Planning a trip to Japan in about two months and I really need a decent lens for my R50. The kit lens is fine but just doesnt cut it for low light or that blurry background look I want. Im on a tight budget, maybe around 300 bucks max. Im currently looking at these:
- Canon RF-S 16mm f/2.8
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8
Really leaning toward the 16mm because it seems better for city streets and travel but Im worried about distortion or it not being sharp enough. Is the 50mm gonna be way too tight for general travel shots on a crop sensor body? Need something small since I hate carrying a heavy bag...
Honestly, grab the Canon RF-S 16mm f/2.8 STM for Japan. Its an absolute no-brainer for city streets! The 16mm focal length on your crop sensor gives you that equivalent 25mm field of view which is perfect for tight alleyways and epic architecture shots. The 50mm is cool but it gets real cramped indoors or in busy tourist spots. Youll basically be forced to back up constantly, which is super annoying. The 16mm is tiny and weighs next to nothing, so it stays in your bag without you even knowing its there. Just remember to stop down to f/4 if you want max sharpness across the frame, but honestly, even wide open its totally fine for travel memories!
Agree with the previous post, the Canon RF-S 16mm f/2.8 STM is definitely the way to go for Japan. Using a 50mm on a crop sensor feels like looking through a straw for most travel stuff.
- The 16mm is tiny, basically a pancake lens.
- Distortion is handled well by the camera software.
- Sharp enough for travel, especially if you stop down to f/4.
Like someone mentioned, the 16mm is definitely the more practical choice for a trip like that. Honestly, using a 50mm on an R50 feels pretty restrictive when you are trying to capture those wide temple shots or busy markets.
- How much are you planning to shoot indoors versus outdoors?
- Are you mostly looking to capture street scenes or do you want portraits of people?