Im stressing out because my vacation to Japan is in three weeks and I still dont have a decent prime lens for my a6400. Im torn between the Sigma 30mm f1.4 and the Sony 35mm f1.8, I only have like 400 bucks to spend. Is the Sigma worth the extra weight or should I stick to the Sony?
Honestly, grab the Sigma 30mm F1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Japan. I used it on my a6400 last year and the sharpness is just insane compared to the Sony E 35mm f/1.8 OSS. The Sony has stabilization, but the Sigma's aperture is way better for low light in those moody temples. Just be careful with the extra weight, it feels a bit front-heavy but totally worth it for the shots.
Forget the 30mm for a sec, if you want something truly special for Japan, look at the Sigma 16mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary. Its wide enough for those tight Kyoto alleys and the f/1.4 aperture is just stellar for night photography! Check out these two alternatives instead:
- Sony E 20mm f/2.8 - super tiny pancake lens, fits in your pocket so you dont look like a tourist with a massive rig.
- Viltrox 23mm f/1.4 STM - honestly underrated. AF is snappy and the color rendition is surprisingly warm. If you really crave that creamy bokeh, the Sigma 16mm is a beast. The optical design is way sharper than the older Sony glass. You will definitely love the perspective it gives for cityscapes!
TL;DR: Check out the Tamron 20mm f/2.8 Di III OSD M1:2 if you want bang for your buck. In my experience, it handles street photography much better than the options you listed, and it's way cheaper. It's sharp, super lightweight, and leaves you extra cash for sushi in Tokyo. Honestly, save the money for the trip rather than overspending on glass. You'll thank me when you're grabbing extra yen for snacks.
Like someone mentioned, sticking to a budget is smart because traveling in Japan gets expensive fast. Honestly, I think the reliability of the native glass is the main thing you should look at for a trip where you cant afford a gear failure. IIRC, some of the third-party autofocus motors can be a bit hit or miss when you are tracking subjects in crowded Tokyo crossings. Not sure but I feel like people stress way too much about the sharpness charts and forget about the ergonomics. If you plan on walking ten miles a day, that extra weight really starts to matter by the third afternoon. I had a buddy who went with a heavier setup and he ended up leaving his camera in the hotel locker half the time. Personally, I prefer a more balanced weight distribution so the center of gravity stays near the mount. Just make sure whatever you choose, you spend a few days testing the focus consistency in low light before you board that flight.