Just bought my first Sony a7c ii and the kit lens is already feeling super limited, honestly I have no idea what I am doing here. I am planning a trip to Japan next month and I really dont want to be swapping lenses the whole time while walking around Tokyo. Im looking for one lens that can do pretty much everything, like portraits of my friends and maybe some street stuff at night. My budget is around 800 bucks, is there something that wont break the bank but still gives me those blurry backgrounds? Sorry if this is a total beginner question but what is the best all-around lens I should get?
Congrats on the new camera. The kit lens definitely holds you back once you start chasing that blurry background look. For your budget and Japan trip, you really want a fast prime or a versatile zoom, but for that specific look, go with a prime. I am super happy with my Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 Large Aperture Prime Lens because it is tiny, sharp, and perfect for street shots at night.
- It is wide enough for Tokyo streets
- The f/1.8 aperture gives you that nice bokeh for portraits
- Super lightweight for all-day walking If you really need to zoom, you might look at a used Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2, but honestly, sticking to a prime like the 35mm will force you to get creative and keep your setup light. No complaints here, just keep it simple.
Saw this earlier but just now getting to it. If you want a do-it-all zoom for Japan that handles low light and stays sharp, skip the kit glass. You need something with a constant aperture, basically.
- Tamron 28-75mm f/2.8 Di III VXD G2 This lens is legendary for the price. It hits that sweet spot for street shots and portraits. Honestly, for travel, the weight is perfect too. Youll be totally satisfied with the bokeh compared to that kit lens.
Just catching up on this thread now. Honestly, Japan is a beast for street photography, and honestly, carrying too much weight will kill your back after a few days of wandering Tokyo. I remember my first trip there years ago, I brought like three different lenses and barely used two of them because swapping glass in the middle of a crowd is such a hassle. If you want that blurry background look without constantly changing lenses, you might want to consider these things:
- Look for a focal length around 35mm or 50mm because they are super versatile for street shots.
- Be careful with lenses that are too heavy, you want something compact for the a7c ii.
- Make sure the aperture is at least f/1.8 if you really want that bokeh. I think primes are the way to go, but just be ready to walk closer to your subjects. It takes practice!