So I just grabbed a used Sony A7C because I am heading to Tokyo in three weeks for a vacation and I desperately need to figure out my first lens before I go. I want something for everyday stuff, mostly street photography, walking around, taking photos of food, and maybe some quick shots of my wife. My budget is pretty tight, trying to keep it under 650 dollars if possible.
I have been doing tons of research online and I am stuck between two options. Everyone seems to recommend the Sony 35mm f1.8 for a lightweight everyday lens, but then other people swear by the Sigma 28-70mm f2.8 zoom for travel. The thing is, I am worried the prime lens will feel too limiting when I am trying to capture temples or wide street scenes, but the zoom is right at the limit of my budget and looks kinda bulky for all-day walking. Plus, is f2.8 going to be fast enough for Tokyo at night, or do I really need that f1.8?
I need to order something by this weekend so I have time to practice with it. Which one of these should I actually get for my first everyday lens, or is there a better option I missed?
I was in your exact shoes last year before my trip to Kyoto, totally stressing over the same dilemma. I ended up grabbing a compact prime lens because I wanted to keep my setup as light as possible, and honestly, I'm so satisfied with how that turned out. Carrying a heavy setup all day gets old fast when you're hitting 25k steps. Here is what I learned from using just that one little lens for the whole trip:
- The low light performance was a lifesaver. Those narrow Tokyo alleys get dark quick, and having that extra speed let me shoot comfortably without my photos looking like grainy mud.
- Walking around with a small camera that fits in a tiny sling bag is incredibly freeing. I never felt like a target or like I was lugging around heavy gear.
- You quickly adapt to the fixed view. If I wanted a wider shot of a temple, I just took a few steps back or did a quick panorama. I have zero complaints about going the prime route. It works so well for capturing the vibe of a busy city at night. You get used to the single focal length in like a day, and the weight savings alone make it worth it.
