Honestly im so over this kit lens that came with my a7iii it is driving me insane. I spent all this money on a full frame body thinking my photos would look professional but everything I take indoors looks like grainy mush and the autofocus is just... wow its bad. I tried taking photos of my nephews birthday party last weekend here in Seattle and since it was typical gray weather and we were inside half the shots are blurry or the camera just hunted for focus forever and I missed the cake cutting entirely. My wife is annoyed because I told her this camera would be a game changer and right now my iPhone honestly looks better which is just embarrassing.
I need a prime lens that actually works and wont break the bank because Im already stretching my budget thin after buying the body. I'm looking for something under $350 or $400 max if it is really worth it. I just want that sharp look with the blurry background everyone talks about without having to sell a kidney for a G-Master lens.
Here is what I am looking for:
- has to be fast like f1.8 or better because my house is dark
- autofocus needs to be snappy I cant deal with more missed moments
- something around 35mm or 50mm for everyday stuff
- small enough to actually carry around without it feeling like a brick
- budget is firm at $400 absolute max
Ive been looking at the basic Sony 50mm 1.8 but I heard its noisy and slow and then there are the Samyang and Tamron ones but I’m worried about the quality control? I dont know I just need something that isnt going to let me down again because Im about five minutes away from just selling the whole kit and going back to my old point and shoot. Does anyone actually have a budget prime they swear by for Sony? I feel like Im drowning in reviews and none of them agree...
Saw this earlier and wanted to jump in because your experience with the kit lens is pretty common. Avoid the Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 at all costs. While the price is tempting, the autofocus motor is an old DC design that is loud and struggles immensely in dim lighting. It definitely wont solve your autofocus hunting issues. For your budget, the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE is likely your best bet. It uses a linear motor which is silent and much snappier than the budget Sony primes. Technically, 35mm is more versatile for indoor family shots because you wont have to back into walls to frame your subjects. If you prefer the 50mm perspective, the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE is another decent option that stays under $400. Both are lightweight and sharp, tho third-party quality control can sometimes be a roll of the dice.
Re: "Just wanted to say thanks for everyone chiming..."
- Ive been shooting with Sony gear for nearly a decade and Piony is absolutely right about avoiding that Sony FE 50mm f/1.8. It is a legacy design that just cannot keep up with the AF system in the a7iii. In my experience, the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8 is the best balance of size and performance for what you are describing. It is usually right around $400 and the autofocus is incredibly snappy. It basically transformed my kit when I first picked it up. If that is a bit too pricey, I have had great results with the Samyang AF 45mm f/1.8 FE too. It is a bit of an odd focal length but it is fantastic for everyday shots and the low light performance is solid. I have tried many budget lenses over the years and this one punches way above its weight class. Just dont be afraid to swap to a prime lens... it really is the only way to get away from that grainy mush indoors. The kit lens just lets in way too little light for a gray day in Seattle.
Just wanted to say thanks for everyone chiming in. Super helpful discussion.
> I need a prime lens that actually works and wont break the bank @Reply #1 - good point on the 50mm, but I would suggest being a bit more cautious about going third-party if you are already this frustrated. While the Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE is technically decent, their quality control is still a bit spotty compared to native glass. If you want 100 percent reliability for those cake-cutting moments, you really should look for a used Sony FE 35mm f/1.8. It uses a dual linear motor system. That is basically technical speak for it moves the focus group almost instantly and silently. I have seen them go for $380 used on several forums lately and it is worth every penny over the budget stuff. If you absolutely must buy new and stay under budget, the Sony FE 28mm f/2 is another solid option. It is not quite as sharp as the 35mm but the autofocus tracking is very dependable in low light. Just make sure to update your camera firmware too, as it can help with the low-light hunting. Let me know if you need help figuring out how to check the shutter count or sensor before you buy anything used.
