Saw this earlier but just now getting a chance to reply. Remembering being in that exact spot when I first moved to the Sony system brings back some anxiety. Blowing my whole budget on the body was a classic mistake. Honestly, you can find some gems if you look at the technical trade-offs. Here are two options that punch way above their weight class:

• Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is basically the cheapest way into full frame. Its got a DC motor which makes it a bit noisy and slow compared to the high-end stuff, but the sharpness is decent enough for professional prints.
• Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE is a pancake lens that worked perfectly for a three-week trip through Europe last year. Its tiny, weighs almost nothing, and handles chromatic aberration surprisingly well for a budget prime. If you dont mind buying used, you can usually snag these for well under $250. Focusing on center sharpness is usually the move since you probably wont be pixel peeping the corners on your first trip anyway.

We have all been there where the camera body eats the entire budget. In my experience over the years, you dont need to spend four figures to get professional results. I have tried many budget options and found that sticking to prime lenses gives you the best image quality for under $300.

• Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is the standard choice. It is lightweight and handles low light well.
• Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE offers an extremely compact form factor which is perfect for travel.
• Tamron 24mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 provides excellent sharpness and 1:2 macro capabilities for close-up shots. I have used that 50mm on multiple trips and it performs. If you are really tight on cash, maybe look for a used Sony FE 28-70mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS kit lens. It is versatile and usually costs under $200 used. Just grab one and start shooting... you'll be fine.

Check RTINGS for MTF lab data. I'd suggest these:

• Sony FE 50mm f/1.8
• Samyang AF 35mm f/2.8 FE Caution: make sure to update firmware for better AF reliability.

Any updates on this?

Adding my two cents here since I remember that initial panic when I first switched to Sony. When I was starting out, I grabbed the Viltrox 85mm f/1.8 II FE because I wanted that creamy background blur without the G Master price tag, and honestly, the autofocus performance is surprisingly snappy for third-party glass. It changed how I saw budget gear.

• The Sigma 45mm f/2.8 DG DN Contemporary is another solid pick. It feels much more premium than the plastic nifty-fifty options and the build quality is actually metal. My biggest tip is to look for used gear on forums or shops. You can find way better glass if you just look for someone offloading their stuff. Dont get caught up in the brand name tax, just focus on the focal length you actually like shooting.