What is the best budget-friendly zoom lens I can actually afford for my new Canon R8 that isn't going to look like trash? I finally made the jump from my old T7i to full-frame and man, I'm honestly panicking a bit about the lens prices. I've been shooting for nearly a decade and I know my way around an aperture ring, but these RF prices are just on another level compared to the EF-S stuff I'm used to. I snagged the R8 body only because it was a great deal, but now I'm sitting here with a paperweight because I can't decide on a walkaround zoom.
I've been looking at the 24-105mm f/4 L and almost choked on my coffee... $1300? No way. I'm heading out to Glacier National Park in literally three weeks and I desperately need something versatile. I'm worried about the 24-105mm f/4-7.1 non-L version because that f/7.1 at the long end seems so slow, especially since the R8 doesn't have in-body stabilization and I'm a bit shaky sometimes when I'm hiking. Then there is the 24-50mm kit lens but that zoom range is honestly a joke, why even bother with a zoom that only goes to 50mm?
I've got about $500, maybe $600 if I skip a few meals, and I'm looking at the used market too. I've narrowed it down to a few things but I'm torn:
- RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 STM (cheap but is the low light performance gonna be terrible?)
- Tamron or Sigma EF lenses with an adapter (will they be too bulky?)
- Used EF 24-105 f/4 L with the adapter (does the AF still work fast on the R8?)
I just want something sharp enough for landscapes but that won't give me crazy chromatic aberration when the sun hits the peaks. I really don't want to regret this upgrade because the sensor on the R8 is amazing, but the lens situation is stressing me out big time. Anyone else go through this when they switched? Is the f/7.1 actually usable for daytime landscapes or am I just overthinking the aperture numbers...
In my experience over the years, moving to full-frame always brings some sticker shock. I think that f/7.1 aperture isnt the dealbreaker you think it is for landscapes, especially since youll be stopping down anyway.
- EF glass with an adapter works perfectly, IIRC the AF is actually better on mirrorless
- Not sure if the cheaper RF zoom is weather sealed tho
- Range on the 24-50 feels kinda cramped