Basically if you are doing street stuff in low light with an a6400, that kit lens is definitely gonna hold you back. Ngl the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS is probably the safest bet out of those since it has optical stabilization built in. Since the a6400 doesnt have IBIS, having stabilization in the lens helps a lot when the sun goes down and your shutter speeds drop. The AF is also silent and super snappy compared to the TTArtisan 27mm f/2.8 AF which can hunt a bit in dark spots or when things are moving fast. You should also check out the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. Its usually around $260-290 new or even less used. That f1.4 aperture is a massive jump over the f2.8 on the Samyang... like its literally four times as much light hitting the sensor. The Samyang is tiny yeah, but f2.8 on APS-C isnt really that fast for night street work tbh. I tried the Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE and it felt a bit flimsy compared to the Sigma. If you want that classic street look, the 30mm or 35mm focal lengths are great, but the extra stop of light on the Sigma or the OSS on the Sony is worth the extra weight over a pancake lens. The Sony is the way to go if you want the smallest footprint with stabilization tho.

Just saw this. I used the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary for a night trip and that extra stop of light is huge. Be careful with the TTArtisan 27mm f2.8 AF tho, you might notice some heavy vignetting and edge softness.

• Sigma: Elite sharpness, f1.4 is king for nights.
• TTArtisan: Stealthy pancake, but slower AF motor. Make sure to check used prices, you can find a Sigma for under $300 easily.

Honestly if you want that classic 35mm equivalent field of view on your a6400, you gotta look at the Viltrox 23mm f1.4 AF E-mount. I've spent a lot of time testing these third-party primes over the years and this one punches way above its weight. It gives you a wider perspective than a 35mm, which is basically essential in NYC when the sidewalks get packed. Few other things to consider that wont break the bank:

• Viltrox 33mm f1.4 AF E-mount: Usually goes for about $260. The autofocus is surprisingly snappy on the a6400 and it has a physical aperture ring.
• Samyang AF 45mm f1.8 FE: Little bit tighter for street stuff but it is incredibly light. Almost feels like a toy but the glass is legit.
• TTArtisan 35mm f1.8 AF: Not to be confused with their 27mm pancake, this one is much sharper wide open. Personally id grab that 23mm f1.4. Having that extra stop of light over an f2.8 lens is massive for night shots in Times Square or whatever. Plus the metal build feels way more solid than those plastic pancakes... just make sure you update the firmware via the USB port on the lens mount if you get one.

Yep, this is the way

Building on the earlier suggestion, those third-party options are amazing these days! Honestly, gear snobbery used to be my thing—I only bought native glass because I was terrified of a lens failing on me during a big trip. But man, the build quality on some of these newer metal-body primes is just fantastic for the price. Taking a chance on a budget lens for a rainy trip once was the best move because it handled the grit like a total champ. If youre hitting NYC, you definitely want something that can take a bit of a beating! Reliability is everything when youre miles from home. Maybe even look into some older, wider pancake primes for that extra-low profile. Theyre tiny and super reliable for street work. You dont always have to pay the brand tax to get something that lasts!