Which lightweight prime lens is best for street photography while traveling?

Question

sorry if this is a dumb question but I just got a real camera and I am totally lost. I am going to Tokyo in three weeks and I want to take cool street photos like you see on instagram but the lens that came with my camera is kinda big and heavy to carry all day. someone told me I need a prime lens but I dont really know what that means exactly lol. I think it means it doesnt zoom?

My stuff:

budget is around 300 or 400 dollars max

needs to be super light because my neck hurts

I want those blurry backgrounds if possible

should I get a 35mm or a 50mm? I honestly cant tell the difference when looking at them online and I'm worried about buying the wrong one...

WispWillow · Accepted Answer

Regarding what #1 said about "A prime lens basically means it doesnt zoom,..." - they are spot on. it forces you to move your feet which actually helps you learn faster honestly. if you are nervous about getting the wrong lens, i usually suggest sticking to the main brands for better reliability since you are traveling soon and dont want gear issues. here are a few things to keep in mind:35mm is wider. it is great for busy places like shibuya where you want the buildings in the shot.50mm is tighter. it is easier to get that blurry background you want, but you might feel cramped in small alleys. depending on what camera you have, these are safe bets:Sony FE 50mm f/1.8 is very light and fits your budget.Nikon Z 40mm f/2 is a great tiny option for nikon.Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is small and cheap for canon users. i would lean towards a 35mm for tokyo tho... 50mm is sometimes a bit too tight for the streets.

Leander Thomas Rogers · Answer

A prime lens basically means it doesnt zoom, which makes it way lighter. Honestly go with a 35mm. I have been super satisfied using that in Tokyo because it captures the whole street vibe better. The Samyang AF 35mm f1.8 FE is super light and works well for those blurry backgrounds. Quick tip: 50mm is usually too zoomed in for narrow alleys so dont get that one. Youll be happy with a 35!