sorry if this is a super basic question but im totally lost. just got a Nikon z50 for my trip to Japan next month and I keep hearing that prime lenses are way better than the kit lens i have. my budget is around 300 bucks max since I already spent a lot on the camera body. i mostly wanna take nice photos of food and streets at night. there are so many options like 28mm 40mm 50mm and my head is spinning trying to figure out what any of these numbers actually mean. which one of these should i actually buy
Had a moment to think about this more and honestly you cant go wrong with either the Nikon Nikkor Z 28mm f/2.8 or the Nikon Nikkor Z 40mm f/2 for your z50. Since you are heading to Japan, the 28mm is super tiny and wide enough for cramped izakayas and neon streets at night, plus the crop factor on your camera makes it act more like a 42mm anyway which is super natural. But if you want to focus heavily on food closeups without getting your lens right in the ramen bowl, the 40mm gives you a bit more working distance and lovely background blur. Both fit your 300 dollar budget easily and leave you extra cash for snacks. Have an amazing trip!
Honestly, grab the Nikon NIKKOR Z 28mm f/2.8 for your trip. Do you prefer wider street shots or tighter food closeups?
Watch out for buying anything too cheap off sketchy sites before your trip. For street stuff and food in Japan, stick to a standard 40mm equivalent or something similar. Just make sure whatever you grab actually fits your mount without needing weird adapters. Trust me, struggling with gear overseas is the absolute worst thing that can happen.