22/02/2026 8:25 am
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I just picked up the Sony a7IV and I'm looking to dive deeper into street photography. Right now, I'm using a bulky zoom, but I want to switch to a prime lens to keep my setup more compact and discreet while walking around the city.
I'm torn between sticking with a classic 35mm or going for a 50mm for a tighter look. Fast autofocus is a must for me since I like capturing candid moments. I've been looking at the Sony 35mm f1.8 and the Zeiss 55mm f1.8, but I'm open to third-party options like Sigma too.
Does anyone have a favorite prime lens that balances size and image quality perfectly on the a7IV?
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22/02/2026 8:26 am
yo, i feel u! when i first got my a7iv i was lugging around a huge zoom and honestly felt so conspicuous... like everyone knew i was taking their pic lol. i switched to a prime and it changed everything. for street, fast AF is literally everything cuz moments go by sooo fast. since ur a7iv has that killer tracking, you need a lens with linear motors to keep up. here is what i recommend:
- Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 - it weighs only 280g and the AF is near-instant
- Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary - amazing build quality and has an aperture ring
- Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G - if u want it super tiny, this one is lowkey perfect i mean, the 35mm is safer for street since it is wider, but that Sony Zeiss Sonnar T* FE 55mm f/1.8 ZA still has amazing rendering... anyway, go with the 35mm f1.8 if speed is top priority. gl!
3
22/02/2026 9:50 am
Been using this for years, no complaints
3
22/02/2026 10:00 am
Facts.
1
24/02/2026 8:10 pm
Big if true
1
03/03/2026 2:11 am
Jumping in here for a sec. Honestly, choosing glass for street work is a pretty big decision and you might want to be careful before you commit. Tbh, there is way better info available if you just look in the right spots...
- Just search YouTube for Sony versus Sigma prime comparisons on the a7IV. Youll find videos showing the AF speed side by side which is huge for what you want.
- Check out the Sony subreddits. Search for street setups there to find threads with actual photo samples from different brands so you can see the rendering.
- Look at manufacturer websites for the dimensions and weight info to see whats actually compact. I saw a really thorough video comparison a few months back that covered all the third party stuff too, so just searching for it is probably your best move. Just gotta do the legwork... it helps to see the glass in action first before you spend the money.
