You definitely didnt make a mistake buying that camera. In my experience, the best budget approach for the S5II is focusing on L-mount primes. I would suggest the Panasonic Lumix S 50mm f/1.8 as your first purchase. Over the years ive tried many lenses and this one delivers great results for a fraction of the cost... it fits your budget and is perfect for kids.

Since you mentioned being totally lost with mounts, the first thing you need to remember is to search specifically for L-mount lenses. Basically, Panasonic, Sigma, and Leica all use the same mount design, so they are interchangeable. For YouTube and filming kids, you should probably be careful with fixed focal lengths like a 50mm if you only have one lens. It can feel really restrictive indoors when you cant fit everything in the frame. I would suggest looking into the Panasonic Lumix S 20-60mm f/3.5-5.6 as your first move. Tbh, it is surprisingly good for a kit lens and you can find them used in London for way under your budget, probably around 200 to 250 quid. It starts at 20mm which is nice and wide for vlogging or showing the whole room, then zooms in enough for portraits. If you want something better in low light, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is a fantastic alternative that fits your 500 pound limit if you shop around. It has very fast autofocus which is vital for keeping track of children running around. Just a warning though, make sure you dont accidentally buy the Sony E-mount version of Sigma lenses. They look identical in photos online but wont fit your S5II at all. Stick to native L-mount glass and you wont have any issues with the video features. You definitely didnt make a mistake with the camera, it is a beast for video, you just need to be smart about the glass you pick up first...

Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷

> I realize lenses are super expensive and I dont have much money left. Ugh, i feel you so much on this. It is honestly exhausting how much this hobby costs now and i still get annoyed every time i have to buy new glass. I have been shooting for over a decade and the L-mount tax still makes me want to scream... it is like these companies dont realize most people have, like, actual bills to pay. The technical reason it is so pricey is basically the 20mm flange focal distance and the communication speed between the lens and that S5II sensor. To get those fast autofocus speeds for kids, you need lenses with specific stepping motors or linear actuators. If you can find a used Sigma 28-70mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary L-Mount, that is usually the best bet for a budget zoom. It gives you a constant f/2.8 aperture which is huge because it stays bright even when you zoom in, which most cheap lenses wont do. Another one to look at is the Panasonic Lumix S 35mm f/1.8. It is wide enough for YouTube but tight enough for portraits of the kids. I have tried many lenses and the way this one handles focus breathing is top-tier for video. But yeah, spending 400 or 500 pounds and still feeling like you only have entry level gear is such a frustration... you are definitely not alone in feeling totally lost with the prices.

Bump - same question here