So I finally pulled the trigger and got the Canon R50 last week and I am so hyped to start using it!! I actually bought it specifically for a big trip I have coming up to Japan in about three weeks so I am kind of on a time crunch to figure out my gear. Right now I only have the little 18-45mm kit lens that came in the box and while it is super tiny and cute I feel like it is not gonna be enough for what I want to do. I have been doing a ton of reading online and everyone keeps mentioning the RF 50mm f1.8 because it is cheap and sharp but then I saw some people saying that on a crop sensor like the R50 it actually acts like an 80mm lens? That sounds super zoomed in for walking around Tokyo or taking photos of ramen in a tiny restaurant lol.
I also looked at the RF-S 18-150mm because it seems like the ultimate travel lens but it is almost $500 new which is really stretching my budget since I already spent so much on the camera and the flight tickets. My budget for a new lens is probably around $300 or maybe $350 if I can find a good deal on a used one. I really just want one - do it all - lens that I can leave on the camera the whole day. I hate the idea of carrying a bag of lenses and switching them out while I am trying to navigate the subway or whatever.
Should I just stick with the kit lens and maybe buy a cheap prime like that 50mm? Or is there something else I am missing that is affordable but gives me a bit more reach or better low light performance for night markets? I really want my vacation photos to look better than my iPhone 14 Pro but I am still such a beginner with all the different focal lengths and stuff it is honestly a bit overwhelming trying to pick the right one...
Congrats on the R50! I got mine a few months ago and honestly i am so satisfied with how it handles for the price. You are totally right about the 1.6x crop factor math tho. That 50mm becomes an 80mm equivalent which is way too tight for narrow Tokyo alleys or sitting across from someone in a restaurant. Here are two options that actually make sense for your budget and travel style:
- Canon RF 28mm f2.8 STM
- This pancake lens is tiny. It gives you a 44.8mm field of view which is basically what the human eye sees naturally. It is much faster than your kit lens so night markets will look way better and less grainy.
- Canon RF-S 18-150mm f3.5-6.3 IS STM
- If you can find a used one for $350, jump on it. It covers a 29-240mm equivalent range. I have no complaints about the sharpness and it stays on my camera 90% of the time because it is so versatile. Personally, i would hunt for a used 18-150mm. Having that extra reach for temples and stuff is a game changer for Japan.
