After posting here earlier asking for advice on an upgrade from my kit lens for my Sony a6000, I ordered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 from Amazon. Package came today, and they instead shipped me the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. Honestly, first I heard of the lens and unsure of what do here. Do I can contact them and get the right one? Just keep this? I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten the wrong Amazon item shipped before.

I’m totally a beginning, but enjoy shooting photos around my city, hiking/landscapes, travel shots, my dog, and want this to eventually work for some baby/kid photos.

Here’s how I see the tradeoff from briefly looking:

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 — what I originally wanted. Better in low light, more background blur/bokeh, sharper for portraits. Less versatile since it's a prime.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 — what I actually got. More flexible zoom range, still a solid f/2.8 aperture, and apparently the more expensive of the two. Better for travel and varied shooting situations.

beginner, but IIs the 18-50mm f/2.8 actually the better fit for how I shoot, or should I stick to my original plan and get the 30mm? Would love to hear from people who've used either (or both) on an a6000? Also how to handle a wrong package from Amazon in general?

Edit: took the advice and called them. They let me keep the 18-50mm and are shipping me a replacement 30mm. Thanks team!

After posting here earlier asking for advice on an upgrade from my kit lens for my Sony a6000, I ordered the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 from Amazon. Package came today, and they instead shipped me the Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8. Honestly, first I heard of the lens and unsure of what do here. Do I can contact them and get the right one? Just keep this? I don’t know if I’ve ever gotten the wrong Amazon item shipped before.

I’m totally a beginner, but I enjoy shooting photos around my city, hiking/landscapes, travel shots, my dog, and want this to eventually work for some baby/kid photos.

Here’s how I see the tradeoff from briefly looking:

The Sigma 30mm f/1.4 — what I originally wanted. Better in low light, more background blur/bokeh, sharper for portraits. Less versatile since it's a prime.

Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 — what I actually got. More flexible zoom range, still a solid f/2.8 aperture, and apparently the more expensive of the two. Better for travel and varied shooting situations.

Is the 18-50mm f/2.8 actually the better fit for how I shoot, or should I stick to my original plan and get the 30mm? Would love to hear from people who've used either (or both) on an a6000? Also how to handle a wrong package from Amazon in general?

Edit: took the advice and called them. They let me keep the 18-50mm and are shipping me a replacement 30mm. Thanks team!

• Budget: Up to $500-600 USD
• Country: USA
• Condition: Any
• Type of Camera: Sony a6000
• Intended use: everyday shots, travel photography, street shots, pets and kids
• If photography; what style: N/A
• If video what style: N/A
• What features do you absolutely need:
• Portability: important
• Cameras you're considering: new lens for Sony a6000
• Cameras you already have: Sony a6000
• Notes: Camera nerds of Reddit, I come to you humbly asking for help!

A few days ago I posted asking for opinions on whether to upgrade my Sony a6000 with new lenses or buy a Ricoh GR VI. Everyone was loud and clear: stick with the a6000. Message received!

Now I could really use your help on the next step: what 1-2 lenses should I actually get? Ideally I'd love to keep the total under $500–600. I keep seeing the Sigma 30mm f/1.4 recommended as the go-to next lens for the a6000, and it's already on my radar, but I'd love to hear what you all think before I pull the trigger. Anything else worth pairing it with in that budget?

Ideally will be shooting around my new city, taking photos of dogs and possible kids. I'll include the text from the first post just for context:

Torn on what camera to get – Sony a6000, Ricoh GRIIIx, or something else?

I've been in and out of photography ever since I was a teenager. I love to take photos, and I’m trying to get better about editing them, but that’s another story for another day.

In a couple months I'm making a major move, which includes downsizing considerably and leaving some of my bulkier hobbies behind. I've been thinking for a while about getting into photography more seriously, and this feels like the perfect opportunity. I’m a bit torn on cameras and could use help from beyond the Instagram algorithm.

