I finally saved up enough for a Sony a6400 and I am so excited to actually start taking real photos instead of just using my phone all the time. The camera came with this little zoom lens but honestly it feels a bit basic and I keep seeing people talk about prime lenses and how they make the background all blurry and pretty. I think they call it bokeh? anyway i have no idea what number to look for. like is 35mm better or 50mm?
I want to take a lot of photos of my cat and also I'm going on a trip to Japan next month so I want something that looks professional but isnt too heavy to carry around all day. I have about 450 dollars left in my budget which I hope is enough because lenses are way more expensive than I thought they would be lol. Everything is just so confusing with all the different brands like Sigma and Sony and I dont know if I need to stick to the same brand as the camera.
Sorry if this is a super basic question i just dont want to buy the wrong thing and regret it since I'm a total beginner. Which prime lens is the best one to start with for a newbie?
Be careful with 50mm, it is often too narrow for Japan. I would suggest:
- Viltrox 23mm f1.4 AF Sony E It is a reliable, fast lens that fits your budget.
Found this and wanted to mention stabilization. Since the a6400 doesnt have internal stabilization, the Sony E 35mm f1.8 OSS is a logical choice. Between those two focal lengths, 35mm is way more versatile for Japan.
- Sharp enough for professional shots
- OSS helps keep photos clear in low light
- Very compact for travel Its a decent option that stays within your $450 budget and handles cat portraits well.
> Which prime lens is the best one to start with for a newbie? Unfortunately, i found the cheaper Sony primes pretty disappointing. I had issues with slow autofocus on the older models, and 50mm is just too narrow for Japan. Ngl, its not as good as expected for street stuff. Just grab the Sigma 30mm f1.4 DC DN Contemporary Sony E. Its way sharper and fits your budget... basically the only lens you need.
