Ive been shooting on my Canon RP for about two years now mostly doing street stuff and some portraits with my 50mm but I am heading out to Zion next month and realized I have literally zero wide angle options in my bag. I usually stick to primes but I am looking for something that wont break the bank since I already spent a ton on the trip itself.
I know the RF 16mm is an option but I heard the distortion is kinda wild and the L series glass is way out of my budget right now like under $400 is the goal. Should I just grab an EF adapter and look for an old 17-40mm or is there a better native option I am missing?
I went to Zion a few years back and nearly ruined my shots because I didnt realize how much the canyon walls stretch at the edges. I was trying to save money then so I grabbed a cheap setup. You definitely need to be careful with the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM. The distortion is real, tho the camera fixes most of it. If you're picky about straight lines, it might drive you nuts... I would suggest these budget paths:
- Look for a used Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM. I used one for years and it is built like a tank, but be careful because the corners get soft if you dont stop down to f/8.
- Make sure to check the used market for the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. It isnt a prime, but 24mm is usually wide enough for that scale and it is very cheap. Just watch out for flare when shooting into the sun. Older glass really struggles with that.
I had issues with the adapted route myself because it kills the RPs portability. Unfortunately, my experience with the Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM was not as good as expected due to soft corners on modern sensors.
- Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is usually around $300 used.
- Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF gives a massive field of view. It is disappointing how few native budget wides exist, but these wont feel as clunky while hiking.
Like someone mentioned, corner softness on those old EF zooms is a real gamble. In my experience, sticking to native glass is just safer for a big trip like Zion. I would check used listings on MPB or KEH to keep costs down. You can find a Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM for around $350. It is much more reliable than adapting and handles the desert light better.
Commenting to find later
