Buying advice

Which lens for portraits, documentary and everyday shooting

Three primes – 35, 50 and 85 mm – cover most situations. Which one to pick for your style, which bodies they pair with and what to check when buying a used body.

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When you're deciding what to pack for everyday shooting, you often focus on the body. But it's the lens that defines the character of the image. Three primes – 35, 50 and 85 mm – cover most situations:

35 mm captures context and suits documentary work
50 mm is the versatile all-rounder
85 mm separates your subject from the background

At hafoto.cz I currently have the Sony 35 mm f/1.4 GM, Sony 50 mm f/1.4 GM and Sony 85 mm f/1.4 GM in stock. They pair best with Sony bodies – the A7 IV and the older A7 III are the natural combination. With an adapter, Sony glass can also be mounted on Nikon Z; on Canon RF it isn't possible because of the longer flange distance.

How to choose a body on the used market

When buying a body from a listing, pay attention to the battery condition and the shutter count. On older models, watch for shutter wear – but the shutter is a consumable part anyway. Checking the sensor and the seals matters more; never buy a body with a damaged sensor, because the repair is expensive.

With Canon RF and Nikon Z, check that autofocus works properly, because on older firmware it can struggle with eye detection. The Sony A7 IV is a great all-rounder; for video there's the A7S III and for high resolution the A7R V, but I don't have those on offer at the moment. If you want peace of mind, choose a body from my stock that has already been checked.

Pairing a lens with your body

Once you have a body, choose a lens to match your style:

Street and documentary: 35 mm is ideal because it makes you work with space. The Sony 35 mm f/1.4 GM is an excellent fast option, lighter and sharper than many alternatives.
Portraits: 85 mm is the gold standard that compresses the background. The Sony 85 mm f/1.4 GM is optically outstanding.
General use: 50 mm is the best choice. The Sony 50 mm f/1.4 GM is sharp and compact.

If you don't have an ideal body like the Sony A7 IV, pair the lens you can get with a cheaper body. And don't forget that light and composition matter more than the price of your gear.

Tell me what you shoot most often – I'll tell you which focal length to start with.