My journey led me to prioritize lens weight for Tokyo. Ive been quite satisfied with these compact options:

• Sony FE 40mm f/2.5 G
• Samyang AF 35mm f/1.8 FE Both offer excellent optical performance.

> Someone told me I need a prime lens but I dont even know what that really means... I think it means it doesnt zoom? Exactly! You nailed it. Prime lenses stay at one view, which sounds like a pain but actually makes the glass way higher quality for the price. If you want that amazing blurry background (we call it bokeh), you need a lens with a wide aperture, which is just a fancy way of saying a low f-number like f/1.8 or f/1.4. The lower that number goes, the more blur you get!! Since you're heading to Tokyo and want those dreamy street shots, I'd seriously look at the Sony FE 85mm f/1.8. It is super light and the background blur is just fantastic for the price! It really makes people pop against the neon lights. If 85mm feels too zoomed in for tight streets, the Sigma 35mm f/2 DG DN Contemporary is another amazing option that fits your budget and feels super premium in the hand. You should check out a site called Photography Life or even just search the lens names on Flickr to see what other people are shooting. Seeing the actual look of the photos helped me understand apertures way faster than reading a manual did lol. Honestly, once you see the difference a fast prime makes compared to a kit lens, you'll never want to go back!! Have an incredible trip, Tokyo is basically a playground for photographers.

I was in your shoes not long ago and ended up getting the Sony FE 35mm f/1.8. Its been a very reliable lens for me and I am super satisfied with the results. The autofocus is fast and it feels safe to carry around since it is not too flashy. It works well for street shots and the blurry background looks great without spending too much. Definitely worth it for your trip.

Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.

Facts.