ok im so excited right now because Ive had my canon rebel t6 for a few years just using the boring kit lens and Im finally ready to upgrade for my trip to colorado next month!! ive been staring at lenses online for like three days straight and Im completely stuck between the nifty fifty (EF 50mm f/1.8) and the EF-S 24mm pancake lens, plus maybe looking at the 55-250mm zoom if I can swing it? my budget is around $250 max because honestly rent is killing me this month lol. so my logic was, the 50mm would be amazing for portrait stuff of my friends on the trails, but the 24mm is wider and probably better for landscape shots since we are gonna be in the mountains and space is tight in my backpack... wait actually can the crop sensor handle the 50mm okay inside smaller cabins or will it be too zoomed in?? Im leaning toward the 50mm cuz that background blur looks so dreamy, but someone told me wide angle is better for hiking. which one should I actually buy before I leave on the 14th...
Colorado mountains require wider glass than what a standard 50mm provides on your crop sensor body. Unfortunately, the crop factor makes that fifty feel like an 80mm lens, which is way too tight for most landscape shots inside cramped cabins or narrow trails.
- Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM: Much better for hiking and general walkaround use since it gives you a natural ~38mm equivalent field of view.
- Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM: Incredible reach for wildlife and distant peaks, and you can regularly find it used well under budget. I used to travel with the nifty fifty on my old Rebel and had issues with it being too restrictive outdoors. Rent is tough right now, so save your cash and skip the 50mm for this specific trip. Grab a used 24mm pancake instead and you will get much better landscape results without breaking the bank.
Quick reply while I have a sec... honestly that Canon EF-S 24mm f/2.8 STM is gonna be your best bet for a trip like that. I took mine to the Rockies a couple years back and it barely left my camera body. That crop factor turns the nifty fifty into an 80mm portrait lens which is way too tight for majestic mountain vistas or cramped cabin interiors. You just cant back up far enough sometimes. That said, if you can swing the zoom too, look for a used Canon EF-S 55-250mm f/4-5.6 IS STM. It's super light for hiking and gives you reach for wildlife without breaking the bank. Have an amazing time in Colorado!
@Reply #2 - good point! Over the years of shooting landscapes on crop sensors, I've tried many different focal lengths out in the field and gathered plenty of technical data on aperture blades and sensor crop math.
- The crop factor on your body changes the field of view significantly, meaning technical specs matter way more than just the marketing hype.
- Rent is tight so you gotta maximize your dollar per millimeter of glass. Honestly just search YouTube for crop sensor lens showdowns and watch the first video that pops up. There are endless technical breakdowns comparing field of view charts and aperture performance specifically for mountain hiking. You can also check out DPReview or Reddit r/photography for pixel-peeping comparisons. Good luck on the trip!