My current setup:

I currently have a Sony a6000 with the two kit lenses, which I've owned for about 8 years. The 16-50mm kit lens is fine, but I'm not thrilled with the image clarity. I really like how sharp the 55-210mm telephoto is, but it's just too bulky most of the time. My two batteries are showing their age and neither lasts very long. I did just pick up a Retropia Oreo lens, which has been fun to play with, but that’s mostly a toy. The camera is general is still pretty big and while the photos beat my phone, I feel like I could be getting more if I’m using an actual camera.

What I like to shoot:

I mainly like to shoot city shots around town, landscapes while hiking, travel photography, and photos of my dog at home. Would love to be able to take some going out photos as well, instead of my on my phone. I’d also like to eventually be able to take baby and little kid photos on it too.

My dilemma:

Here’s my dilemma, and why I come to the camera council for help. I’m debating three options here:

Option 1 – upgrade the a6000. Buy new batteries and a new lens, maybe something like the Sigma 30mm f1.4 prime lens? Since I already own this, it’s the cheapest path forward. Downside is it’s already an old camera and it’s not getting any younger.

Option 2 – go compact with a Ricoh GR IIIx or GR IV. I love the idea of a pocketable camera I can carry everywhere in a new city. The photos look crisp and stunning. I know the IIIx is already pretty old, but it seems to rate higher than the newer IV? Admittedly my Instagram has been funneling this to me lately, which makes me think it’s overhyped.

Option 3 — Both. Since I already own the a6000, it's not too costly to upgrade it for dedicated shoots while using the Ricoh as an everyday carry.

I'm moving out of the U.S. soon and don't expect to find any of this at a reasonable price once I'm gone, so I'm looking to make this investment before I leave. What do you think?

• Budget: Up to $1500 USD
• Country: USA
• Condition: Any
• Type of Camera: Either a6000 or something portable
• Intended use: everyday shots, travel photography
• If photography; what style: N/A
• If video what style: N/A
• What features do you absolutely need:
• Portability: important
• Cameras you're considering: new lens for Sony a6000, Ricoh GRIIIx, Ricoh VI
• Cameras you already have: Sony a6000
• Notes: Camera nerds of Reddit, I come to you humbly asking for help!

I've been in and out of photography ever since I was a teenager. I love to take photos, and I’m trying to get better about editing them, but that’s another story for another day.

In a couple months I'm making a major move, which includes downsizing considerably and leaving some of my bulkier hobbies behind. I've been thinking for a while about getting into photography more seriously, and this feels like the perfect opportunity. I’m a bit torn on cameras and could use help from beyond the Instagram algorithm.

My current setup:

I currently have a Sony a6000 with the two kit lenses, which I've owned for about 8 years. The 16-50mm kit lens is fine, but I'm not thrilled with the image clarity. I really like how sharp the 55-210mm telephoto is, but it's just too bulky most of the time. My two batteries are showing their age and neither lasts very long. I did just pick up a Retropia Oreo lens, which has been fun to play with, but that’s mostly a toy. The camera is general is still pretty big and while the photos beat my phone, I feel like I could be getting more if I’m using an actual camera.

What I like to shoot:

I mainly like to shoot city shots around town, landscapes while hiking, travel photography, and photos of my dog at home. Would love to be able to take some going out photos as well, instead of my on my phone. I’d also like to eventually be able to take baby and little kid photos on it too.

My dilemma:

Here’s my dilemma, and why I come to the camera council for help. I’m debating three options here:

Option 1 – upgrade the a6000. Buy new batteries and a new lens, maybe something like the Sigma 30mm f1.4 prime lens? Since I already own this, it’s the cheapest path forward. Downside is it’s already an old camera and it’s not getting any younger.

Option 2 – go compact with a Ricoh GR IIIx or GR IV. I love the idea of a pocketable camera I can carry everywhere in a new city. The photos look crisp and stunning. I know the IIIx is already pretty old, but it seems to rate higher than the newer IV? Admittedly my Instagram has been funneling this to me lately, which makes me think it’s overhyped.

Option 3 — Both. Since I already own the a6000, it's not too costly to upgrade it for dedicated shoots while using the Ricoh as an everyday carry.

I'm moving out of the U.S. soon and don't expect to find any of this at a reasonable price once I'm gone, so I'm looking to make this investment before I leave. What do you think?