Honestly, finding decent wide glass for the RP under 300 bucks is kind of a nightmare right now. It is pretty disappointing that Canon makes these entry level full frame bodies but then charges a fortune for the lenses that actually make them shine. I had issues with some of the cheaper primes being way too niche for mountain trails and honestly, it can be a real letdown when your gear limits you. The 16mm is definitely too wide for most forest shots because it makes everything look like its miles away. If you want something that actually feels versatile without breaking the bank, I would try to find a used or refurbished deal on the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM.

• It gives you a zoom range so you can frame things better than a fixed lens.
• The Image Stabilization helps a lot if you are handholding while hiking.
• Its way more practical for a beginner than trying to guess the right distance. I really wish there were more third-party options available for us, but unfortunately, we are mostly stuck with what Canon gives us for now. Just be careful with that lens in low light... hiking in thick forest can get dark surprisingly fast and that aperture isnt very wide. It is a bit of a bummer to spend more after just buying the camera, but a zoom will save you so much frustration in the long run. You got this tho, just take it slow and enjoy the views.

I have been shooting landscapes for over a decade and honestly, the sticker shock for full-frame glass never really goes away. I remember my first trip out to the Columbia River Gorge with a cheap setup, and I was so worried my gear wasnt good enough. Trust me, you can get incredible shots without spending thousands. In my experience, the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is basically a steal for someone in your position. People on YouTube get all technical about barrel distortion and software corrections, but the RP handles all that in-camera automatically. I have used this lens on long treks where every ounce matters, and its so light you basically forget its in your bag. Here is why I think it fits your Portland trip:

• 16mm is perfect for those tight forest shots where you want to look up at the giant Douglas firs and get the whole canopy in frame.
• It is wide enough to capture a massive mountain peak and a wildflower field in one shot without having to back up into a bush.
• At f/2.8, you can actually do some decent star photos if you end up camping out. If 16mm feels way too extreme for you, look for a used Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM. It is usually the kit lens people sell for cheap when they upgrade. 24mm is the classic landscape focal length and much easier to compose with. I have tried many lenses over the years, and while the expensive ones are technically sharper, they wont make the hike any more fun than these budget gems will. Ngl, that 16mm is just way more fun to shoot with tho...

To add to the point above: unfortunately, that Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM can be a bit of a headache. I tried it for a while but the distortion is just massive... it basically relies on the camera software to fix the image so it dont look like a fisheye. I had issues with the corners being really muddy too. Its disappointing because the price is so tempting, but for mountains, it often makes huge peaks look like tiny hills way off in the distance. A couple quick tips:

• Get a used Canon Mount Adapter EF-EOS R to open up cheaper old glass.
• Try the Canon EF 24mm f/2.8 IS USM with that adapter if you find a deal. I really struggled with my first wide lens because I expected it to just fit more in, but it changed the perspective more than I wanted. Youll get the hang of it tho, just keep practicing!