic! They provide much higher torque than standard stepping motors, which is vital for the a7R IV sensor. The discussion so far highlights a choice between the versatile Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II, the compact Sony FE 20mm f/1.8 G, and third-party value. Native XD motors are the clear technical winner for tracking fast subjects. Quick tips for fast subjects:
• Use AF-C with Tracking: Flexible Spot.
• Set AF-C Priority Selection to Focus to avoid soft frames. TL;DR: The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II is technically superior due to its quad motor system. It is amazing how much of a difference that torque makes for high-res street photography!

For capturing fast-moving subjects in street photography with your Sony a7R IV, prioritize lenses with rapid autofocus and wide apertures to minimize motion blur. The Sony FE 24-70mm F2.8 GM II offers a versatile focal range, fast f/2.8 aperture, and advanced autofocus, making it ideal for dynamic scenes. Alternatively, the Sony FE 24mm f/1.4 GM provides a wider field of view and exceptional low-light performance, enhancing subject isolation. Both lenses excel in capturing sharp images of moving subjects.

I've had great success with the Sony 20mm f/1.8 G for capturing fast-moving subjects. The wider angle means you need to get closer, but it also means you can use slower shutter speeds while still freezing motion (since wider lenses show less motion blur at equivalent speeds). The f/1.8 aperture is fantastic in low light, and the lens is surprisingly compact for what it offers. The AF is snappy too!

Honestly, trying to get reliable focus tracking on an a7R IV for fast street stuff is a total nightmare and it drives me crazy. You pay these insane premium prices and the companies still cant seem to guarantee the AF wont hunt when it actually matters. Its such a scam that we are expected to drop two grand on glass just to have a chance at freezing motion without it being a soft mess. Quality control is honestly a joke lately... I have seen so many high-end lenses with decentered elements or linear motors that just give up after a few months of heavy use. It is like they just want us on this endless upgrade cycle instead of building something that actually lasts and performs consistently in the field. Ngl, it feels like the industry is just coasting on marketing hype while the actual mechanical reliability is tanking. It is basically a lottery at this point whether your gear will actually hit those critical focus points when subjects are moving fast.

bump