Does anyone know if there are usually good Black Friday deals for Sony E-mount lenses? I just got my very first real camera which is the a6400 and I am honestly so overwhelmed by everything. I've been trying to watch videos but there are so many options and I dont really understand the lingo yet like what a prime lens even is or why some cost $2000 and others are $200. I really want that look where the person is sharp but the background is all soft and blurry for when I take photos of my golden retriever this Christmas. My budget is pretty tight though maybe around $350 max and I live near a Best Buy in Chicago but I dont know if I should wait for the actual day or if sales start early. Is it better to buy from Amazon or like a dedicated camera store online?
I have a few things I'm looking for but I'm not sure if they even go on sale:
- a lens that makes backgrounds look soft
- something good for low light indoors
- maybe something small for traveling
Sorry if this is a really basic thing to ask I just dont want to waste my money on the wrong thing since I saved up for a while just to get the camera body. I heard Sony lenses are expensive so I'm hoping Black Friday makes them more affordable for a beginner like me... do they usually have big discounts or is it just like ten bucks off?
Just caught your post today. For that blurry background look, you want a lens with a wide aperture, which is that f-number. Lower numbers like f/1.4 or f/1.8 mean more blur and better low light performance. Prime lenses don't zoom, but they give you much better image quality for the price than a cheap zoom would. Black Friday sales are usually decent, typically $50 to $100 off the entry-level glass. Here are two solid options for your budget:
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Sony E is incredibly sharp and that f/1.4 aperture is king for low light. It is small enough for travel too.
- Sony E 50mm f/1.8 OSS is a classic for portraits. The 50mm length makes backgrounds look really soft, plus it has stabilization built-in which helps with video. Amazon and dedicated camera shops usually have the same prices during Black Friday so just go with whoever has it in stock. Don't worry about the lingo too much, you will learn as you go. That a6400 is a great start for dog photos.
I saved money switching to third-party glass. The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary Sony E hits technical specs perfectly...
- Check Best Buy open-box
- Watch Adorama Youll find a deal.
To add to the point above: honestly, if youre looking for that Christmas dog photo vibe, you definitely want a wide aperture. I've been shooting with the a6000 series for years and the best deals aren't always just the big names. Black Friday usually sees deep cuts on the third-party stuff like Viltrox or Samyang. In my experience, check out the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 AF Sony E. Its built like a tank and the f/1.4 aperture is gonna give you that super soft background you're after. It usually hovers under $300 anyway, so BF might make it a total steal for your budget. Then theres the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS. It's usually more expensive but has OSS (stabilization) which helps a ton if your hands are a bit shaky indoors. Its tiny too, basically perfect for travel since it fits in a jacket pocket. TL;DR: Viltrox is better value for that blurry background look, while the Sony 35mm is better for handheld shots and portability. Keep an eye on B&H Photo or Focus Camera online too, they often beat Amazon's prices by a few bucks during the holidays and usually start their 'early' deals a week before the actual Friday.
Bump - same question here
