What are the absolute cheapest lenses I can get for my Canon EOS R5 because I basically spent all my savings on the camera body and now I realize I have almost nothing left for the actual lens part? I am so sorry if this is a really dumb question but I am a total beginner and all these numbers and letters like RF and EF and f-stops are just making my head spin and honestly I feel kind of sick thinking I bought a camera I cant even use yet. My sister is getting married in late September and I really wanted to take some nice professional looking photos for her but I only have maybe 450 dollars left to spend before the big day. I live in Seattle and everything is so expensive here already so I really need to find a bargain or something used.
I saw some lenses online for like 150 dollars but then people talk about adapters and I dont even know what that means or if it will make the pictures look blurry. Is there just one simple lens that is good for people and maybe some scenery that wont break the bank? I feel like such an idiot for not checking the lens prices first but I just assumed they were cheap like the ones for my old phone.
- do I need a specific brand
- what is a 50mm thing
- can I buy used stuff safely
I just dont want the photos to look like I took them on a potato after spending all this money...
Honestly, I'm super satisfied with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM for portraits. It works well and doesn't need an adapter. Buying used is totally safe and saves money!
Agree on the 50mm! I used it for my sisters wedding and the portraits were crisp.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Best bokeh.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM: Fits tiny bags. Both are amazing!
Just catching up... agree on the 50mm, but in my experience, a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM is better. TL;DR: Zoom is way more versatile for wedding ceremony shots.
Honestly, it is a bit of a bummer to see such a killer camera paired with a tiny budget because you really wont be seeing what that sensor can actually do. Unfortunately, the cheapest glass out there usually has slower autofocus which might make you miss shots at your sisters wedding if people are moving around.
- Buy the Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. It is super reliable and doesnt have any glass inside so it wont make your photos blurry at all. It just lets you use older EF lenses that are way cheaper on the used market.
- Look for a used Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM. It is a bit more than the 50mm but much better for scenery and group shots in Seattle. I have had issues with off-brand adapters in the past, so stick to the Canon one if you can find it. Just dont expect a 150 dollar lens to perform like a pro setup... it is gonna take some practice to get those professional looking shots you are after.
Finally someone says it. Ive been thinking this for a while but wasnt sure.
Building on the earlier suggestion, I actually have to disagree about sticking strictly to native RF glass given your tight budget. While the RF 50mm is okay, you might want to consider the technical advantages of adapting older professional-grade glass from other manufacturers instead. Its a bit more of a DIY approach to building a kit, but the optical quality can be much higher for the same price.
- Be careful with older third-party brands. Some of that glass wont communicate correctly with the R5 high-speed data bus, which might cause the camera to lock up during a shoot.
- Make sure to check the aperture blades for oil. If youre buying used, sticky blades will ruin your exposure timing.
- Just go with any high-end prime from a brand like Sigma or Tamron. You cant go wrong with their older pro-tier stuff if the glass is clean. Found this thread just now and had to chime in because people often overlook the technical compatibility issues with older tech... just test everything in person before the wedding if you can.
saw this earlier but just now getting a chance to reply... totally was in your exact shoes when i first got the r5. felt like a total idiot because the body took all my cash and i dont even know why i didnt check lens prices first. honestly, searching for budget r5 wedding lenses on youtube and reddit was how i found all my answers. spent a whole night watching videos and it was way easier than trying to read technical manuals. my setup has been working well for a while now and i am super satisfied with it. no complaints at all tbh. definitely just go search for those terms and watch the first few results... it really cleared everything up for me and helped me not feel so sick about the cost!
Man I wish I found this thread sooner. Would have saved me so much hassle.
