What is actually the best budget portrait lens for the Canon R7? Im getting so frustrated trying to pick something up for a family shoot in Seattle next month. My budget is pretty tight, around 300 bucks tops. Ive been looking at the RF 50mm f/1.8 since its so cheap, but people online keep saying the crop factor on the R7 makes it feel too tight for indoor shots. Then I read about the Sigma 56mm f/1.4 but that costs way more than I wanted to spend right now. Is there anything else that wont break the bank? Really dont want to make a bad investment before my trip...
Honestly, if you are really worried about the crop factor, look into the Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. It is super affordable and gives you the flexibility you need for tight indoor spaces where a prime just wont cut it. I have used it for travel and for the price, its hard to beat. Just make sure you have decent lighting because it is not as fast as that 50mm prime.
Man, honestly, I totally get the frustration. I tried using the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM indoors on my R7 and it was just way too cramped. Ended up selling it. If you can stretch just a little, the Viltrox 33mm f/1.4 AF is a much better focal length for tight rooms. It stinks that the good glass costs so much, but unfortunately, the cheap stuff usually disappoints if the framing doesnt work out.
In my experience, sticking with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is your safest bet. It is sharp, reliable, and perfectly fits your budget for those upcoming family portraits.
Like someone mentioned, the focal length is really the kicker here when you are shooting in cramped indoor spaces. I agree that being stuck with a lens that is too tight can lead to some serious regret once you start editing those photos later. Before you pull the trigger on anything new, I am curious about a couple things to help narrow this down:
- Are you planning on using a flash or some kind of lighting gear for these shots, or are you hoping to rely solely on natural window light?
- How much space do you actually have to move around in these rooms? Sometimes even a few extra feet of floor space changes everything. Personally, I prefer sticking with native glass for the sake of long-term reliability and autofocus performance, but that obviously limits the choices at your price point. If you aren't sure about the focal length, have you considered renting something for a couple days before the trip? It might save you from buying something you end up hating.
