Whats the absolute smallest street lens for the R8 that doesnt sacrifice too much quality? I moved over from the Fuji x100 series recently because I wanted full frame but man the R8 body is tiny and most of the glass feels way too front-heavy on it. I looked at the 28mm f2.8 pancake which seems like the obvious choice for my trip to Chicago in a couple weeks but I heard some mixed things about the corner sharpness. I have about 400 bucks to spend and really need something thats gonna stay low profile so people dont think Im some pro photographer while Im walking around. Does the 35mm feel too bulky for a daily carry or is the 28mm the only real option...
Ugh, I totally feel your pain coming from the Fuji world. Honestly, it has been kinda frustrating trying to find that perfect balance on the R8. I really wanted to love the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM but after using it for a few weeks, it just wasnt as good as I expected. The corners are pretty mushy, which is a huge bummer if you are planning to shoot those wide Chicago street scenes with lots of architecture. I took it out for a long day of shooting and honestly... I was pretty disappointed with the edge smearing when I finally saw the files on a big screen. It just doesnt have that bite I was used to.
- The chromatic aberration on the 28mm can get pretty annoying in high contrast shots.
- It relies way too much on digital corrections in-camera to look decent.
- If you want better image quality and can handle a slightly tighter view, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is probably your best bet under 400 bucks. It is usually around 170 dollars and the center sharpness is way punchier than the pancake. Unfortunately, even the 50mm feels a bit cheap and plasticky in the hand compared to Fuji glass. I even tried adapting the old Canon EF 40mm f/2.8 STM with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R but that combo is just awkward. It makes the whole rig feel front-heavy and defeats the purpose of having a tiny body. It is a shame because the R8 sensor is incredible, Canon just doesnt have the right small glass for it yet.
- Canon RF 28mm f2.8 STM is the safest, most reliable choice for stealth.
- I've tried many, but the Canon RF 35mm f1.8 IS Macro STM is way too bulky... stay low profile.
