What are the best budget lenses for a Sony E-mount camera system?
I just picked up a used a6000 and I am so excited to finally start taking real photos but I am totally lost on the gear part. The kit lens it came with feels kinda flimsy and I want something better but I only have about $150 or maybe $200 left to spend after buying the body. I really want to take pictures of my cat and some cool street stuff around Seattle but all these numbers like f/2.8 and mm are just gibberish to me right now. Sorry if this is a really basic question I just dont know where to start looking without getting ripped off... help me out?
I've tried many budget setups over the years, and that kit lens was always the first thing I ditched. For cat photos, you want a low f-number like f/1.4 to get blurry backgrounds. Check out the site MPB for used gear.
- Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary is the gold standard.
- TTArtisan 35mm f/1.4 is dirt cheap if you want manual. Honestly, the Sigma was a total game changer for me.
^ This. Also, I remember hunting for old glass when I first got my a6000. I think I read somewhere that vintage lenses with a cheap adapter are a steal for street photography, though IIRC you lose autofocus. It was a fun way to learn.
- grab a cheap adapter
- hunt for old manual glass Buying used definitely saves a ton of money and you dont really need the fancy stuff yet.
