Which Sigma lens is best for Sony A7IV owners?

Question

I've been shooting Sony for like six years now so I'm not a total newbie but I just upgraded to the A7IV from my old A7III and I'm honestly feeling a bit stuck on the glass. I have this huge trip to Japan coming up in less than two weeks—literally leave in 11 days—and I need to finalize my kit but the Sigma lineup is giving me a headache. I'm trying to find that perfect balance between the Art level quality and not breaking my back while walking through Kyoto all day.

My logic was originally to just grab the 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art II because everyone raves about it but then I started looking at the 28-70mm Contemporary. It is so much lighter and way cheaper but I'm worried I'm gonna regret losing those 4mm on the wide end for the shrines and tight street shots. Then there's the 35mm f1.4 Art which I know is legendary but I feel like I'll be constantly wishing I could zoom in for some of the architectural details.

The real issue is I’ve heard some weird stuff about the older Sigma AF motors hunting a bit on the A7IV's newer autofocus system especially when doing eye-tracking for video. Since I'm planning on doing a lot of hybrid shooting this trip I really can't have the lens hunting while I'm filming. My budget is pretty firm at $1200 since the camera body already nuked my savings and I still need to buy train passes and stuff.

Should I just bite the bullet and get the 24-70 Art II even if it puts me over weight and slightly over budget or is there some other Sigma gem I'm totally missing for this specific body? I need to order this thing by tomorrow night if I want it to arrive before my flight...

NeonPulse · Accepted Answer

For a hybrid setup on the A7IV, the motor tech is the most critical spec to watch. You really want the HLA (High-response Linear Actuator) found in the Sigma 24-70mm f2.8 DG DN Art II because it handles the phase-detect tracking way better than older stepping motors during video capture.

Weight: 735g for the Art II vs 470g for the Contemporary

Wide end: 24mm gives an 84.1 degree field of view

Price: $1199 (hits your budget cap exactly) The Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary is lighter and saves you roughly $400, but you lose the weather sealing and those extra 4mm. In Kyoto, youll definitely want that 24mm for the shrines and temple interiors. If you can handle the extra 265g in your bag, the Art II is the more technically sound choice for the A7IV sensor. It basically matches the bodys capabilities better than the older glass.

OblivionKernel · Answer

^ This. Also, I am quite satisfied with the Sigma 16-28mm f2.8 DG DN Contemporary for travel safety.It fits your budget.It is light for walking. It works well.

XenoShader · Answer

> I'm trying to find that perfect balance between the Art level quality and not breaking my back while walking through Kyoto all day. I caught this late but honestly, the original Sigma 24-70mm F2.8 DG DN Art is still a massive contender if you want to stay under that $1200 limit. I lugged that thing around Shinjuku for a week on my A7IV and while my neck definitely felt it by day four, the files were just clinical. Technically, the older stepping motor in the Mark I isnt quite as snappy as the newer HLA tech everyone is talking about, but lets be real... its still very capable for travel. I did a fair bit of gimbal work with it and the eye-tracking stayed locked on people walking through the torii gates without much pulsing. The main trick is keeping your AF transition speed at a medium setting in the Sony menu; it helps smooth out the older motor movement. If you're really worried about that 4mm gap on the 28-70, dont ignore the Sigma 24mm F1.4 DG DN Art prime either. I know you mentioned wanting a zoom for the details, but the cropability on the A7IV sensor is decent enough that you can punch in and still get a usable 35mm frame in a pinch. Plus, that f1.4 is a lifesaver for those dark alleyways in Gion where the light is basically non-existent. Its way lighter than the Art zooms and fits comfortably in your budget if you need to buy extra SD cards or train passes too.