I recently purchased the new Canon EOS R100 mirrorless camera and am looking for advice on the best native RF lenses to pair with it for general purpose photography.
Here are my top recommendations:
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Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM: This is the perfect kit lens - small, light, and versatile with a 28.8-72mm equivalent focal range. It has fast AF, 4 stops of IS, and delivers solid image quality. A great all-rounder to start with.
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Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM: If you want an all-in-one superzoom so you don't have to change lenses, this covers an impressive 28.8-240mm range. The 4.5-stop IS and 0.59x macro capability are nice bonuses.
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Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM: For landscapes, architecture, vlogs, and any time you need to go wide, this is your lens. The 16-28mm equivalent range and 4 stops of IS make up for the slower aperture.
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Canon RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM: Need reach for wildlife, sports, or travel? This compact tele zoom gives you 88-336mm with 4.5 stops of stabilization. A bit slow but great for the size and price.
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Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM: This tiny 45mm equivalent pancake is a perfect pocket companion, turning the R100 into a take-anywhere street shooter or vlogging setup. Optical quality is impressive for the size.
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Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: An affordable prime that acts as an 80mm portrait lens on the R100, with a fast f/1.8 aperture to melt backgrounds. A bargain that belongs in every kit.
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Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM: For astrophotography, events, group shots and more, this 26mm equivalent prime gives you a wider view than the 10-18mm zoom, with a faster f/2.8 aperture.
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Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM: Your "nifty fifty" on the R100 with a 56mm field of view perfect for everyday shooting, low light work, and even 0.5x macro. The 5-stop IS is handy too.
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Canon RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM: An ideal portrait lens, giving a 136mm equivalent view, f/2 aperture for subject separation, and 0.5x macro with 5 stops of IS. Pricier but worth it!
For Canon EOS R100, one great lens to consider is the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. This lens is compact, lightweight, and offers excellent image quality, making it versatile for portraits, street photography, and low-light conditions due to its wide aperture.
Been thinking about your setup for a few hours since I use the same camera. I was pretty nervous about spending too much money when I first started, but I'm really satisfied with how these two worked out. They keep the R100 feeling light and easy to use without breaking the bank.
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is basically perfect if you want to keep the camera small. Its a pancake lens so the whole thing stays very low profile. Honestly works well for just walking around.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is my pick for wider stuff like buildings or nature. Its super cheap for what you get and I havent had any issues with it at all. I usually stick to the official refurb store to save a few bucks. Its way safer than buying used from random people and the gear arrives looking brand new.
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
Tamron and Sigma are going to release RF mount APS-C lenses, just wait several months.
@waterme Sigma 18-50mm f/2.8 DC DN Contemporary Lens for Canon RF is already released: https://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/search?Ntt=SIGMA+18+50mm+Contemporary+Mirrorless+Cameras&BI=8941&KBID=10361&SID=12345&DFF=d50
Here are three of the best-selling lenses that are highly recommended for your Canon EOS R100:
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- This compact and lightweight lens is ideal for portraits, street photography, and low-light situations due to its fast f/1.8 aperture. It offers excellent image quality and a shallow depth of field.
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Canon RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM:
- A versatile standard zoom lens that covers a wide focal range, making it suitable for various types of photography, from landscapes to portraits. It features image stabilization and is part of Canon's L-series, ensuring high-quality optics and build.
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- Perfect for wide-angle shots, this compact lens is great for landscapes, architecture, and vlogging. Its fast f/2.8 aperture makes it suitable for low-light environments, and it pairs well with the EOS R100 for a lightweight travel setup.
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Huh interesting. I had no idea. The more you know I guess 🤷
Canon EOS R100 is an entry-level mirrorless camera that accepts RF lenses. Here are some excellent lens options:
Budget-Friendly Options
- RF 50mm f/1.8 STM ($199): Compact "nifty fifty" with great low-light performance
- RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM ($299): Lightweight kit lens with image stabilization
- RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM ($399): Versatile zoom with good range
Mid-Range Upgrades
- RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM ($499): Excellent for street, everyday, and close-up photography
- RF-S 55-210mm f/5-7.1 IS STM ($349): Affordable telephoto for portraits and distant subjects
Worth Saving For
- RF 24-105mm f/4L IS USM ($1,299): Professional-grade versatile zoom
- RF 85mm f/2 Macro IS STM ($599): Beautiful portrait lens with macro capabilities
Since the R100 lacks in-body stabilization, lenses with IS (Image Stabilization) provide significant advantages, especially in lower light.
Can confirm this works. Did the same thing on mine and its been solid ever since.