So I just got this R50 for my vacation to Seattle next month and I'm honestly freaking out a bit because the kit lens feels so limited in low light. I've spent like three days reading reviews and I still cant decide what to buy before I leave. I only have about $250-300 max left in my budget after buying the body and I really dont want to carry a huge setup around anyway.
Im basically torn between the RF 50mm f/1.8 or maybe the RF 28mm pancake lens. The 50mm is super cheap and everyone says the bokeh is great but then I read that on an APS-C sensor it acts like an 80mm which might be too zoomed in for walking around the city? But then the 28mm is tiny and seems perfect for street shots but it isnt as fast. I even looked at the 18-150mm but that is way out of my price range unless I find a crazy used deal which I havent yet.
If I'm mostly taking photos of my family and some street stuff in the evenings which one should I go with because I need to order it like today to make sure it gets here in time...
> the 50mm... acts like an 80mm which might be too zoomed in for walking around the city? Yeah, your gut is totally right on that one. An 80mm equivalent focal length on that crop sensor is gonna feel super tight in narrow Seattle spots like Pike Place. I would suggest being really careful with the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM because while that f/1.8 aperture is tempting for low light, you'll find yourself constantly backing up into traffic just to fit your family in the frame. It's basically a dedicated portrait lens on the R50. I'd honestly recommend the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM instead. Here is how I see them comparing:
- 28mm: 45mm equiv field of view, tiny pancake size, sharp wide open, but f/2.8 is slower.
- 50mm: 80mm equiv field of view, better bokeh, f/1.8 is great for dark rooms, but too narrow for street. The 28mm is only about 120 grams too, so you wont even feel it on the camera. Make sure to keep in mind that neither of these lenses has optical stabilization, and since the R50 doesn't have IBIS, you might want to watch your shutter speeds when it gets dark. The 28mm is surprisingly high-end for a budget lens tho, using three aspherical elements to keep things crisp. If you can find a used Canon RF-S 18-150mm f/3.5-6.3 IS STM, that's the dream for travel, but for your budget right now? The 28mm is the way to go. Just grab it and dont look back... it fits the R50 vibe way better.
Re: 50mm acting like an 80mm... agree. The Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is a solid 45mm equivalent. Also look at the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM if you want wider shots.
In my experience, the 1.6x crop factor really changes the technical utility of your glass. Over the years I've tried many setups for city travel, and I actually started out using the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM on an APS-C body. I learned pretty fast that the constraints of a tight focal length are a huge deal when you're on the move.
- Spatial limits: Backing into walls to fit a family shot is a real struggle with longer lenses in narrow streets.
- Form factor: A flatter profile like the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM keeps the whole rig balanced for all-day carry.
- Perspective: A wider field of view usually offers more value for street storytelling than a super fast aperture. A while back, I prioritized a more compact, wider perspective and it totally changed how I shot. It made everything feel way more immersive... basically exactly what I needed for a dense city environment. Modern sensors handle the ISO bump for a slower lens way better than they used to anyway.
