Hey everyone! I recently joined the Sony family after picking up a used a6000 to start taking my photography a bit more seriously. While I’m absolutely loving the compact size and the autofocus speed, I’m quickly realizing that the 16-50mm kit lens it came with is leaving me a bit frustrated, especially when the sun starts to go down or when I'm trying to get that creamy background blur for portraits.

I’ve been doing a ton of research, but the E-mount market is honestly a bit overwhelming. There are so many options that it’s hard to tell what’s actually a "steal" and what’s just cheap for a reason. My main focus is on street photography and some casual travel shots, so I’m looking for something sharp but also portable enough to keep the setup lightweight.

I’ve seen the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 mentioned everywhere as a must-have, and it seems to fit my budget (ideally under $350), but I’m also seeing these ultra-affordable manual lenses from brands like TTArtisan and 7Artisans. Are those worth the hassle for a beginner, or should I definitely stick with something that has autofocus? I’m also really curious about the Sony 35mm f/1.8 because of the optical steady shot (OSS), which might help since my a6000 doesn’t have in-body stabilization, but I'm not sure if the price jump is worth it over the Sigmas.

I’m trying to keep my next purchase relatively low-cost. I don’t mind buying used gear at all—in fact, I’d prefer it if it means I can get higher-quality glass for a better price. I’m just feeling a bit stuck on whether I should go for a versatile prime or if there’s a hidden gem zoom lens out there that doesn't cost a fortune but still beats the kit lens in sharpness.

For those of you who have been shooting with the a6000 series for a while, what were the first lenses you bought that really changed the game for you? If you had to pick just one budget-friendly lens to replace the kit lens, which one would it be and why?