What is the best budget prime lens for Canon EOS R10?

Question

Ive been shooting on full frame for years but just picked up an R10 for a lighter setup and Im totally stuck on what lens to grab for my nieces graduation next week. My logic was just to grab the RF 50mm 1.8 since its dirt cheap but then I realized the 1.6x crop makes it way too tight for the venue.

Budget is super tight like under $300 and I really need a native mount if possible to keep it small. I looked at the 16mm but it feels too wide for portraits. Is there any hidden gem for RF-S that Im missing or should I just suck it up and get the 28mm pancake? Im honestly just panic searching at this point and need to buy something by tomorrow...

WilliamWhich · Accepted Answer

Building on the earlier suggestion, I actually have a different take on the 28mm pancake. Dont get me wrong, the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is tiny and sharp, but using it on an R10 in a dark graduation venue is gonna be a struggle. Since the R10 lacks in-body stabilization, you really want a lens that has IS built-in, especially if you are trying to keep your ISO from hitting 6400+ in a dim gym. Tbh, you should look at the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM instead. Its a 56mm equivalent on your crop sensor, which is basically a perfect standard prime for events. It gives you a full stop more light over the pancake, and the 5-stop image stabilization is a lifesaver when youre shooting handheld from the stands. I know the MSRP is usually higher, but check the refurbished section on the Canon site or used listings; they go for $299 or less all the time. If 35mm still feels too tight for you, the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM is the other choice, though its harder to find under $300. Honestly, the 35mm is the sweet spot. The autofocus is plenty fast for a graduation walk, and the background blur is way better than what youll get from that f/2.8 pancake. Just make sure you check the used shops today so you can get it by next week.

Nestorhesaw · Answer

The 1.6x crop factor really limits options in tight spaces. A 28mm focal length results in a roughly 45mm effective field of view. It works okay. But f/2.8 might cause issues with high ISO noise in dim auditoriums. Be careful with ultra-slim pancake designs tho; they often sacrifice autofocus speed and motor torque. If you're shooting moving subjects, slow tracking will basically ruin your hit rate.

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What is the best budget prime lens for Canon EOS R10?