I just got the Sony A7IV and I am so hyped to finally move away from my old crop sensor setup. Ive been shooting portraits for years but switching to full-frame has me second guessing my glass. I was looking at the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art because obviously that bokeh is legendary but then I saw some people swearing by the 105mm macro for portraits because its so sharp. My logic was that the 85mm gives me that faster f1.4 for low light since I am shooting an outdoor garden wedding next month in Seattle. I have about 1100 bucks saved and I am just stuck between the compression of the 105 and the speed of the 85... which one actually wins on the A7IV?
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Just saw this and had to jump in because Seattle weddings are a whole different beast. I remember shooting a garden ceremony near Lake Union a few years back during a typical misty afternoon. I actually brought a macro lens thinking the sharpness would be cool for detail shots and portraits, but man, it was a huge mistake. The focus was hunting like crazy every time the bride moved even an inch. You really gotta be careful with that 105mm macro because even though it is surgical, that focus motor is designed for close-ups and it can really struggle when the clouds roll in and the light gets flat. Honestly the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art is basically the gold standard for what you're doing. It fits your budget perfectly too since it usually sits right around 1050 bucks. If you find 85mm feels a bit too tight in smaller garden paths tho, you might want to consider the Sigma 50mm f1.4 DG DN Art instead. I've had sessions where I was literally backed into a hedge trying to get a full body shot with an 85mm. The 50mm is a lot more forgiving if the venue layout is cramped. But for that legendary bokeh you mentioned... the 85mm is definitely the winner. Just make sure you practice with the eye-AF on your A7IV before the big day so you're ready for the pace of a live event.
Ive tried many portrait setups over the years and honestly, the Sigma 85mm f1.4 DG DN Art wins for weddings every time. That f1.4 is a total lifesaver for Seattles lighting. The 105 macro is crazy sharp but kinda slow for candids. In my experience, the 85mm compression is more than enough for your A7IV. Grab the 85 and dont look back.