Honestly so frustrated right now. I finally pulled the trigger on the Canon EOS R8 because I wanted something lighter than my old DSLR setup, but I am seriously struggling with this kit lens. It just feels so soft and honestly pretty cheap feeling and the aperture is so slow that I can barely get any decent shots when I am out shooting at dusk or just inside my apartment. I am in Seattle and with the constant grey skies here, I feel like I am fighting this lens for every single photo. My budget is tight right now since I just dropped a grand on the body, so I really dont want to spend more than 400 or 500 bucks max on a replacement, but I need something sharper that can handle a bit more light than this f/4.5-6.3 garbage.
I really just want a solid walkaround lens for general photography stuff like street shots and maybe some candid portraits of my dog. Is it even possible to get decent glass for the RF mount at this price point or am I stuck in a dead end? I looked at that RF 50mm 1.8 because it is cheap, but I feel like that is too limited for a single lens setup. Should I just save up for the 24-105 f/4 L lens and keep hating my current situation for a few months, or is there a third party option or a cheaper prime that I am missing here? I am so tired of coming home, dumping my files on the computer, and just seeing everything looking muddy and lifeless. What are you guys using on the R8 that actually produces sharp images without breaking the bank?
Honestly, grab the Canon RF 35mm F1.8 Macro IS STM. It is super sharp, handles low light like a champ, and fits your budget perfectly for street shots.
Seattle skies are brutal for slow glass, I get it. Honestly, you dont need to drop L-series money to fix the mud. If you want something that covers a bit more ground than that 50mm, look at the Canon RF 16mm F2.8 STM. It is tiny and super sharp for street stuff. If you really want versatility without the price tag, try checking the used market for these:
- Canon RF 24-105mm F4-7.1 IS STM - its still variable aperture but much better glass than the kit.
- Canon RF 85mm F2 Macro IS STM - absolute killer for dog portraits if you find a deal. Basically, dont overthink it. The R8 sensor is fine, you just need faster glass. Even picking up a used Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM along with something wider might actually be cheaper than that one expensive zoom.
Any updates on this?