First mirrorless camera...lens recommendation

I'm looking to purchase my first mirrorless camera and probably going to go with the Sony a6300. My biggest question is whether it makes sense to get it with the kit lens or save the extra money and buy a better everyday lens for the camera.

I've just recently gotten into photography so I'm looking for a walking around (street) lens that would also be good for portraits. I also have a 2.5 yr old daughter that I would want to be able to take pictures of pretty regularly. Any input would be appreciated!

Congrats on your first mirrorless. If it's your first ever, the kit lens is a fine place to start. Shoot that for awhile and you can see which focal lengths you favor (16-50mm is a nice enough range). I am fond of the 20mm f/2.8 because it makes the camera pocketable and is a convenient focal length indoors... also the 16-70 Zony is an amazing lens, but it's expensive, I bought mine used for ~$600 and it has been incredibly worth it.

You many find that, for what little savings there is in not getting the 16-50 kit lens with your camera purchase, you may rather just get it. And that's coming from someone who got BOTH the 16-50 and 55-210 as kit lenses, and I can't remember the last time I used either. But, they were very necessary stepping stones for me, and combined, were only $300 of the initial a6000 purchase.

Now, just about all my shooting is with an 18-105 (80%), 10-18 (18%), and 35/1.8 (2%). Those 3 lenses cost about $1800 total, so 2 kit lenses for $300 was hardly a costly mistake. So, consider getting the kit lens, and call it an educational cost. Then later, make your next (larger) lens purchase with that education.

A prime (fixed focal length) lens will give you better image quality and better speed, which comes in very handy when shooting a moving toddler, especially indoors.

Depending on your budget, the 24/1.8, Sony 28/2 FE, Touit 32/1.8, or Sony 35/1.8 could all be good options. The 50/1.8 of 55/1.8 FE are really great for portraits, though a little less flexible as you've got to be maybe eight feet back (but still quite useable indoors).

I'd strongly suggest that you get at least one of the above lenses to go with whatever zoom you might choose.

MrT-Man said:

A prime (fixed focal length) lens will give you better image quality and better speed, which comes in very handy when shooting a moving toddler, especially indoors.

Depending on your budget, the 24/1.8, Sony 28/2 FE, Touit 32/1.8, or Sony 35/1.8 could all be good options. The 50/1.8 of 55/1.8 FE are really great for portraits, though a little less flexible as you've got to be maybe eight feet back (but still quite useable indoors).

I'd strongly suggest that you get at least one of the above lenses to go with whatever zoom you might choose.

Click to expand...

Or the Sigma 30mm f2.8, not?

I agree, would get the kitlens, too. It's cheap, small and versatile.

I would highly recommend the Sony 35mm f/1.8 OSS.

Hard to say, the kit lens is OK but you really need a good fast prime to take advantage of the camera. I would point you toward the 35mm 1.8 for a good indoor lens at a reasonable price.

If budget is a concern the 16-50 is workable and can produce nice shots within it's limitations and is handy in size and range.

I chose the 50mm for a prime myself because I do not do much indoor and prefer the longer FL

I'd get it with the 16-50 kit lens since it only costs $150 in the kit and is well worth it. It's small size has been convenient for me at times, even though I have better lenses. With the kit lens you can use the camera while you learn it and learn what other lenses you might want.

Now my most used lens is the 16-70 f/4 ZA (purchased used) and recently I'm spending much time with the new FE 70-300G OSS lens.

Primes are good, and I have two of the best (24 f/1.8 ZA & 50 f/1.8 OSS) -- and seldom use either. Zoom lenses provide more flexibility.

I would also suggest getting the kit lens and playing with it for a while.

It gives you a decent range of focal lengths to play with before investing in prime lenses. Only you can know if you like 21mm, 35mm, or 50mm more (for example) and being able to compare before spending money is simply great.

I seldom use mine anymore but, I am still glad that I spent the extra when I bought my a6000.

Prime lenses are awesome but, prime lenses that don't fit your style can be wasted time and money.