So I finally picked up a used Canon RP for my trip to Utah next month but now Im stuck on the lens. My logic was to grab the RF 16mm f2.8 because its so cheap and tiny which is great for hiking but I keep reading reviews saying the distortion is basically a circle if you dont use the software profiles and the corners look mushy.
Then I looked at the RF 24-105 STM kit lens since its budget friendly but I worry f4-7.1 is gonna be too slow for some of those deeper canyon shots. Im trying to stay under $350ish total for this. Should I just bite the bullet on the 16mm or is there an older EF lens I should adapt that wouldnt be a total brick to carry around...
I took the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM out to Arches last spring and unfortunately it was a total disappointment. The barrel distortion is objectively terrible, like nearly 12 percent natively, which basically ruins your framing once the digital correction kicks in. I ended up with mushy corners that just didnt hold up on the RP sensor. Since youre heading to Utah, youll really notice it on those rock formations. If youre on a budget but want real glass, here is what I did:
- Look for a used Canon EF 17-40mm f/4L USM. I found one for $240 recently. The constant f/4 is way more predictable than that variable aperture kit lens.
- Grab a cheap Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R. It adds some weight, but the weather sealing and build quality on the L glass is better for desert dust.
- Seriously, avoid the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. I had issues in the deeper canyons where f/7.1 forced my ISO way too high for my liking. That 17-40mm might be old tech, but it still beats the cheap RF stuff for landscape work.
Yo! Just saw this and you definitely want something with more punch than that kit lens for Utah. If you can find a used Tamron SP 17-35mm f/2.8-4 Di OSD Canon EF, grab it immediately! Im obsessed with this lens for hiking because it only weighs 460g but the optics are insane. Having that f/2.8 at the 17mm end is an absolute lifesaver when you are deep in those narrow slot canyons where light is disappearing fast. Its way sharper than the RF 16mm and basically has zero distortion compared to that circle mess. Another fantastic budget pick is the Samyang 14mm f/2.8 ED AS IF UMC Canon EF. Its manual focus, but honestly at 14mm your depth of field is so massive that everything is in focus anyway! It gives you a wild 115-degree field of view that makes those desert arches look heroic. You can usually find them for like $200 used, which leaves you extra cash for beer and gas!
This ^
In my experience, people sleep on the older gold-ring primes. Honestly, if you want to avoid the weird digital stretching on that 16mm, look for a used Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM. I have used this glass for years and it is a solid workhorse. Its way more honest than the RF 16mm and you can grab one for like $180-200 if you shop around on the used market. Since you are hitting those dusty canyons, here is a quick DIY tip: wrap a bit of gaffer tape around the seal where the lens meets the adapter. It keeps the fine Utah silt from working its way into the pins. Tbh, it is a lifesaver when the wind picks up and you are hiking through sand. TL;DR: Get a used Canon EF 20mm f/2.8 USM. It is sharp, cheap, and wont distort your shots into a circle like the RF 16mm does.
TL;DR: Grab a used Canon EF 17-40mm f4L USM. Its built like a tank for hiking and basically handles wide views better than the 16mm without exceeding that $350 budget.
Late to the party but this whole thread is 💯. Glad I found it.
