Looking for a budget zoom lens for the Canon EOS RP.

Question

So I finally upgraded to the EOS RP a few months back because I wanted to get into the full-frame game without selling a kidney but honestly I am so frustrated with the lens situation right now. I have been using that kit RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 and it is just... depressing. I know I know its a budget lens but the variable aperture is driving me nuts especially when I am trying to get some decent shots in anything that isnt direct blinding sunlight. The minute the sun starts to dip even a little bit my ISO just sky-rockets and everything looks like grain soup which kinda defeats the whole purpose of having a full-frame sensor in the first place right?

I am planning this trip out to the Oregon coast in about three weeks and I really want a decent zoom that wont break the bank but everything in the RF lineup thats actually good costs like two thousand dollars which is just insane for a hobbyist like me. I tried using my old EF lenses with the adapter but it makes the whole setup so front-heavy and clunky that it feels like I am carrying a brick around my neck all day and it just kills the joy of shooting for me. I wanted a compact setup and this adapter thing is just a mess and makes the camera feel unbalanced.

I really need something versatile for landscapes and maybe some street stuff while I am walking around the towns out there. My budget is strictly under $500 which I know is tight for full-frame but there has to be something better than this kit lens trash. I have looked at a few things but I keep getting mixed reviews on how they actually perform on the RP sensor:

maybe some older Tamron or Sigma stuff with the adapter if they arent too huge

used EF glass that is actually sharp and worth the weight

is there some hidden gem RF lens I am missing?

I just want something that feels like an actual upgrade and doesnt make me want to leave the camera in the hotel room because I am tired of fighting the aperture every five seconds. I feel like I am stuck between cheap plastic lenses and pro gear that costs more than my car and there has to be a middle ground somewhere for a guy just trying to take some nice coastal photos. What are you guys actually using on your RP when you dont want to spend a fortune?

Bukmekersk_ywsi · Accepted Answer

I ran into this exact wall when I was shooting the California coastline last fall. I tried to make that kit lens work, but that jump to f/7.1 just as the light starts getting good is a total killer for landscape work. I was seeing ISO 6400 on my RP when f/4 would have kept me at a much cleaner 1600. I know you said the adapter feels clunky, but there is a massive difference between a heavy f/2.8 zoom and some of the lighter EF glass. I ended up picking up a used Canon EF 24-70mm f/4L IS USM and it changed everything for me.Constant f/4 across the whole focal range.Its only about 600g, so it wont kill your neck like those heavy f/2.8 bricks.Has a dedicated macro mode thats surprisingly sharp for coastal textures.Usually runs around $400 to $450 on the used market. The balance with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R is actually decent because this lens is pretty compact for L-series glass. Its basically the only way to get constant aperture and pro-level sharpness without spending a fortune right now.

Artisanyjx · Answer

In my experience, finding a fast native zoom under five hundred is tough. IIRC, there might be a third-party option coming, but currently, most budget native zooms kinda struggle in low light.

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Looking for a budget zoom lens for the Canon EOS RP.