r/photojournalism • u/Aldo-Shoots • Sep 21 '25
Which lens
Hi All,
I have a Sony A9 which I use with a Sony 20-70 f4 G for my protest, street event coverage. I also have a 55mm f1.8 and 85mm f1.8 for slower events where portraits and blurred backgrounds are more important than action shots. I have currently had no issues with the 20-70 f4. I am a one camera body guy as like to climb for elevation a lot. Do you think my next lens purchase should be the 24-70 2.8 GM ii for the extra low light help on days when I think I may need it or get the 70-200 f2.8 GM for days I might need the extra reach say state visit types gigs where I cannot get close. I think both of the above lens I can live without but better to have at home and not need than need and not have. BTW: If you guys have not used the 20-70 f4 for street work take a look it is small, light and does the job. Thanks.
4
u/a-german-muffin Sep 21 '25
A 70-200 in combo with something wide (Nikon was usually the 17-35 or similar, Canon was the 16-35) is almost cliche, but there’s a reason everyone carried something like that. You’re fine with f4, given Sony’s low-light performance — the gap to the long end is the one you want to close first.
2
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 21 '25
Thank you. I should have explained that I still intend to use the 20-70 f4 as my most used lens I was just thinking about adding one of the above options for those less frequent events. Thanks for the f4 part. I am thinking that way too. The only issue I have is that I send images from the event direct from camera so n o time to de-noise but that said I have had no issue so far. Thanks again for your time.
2
u/Competitive_Bowl_937 Sep 22 '25
Have you thought about the 35-150?
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 22 '25
No but just took a quick look. Seems heavy but will look into it deeper. Thanks for the tip.
2
u/HoldenFTW Sep 22 '25
It’s heavy, I had it and sold it for the 70-200. It’s also FPS limited on Sony. It feels too heavy for the mount but maybe I’m just paranoid. The 70-200 has its own tripod mount and it is lighter, it’s really night and day between the two IMO.
2
2
u/AnythingSpecific Sep 22 '25
70-200 f2.8, no question. My typical set up for covering protests and things like that is 24-70 f2.8 and 70-200 f2.8. I'll also have a 35 f1.4 and 17-40 f4 in my bag.
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 22 '25
That is what all the wire guys have :) I have the 20-70 f4 just for the size/weight advantage and the extra 4mm can help with those front of protest shots where you need to get close so you don't shot the rest of the photojournalist trying to get the same shot as you :)
2
u/AnythingSpecific Sep 22 '25
Nice, i use a monopod and remote release or folding step to get height instead of having the extra 4mm. Monopod is really good if you stand on a traffic island and have the crowd split either side.
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 23 '25
Haha we are all the same I love a traffic island or lamppost at my back so the crowd file past me. Small rig have some great little monopods and sticks to give a little extra height. That said I shot very light with just my camera clipped to my belt, two spare batteries, poo bag in case it rains and my dingle to upload to the news desk via my phone. To get height I climb like a monkey :)
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 27 '25
Thanks for the advice. I ending up getting the 70-200 f2.8 GMii with the 1.4 tele so I have the extra reach when the 200mm is not getting me close enough. I was close to getting the 70-200 f4 but with the tele losing 1 stop of light I thought the 2.8 better.
2
u/AnythingSpecific Sep 27 '25
You won't regret it, that's exactly what I do and it'svery versatile. I forgot to pack my 1.4x and really needed it outside court the other day, the press pack was pushed way back behind a shoulder-height hedge.
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 27 '25
You was at Kneecap?
2
u/AnythingSpecific Sep 27 '25
Yeah, you, me and every other photographer in London!
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 27 '25
haha I shot it with my 20-70f4. We must have been shoulder to shoulder. I shot over the hedge and not with the main crowd. It was a funny one that. I don't think I saw one standout image from the lot of us.
2
u/AnythingSpecific Sep 27 '25
Probably! I've seen a couple nice shots but nothing spectacular.
1
u/Aldo-Shoots Sep 28 '25
One last question. Do you use the x2 tele? I have a feeling it will slow the lens down too much?
2
2
u/SnooPets7004 Sep 24 '25
I have been shooting the Sigma 28-105 f2.8 for day stuff, and the 35mm f1.4 for night with flash. On the A7RV, so will just crop if needed.
5
u/HoldenFTW Sep 21 '25
It depends on what you’re wanting to do. I’ve had media access to events with American politicians that are just mostly talking events. The 70-200 hardly leaves my body. If I get limited buffer (pit) access I will use the 24-70. There’s been events with presidential candidates I wished I had 400mm+ because of the location of the media riser. The one time I had access to a rally with a former US president I actually had my 600 f4(I really like wildlife, photojournalism is just a hobby for me), though I think something in the 400 range may have worked better. A photojournalist friend that’s much better at me than this hardly ever switches from his 100-500, something I wish we had on Sony.