> I don't get the difference between the 35mm or 50mm or 85mm ones it's all just numbers to me. I totally get the confusion! Honestly you picked an amazing camera with that A7IV. For portraits with that killer blurry background, you really gotta look at these two specific lenses. They are both way better than a standard kit lens. First is the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. This thing is incredible for weddings! The 85mm focal length makes people look fantastic and the background just melts away into cream. It is a bit heavy tho. Then there is the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. Its more of a natural view. Great for chasing kids around because you dont have to stand as far back.

• 85mm: Superior bokeh, amazing for weddings, but requires more physical space.
• 50mm: Highly versatile, better for indoor shots. I personally love the 85mm for that high-end pro look!

I've tested most of the Sigma lineup on my A7IV over the years. Before I suggest a final choice tho, are you mostly shooting the kids in tight indoor spaces or outdoors? That makes a huge difference for which lens works best. Heres my take:

• Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E gives the best background separation but requires lots of room and is slightly over budget.
• Sigma 65mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary for Sony E is more versatile for smaller rooms and fits your budget better.

Quick reply while I have a sec... if you want that super blurry background for your kids and the wedding, you gotta look at the f-number. Lower is better for blur. For your budget, you might want to consider the Sigma 50mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E. It is basically the standard for portraits, but be careful because f/1.4 has a very thin slice of focus. If your kids are running around, you might find their nose is sharp but their eyes are blurry if you arent quick. Honestly though, for a wedding, shooting with just one fixed lens is kinda risky if you're new. I would suggest checking out the Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary for Sony E instead. It fits right in your 800 dollar budget and gives you way more flexibility. You wont get as much background blur as the 50mm, but f/2.8 is still plenty to make people pop from the background. One big warning tho: make sure you buy the DG DN versions of these lenses. Those are specifically made for mirrorless cameras like your Sony. Some older Sigma lenses are huge and require adapters, which just adds weight and slows down the autofocus. If you really want that classic portrait look, the Sigma 85mm f/1.4 DG DN Art for Sony E is amazing, but it might push your budget and is honestly too tight for small indoor spaces.

This thread is gold. Bookmarking for future reference 🔖

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