Ive been shooting with my a6400 for a few years now and honestly, the kit lens just isnt cutting it anymore especially since I started doing more street photography in downtown Chicago lately. I know my way around aperture and shutter speed pretty well, but lately my low light shots just look kinda muddy and soft, even when I bump the ISO. Im looking for something sharp that wont break the bank because I really dont want to drop a grand on glass right now. Ideally I want to stay under 400 bucks. I was looking at the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 because everyone raves about it, but then I saw some stuff about the Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS and now Im just confused. Is the stabilization on the Sony worth losing that extra bit of light compared to the Sigma? Or is there some other hidden gem I should be looking at? I have a trip coming up in about three weeks so I need to pull the trigger on something soon... What are you guys using for budget primes these days?
Honestly, grab the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary lens. That extra stop of light beats the OSS any day for street stuff. Super sharp and works well for me.
Regarding what #1 said about the Sigma 30mm f/1.4, I actually have to disagree just a bit. While the extra aperture is nice, I have been very satisfied using the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS for years. Street photography in Chicago often means shooting at night or in moving crowds, and that built-in stabilization is a lifesaver for handheld shots.
- The OSS lets me keep my shutter speed a bit lower without getting blurry results.
- It is super lightweight so I dont get tired after walking around for hours.
- The autofocus is snappy and perfectly synced with Sony bodies. Basically, dont count the stabilization out just because the aperture is slightly smaller. You might find it more reliable for sharp results if your hands arent rock steady, especially in low light. For me, it has been a total workhorse.
Quick reply while I have a sec. Ngl, I am dealing with the exact same issue on my a6400. That kit lens really struggles once the sun goes down, and my street shots have been looking pretty rough lately too. It is honestly frustrating when you know your settings are dialed in but the glass just holds you back. Since you want something different, have you looked into the Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 STM AF? It gives you a wider field of view which is great for tighter city streets, and the autofocus has been updated enough to be pretty reliable now. Another solid alternative if you want something super compact is the Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE. It is not as fast as the 1.4 options, but it is tiny and surprisingly sharp for the price point. Definitely helps with carrying the camera around all day without getting tired.
Late to the party but those two are basically the standard debate for a reason. Over the years, I've tried many different setups for city nights, and honestly, the gear matters way less than just getting comfy with your settings. I remember lugging around a heavy prime when I first started, thinking it would fix my muddy shots, but it was just my technique failing me in the dark.
- Practice your steady hand, as even stabilization can't save a shot if you're shaking too much.
- Don't sweat the specs too hard because the best lens is the one you actually bring with you.
- Consider how much weight you want around your neck while walking around downtown for hours. My current setup is pretty minimal now. You learn to work with the light you have instead of chasing the perfect glass.
