I am so incredibly overwhelmed right now and honestly ready to throw this camera out the window. My partner got me a Sony a6400 for my birthday last month because I wanted to get into photography, but it didn't come with a lens and I have absolutely no idea what to buy. I have been reading forums for three days straight and my brain is completely fried with all these numbers like f/2.8 and 35mm vs 50mm. I dont understand any of it and I feel so stupid.
I just want to take normal everyday pictures of my dog, my kids playing in the backyard, and maybe some street photos when we go on our trip to Seattle next month. My budget is super tight, I can really only spend about $350 max right now which I know isn't much for photography gear.
Every time I think I found one online, someone else says it is terrible for beginners or only good for portraits. I just need one simple lens that can do a bit of everything without breaking the bank. Which Sony lens should I actually buy first for just everyday stuff?
I started out with the Sony E 16-50mm f/3.5-5.6 OSS zoom lens because people said it was the best cheap starter option. Unfortunately, I had nothing but issues with it. The low light performance was not as good as expected, and my indoor photos of the kids always came out blurry and muddy. It felt like a waste of money tbh. I ended up selling it and buying a used Sigma 30mm f/1.4 DC DN Contemporary for Sony E. You can find them online for under $300 easily. Honestly, it saved my sanity. It does not zoom, which takes a second to get used to, but the photos of my dog running around are actually sharp now. It is basically the perfect budget all-rounder for street and family stuff.
