Im looking for a cheap prime for my R10 to shoot street photography around NYC next month. My budget is like 300 bucks max. Read good things about the RF 16mm but people keep complaining about the edge sharpness and distortion. Should I just save up for the 35mm or is there something better?
If you want pure reliability for street work, honestly skip the compromises and grab the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM pancake lens. It is absolutely fantastic on the R10 sensor! Since you have a cropped sensor, the effective field of view is roughly 45mm, which is the perfect sweet spot for street photography. The images are tack sharp and the build quality feels solid for such a tiny piece of glass.
- No weird distortion issues to fight with in post
- Super lightweight for all-day NYC walking
- Fast enough aperture for evening shots I really love how discreet it makes the camera look. You wont stand out at all! Definitely worth every penny for the peace of mind. Just get it and enjoy your trip.
Honestly, ive shot a ton in the city and the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM is actually fine if you fix the profile in Lightroom. The edges dont really matter for street shots anyway, its all about the moment. I wouldnt stress the distortion too much. If you want something sharper for portraits, maybe save up for the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM later. Just watch your gear in the crowded spots.
Wait really?? Thats actually super helpful. I always thought it was the other way around.