I literally just bought the Canon R50 yesterday because it looked small and cute but now I am panicking because my trip to Rome is in exactly 12 days and I have no clue how to actually use this thing properly. The guy at the store gave me this tiny flat lens (it says 18-45 on it?) and I tried taking pictures of my cat across the room but it barely zoomed in at all. I really want to get those nice shots of the Colosseum and maybe some street food stuff but I dont want to carry a massive bag of gear because we are walking everywhere.
I am so sorry if this is a stupid question but I am totally lost with all the numbers and letters on the boxes. My budget is pretty tight after buying the camera so maybe like 450 bucks max? I keep seeing things about primes and zooms and I am just so confused. I need something that:
- isnt too heavy to carry all day
- can zoom in on far away things
- wont break the bank
Is there one lens that can do everything like zoom in far but also take wide pictures of buildings? Or should I just stick with the one I have and hope for the best... I really dont want to ruin my vacation photos because I bought the wrong glass stuff. What should I buy?
Honestly, you should be careful not to buy too many lenses right before a big trip. It is easy to get overwhelmed. Since you want one lens that does it all, I would suggest looking at the Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM. It covers the wide angles for buildings and zooms in way further than the lens you have now. The only issue is it costs around 500 dollars brand new, which is just over your budget. You might want to consider checking the official Canon refurbished store online or buying used from a site like MPB to save some cash. That should easily get the price under your 450 dollar limit. Just make sure to order it immediately so you can test it before you fly out. You definitely dont want to be figuring out a new lens on your first day in Rome.
When I first shot in Italy years ago, I brought way too much gear and regretted it. Here are two ways to go:
- Canon RF-S 55-210mm f5-7.1 IS STM: Around 350 bucks. Gives you huge zoom, but you have to swap lenses.
- Canon RF-S 18-150mm f3.5-6.3 IS STM: Covers everything from wide to zoom. Costs a bit more but saves you the hassle. I always prefer the single lens route for travel.
I've tried many setups over the years and honestly, fumbling with multiple lenses in crowded spots is a recipe for disaster. In my experience, sensor dust is a real pain when you swap glass constantly. I once stuck to a single lens with a huge 10x zoom factor for a month. While the variable f-stop meant I needed more light, the 18mm to 200mm range handled everything from tight alleys to distant rooftops without the bulk.
