> I keep seeing the 85mm 1.4 DG DN Art pop up as the go-to for Sony shooters but then some people say the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is better because it's more flexible. I totally agree with the previous advice about the zoom! For something as important as your sisters engagement photos, the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is such a safe and reliable choice. It is absolutely amazing for switching from wide environmental shots to tight portraits without missing a beat! Since you want that high-end look tho, here is how they stack up technically:

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: Incredible sharpness and bokeh! It is the king of portraits but requires significant physical room to move.
• Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art: A fantastic middle ground. It gives you way more space than the 85mm while still providing that gorgeous f/1.4 depth that a zoom just cant match. Autofocus on the A7IV with these newer DN lenses is snappy and super dependable. Using the 50mm feels very natural for candid shots. Good luck!

> I keep seeing the 85mm 1.4 DG DN Art pop up as the go-to for Sony shooters but then some people say the 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art is better because it's more flexible. In my experience, you should definitely grab the Sigma 24-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Art. Over the years I've learned that having that zoom range is way safer for a busy garden shoot where you cant always back up. Missing a shot because you're too tight is the worst feeling. It fits your $1100 budget perfectly and is super reliable on the A7IV.

Just stumbled onto this thread and wanted to throw a bit of a curveball out there. Are you planning on doing any close-up shots of the engagement ring or maybe some detail shots of the flowers in the garden? If you want to really impress her with a variety of shots, you might want to check out the Sigma 105mm f/2.8 DG DN Macro Art. It falls right into your budget and honestly gives that 85mm a run for its money in terms of sharpness and background blur. Plus, being able to get those super close macro shots of the ring is a total game changer for engagement sessions. If you're worried about things being too tight though, the Sigma 35mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is a solid pick. It lets you get those environmental portraits where you actually see the botanical garden, not just a blurred mess behind them. I use it on my A7IV all the time and the eye-af is basically magic. Both are way better than a kit lens, ngl.

Exactly what I was thinking

Regarding what #3 said about "Exactly what I was thinking" in terms of the zoom flexibility, I actually find that for reliability and that specific aesthetic look, a prime is a better investment. I've used these on the A7IV and the autofocus performance is very consistent for eye-tracking.

• The Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is the best for portraits if you want that high-end look. It is much smaller than the old versions and it wont weigh you down too much during a long shoot.
• The Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art is a more practical choice if you're worried about space. It gives you a similar blurry background but you dont have to stand 15 feet away to get a full-body shot. Quick tip: If you choose a prime, keep your shutter speed high. At f/1.4 the depth of field is very thin and even a little bit of movement can throw off the focus on the eyes.

Building on the earlier suggestion, I think the debate between the zoom and the prime really just comes down to how much you're willing to move your feet. Honestly, you're gonna do great with the shoot regardless of which one you pick because the Sony A7IV is so good at handling focus anyway. Coming back to this, if you're feeling nervous about the technical side, just go with any high-end lens from the Sigma professional line. Their newer stuff is basically on par with the first-party glass these days and usually way more budget-friendly for us regular shooters. You might even find that a wider zoom or a longer telephoto from them fits your style better than the standard lengths people usually talk about.

• Sigma glass usually gives you a bit more character in the rendering.
• Sony native options are occasionally a bit lighter for all-day carrying.
• The autofocus on any modern pro-grade glass is basically flawless for eye-tracking now. Tbh, as long as it's a fast lens from them, your sister is gonna love the results. Don't stress too much about the tiny differences between specific models... the botanical garden light will do half the work for you anyway. If you need more help narrowing it down, just let me know!