I leave for Japan next Tuesday and I realized the kit lens on my R10 just isnt gonna cut it for the night shots i want to take. Im on a super tight budget after paying for the flights so I need to stay under $300 max. I am really torn between the RF 50mm f/1.8 and that tiny RF 28mm pancake lens. The 50mm is cheaper but on my R10 its like an 80mm which feels a bit tight for street stuff but great for portraits. The 28mm seems better for walking around but its a bit more expensive for me right now. Which one is gonna be more versatile for a one-lens-only trip or should I just look at the 16mm instead?
In my experience, go with the safest bet:
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is most versatile
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is too tight
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM has distortion
I would suggest being careful with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM because that 1.6x crop makes it an 80mm equivalent. Too tight for Tokyo. The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is technically best for a 45mm field of view.
- Watch shutter speed since R10 lacks IBIS
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM has notable barrel distortion Honestly, the 28mm is much more manageable for a one-lens setup.
Lol I was literally about to post the same thing. Glad someone else brought it up.
This is exactly what I needed to hear. Youre a lifesaver honestly.
Had some time to think about this while looking over my own gear logs, and honestly, the whole RF-mount pricing situation drives me crazy. It is such a scam how limited these affordable primes are compared to the old EF-S glass we used to have. Like someone mentioned, the 28mm is a decent option, but people act like the 50mm is unusable on an R10. It is a sharp optic, sure, but the lack of an aperture ring or proper weather sealing on these cheap pancakes is just frustrating. Manufacturers really dont care about budget users anymore, they just want us stuck in their ecosystem with mediocre build quality. It honestly feels like the quality is going downhill while prices stay sky-high. I have been fighting with my own R-series compatibility issues for months, and it is just a headache. Just pick one and go, because the constant stress over which sub-300 dollar lens is perfect for a trip is basically a lose-lose situation anyway.
Saving this thread
In my experience, the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is king for Japan.
- wider view
- super light The 50mm is just too zoomed in for tight streets tbh.
^ This. Also, just catching up on the thread and it seems like the consensus is leaning heavily toward the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM. Everyone is basically saying the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is way too tight for those narrow alleys and the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is a bit too niche for a solo lens trip. I've used these for quite a while and i'm always satisfied with the 28mm, it just works well for everything. To help everyone give you better advice tho, what kind of night shots are you actually picturing? Like, are you thinking wide neon street scenes or more close-up food and portraits? Also, is having a tiny lens a total dealbreaker for you, or are you just looking for the best glass that stays under that $300 limit? Let me know and i can help you figure out the best move.
If you are strictly looking at performance for your trip, just make sure you test your autofocus settings before you leave. I had a buddy who went to Japan last year and he missed so many shots because he didnt realize his firmware was outdated and the tracking was struggling in low light. It reminds me of the time I spent three hours trying to find a specific type of high-end camera bag in a massive department store in Shinjuku, only to realize I was on the wrong floor the whole time. The elevators there are super confusing and the signage is just everywhere, totally overwhelming. Anyway lol, sorry kinda went off topic there.
