What is the absolute cheapest wide-angle lens I can get for my R50 before I head to the Grand Canyon in ten days?
Ive been shooting on an old Rebel for years so I know how crop factors work but this new RF mount is throwing me for a loop and the native options are way pricier than I expected. I need something wider than the kit lens for landscapes.
Is it better to just buy an EF-EOS R adapter and find an old EF-S 10-18mm on eBay or is there a native RF-S prime Im missing? Im trying to stay under $250 because the trip is costing me a fortune...
Honestly, the native RF glass prices are pretty depressing for those of us on a budget. I had issues finding anything affordable when I first switched too. Unfortunately, there really isnt a secret cheap native prime that fits your needs right now. Your best bet is definitely going the adapter route. I use the Canon EF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-5.6 IS STM with the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R and it works like a charm. You can easily find that lens used for under $150, and the adapter is about $100. It stays right at your $250 limit. The native Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM is tiny and light but it usually costs way more than it should tbh, especially for a slower aperture. Don't sweat the adapter bulk, you will love the shots you get at the Grand Canyon with that setup. I am here if you have more questions about where to buy used!
I politely disagree about the adapter route. On a tiny body like the R50, an adapter plus old DSLR glass feels like a brick. In my experience, you should just hunt for a Canon RF-S 10-18mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM.
- Check Canons refurbished store
- Look for open-box units on eBay Its way more compact for hiking and much sharper than the EF-S version, tho it might be tight on your budget.
Adding my two cents... Ive tried many budget setups over the years and found that for big landscapes, autofocus is kinda overrated. I used a TTArtisan 10mm f/2 ASPH Canon RF recently and for under 200 bucks, the value is insane. Its fully manual, but honestly just set it to infinity and youre good... It gets way more of the canyon in frame than that kit lens ever could.
