So I recently splurged on this Canon EOS R5 because I really want to take some amazing photos of the mountains when I go to Zion National Park next month but I am totally lost with all the gear options. I'm a complete beginner and this camera is way more advanced than anything I've ever used before. People keep telling me that for landscape shots I should get a prime lens because the quality is better but I'm kinda confused why I would want a lens that doesnt zoom at all? It seems like it would be a huge pain to have to keep moving my feet just to get everything in the frame. My budget is around $1300 for a lens right now and I just want something that makes the scenery look really crisp and professional without being too difficult for a newbie to figure out. I've seen things about 14mm or 24mm or 35mm and I have no idea which one is right for big wide views or if I even need something different. Which prime lens is actually the best for a beginner doing landscapes on an R5?
> It seems like it would be a huge pain to have to keep moving my feet just to get everything in the frame. I used to feel that way. Over the years tho, I found the Canon RF 24mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM was the sweet spot. It handles that 45MP sensor for under $600. 24mm is wide enough for Zion without the crazy distortion of a 14mm. Honestly, ultra-wides are a total nightmare to compose when you're just starting out.
TL;DR: Primes are often a trap for landscape beginners because they lack flexibility in tricky terrain. Just catching up on this thread and honestly, my experience with primes for landscapes was not as good as expected. My early trips were filled with issues because I was physically limited by the terrain. Unfortunately, if you're at a place like Zion, zooming with your feet usually means walking into a canyon wall or off a cliff. It's pretty frustrating when you realize your lens is just slightly too tight for the scene and there's nowhere to move back to get the shot. Technically, that R5 sensor is so high-res that it really shows off every mistake. Swapping lenses in the desert wind is a bad idea because you'll get dust on the sensor. That's a total nightmare to clean and can even scratch things if you aren't careful. Are you planning on doing heavy hiking or just hitting the main shuttle stops? Also, did you already pick up a decent tripod? Without one, even the sharpest prime is gonna look soft if your hands aren't perfectly still.
