What cheap lens should I actually get for my new R50? I honestly have no idea what these numbers mean and the kit lens is driving me crazy because it wont zoom in enough for my dogs at the park. I only have like 200 bucks right now and need something soon. Is there anything decent out there?
Honestly, the kit lens is fine for landscapes but trying to snap photos of pups running around at the park with it is just setting yourself up for frustration. Since you are on a tight 200 dollar budget, you definitely have to look at the used market or snag a deal on one of the smaller prime lenses because zoom glass is usually way too pricey for your current setup. Just be super careful when buying used and check for any scratches on the glass or fungus. Here is what I would suggest if you want to actually get closer to your dogs without breaking the bank:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM Lens
- This is basically the holy grail for budget shooters. It is sharp, super small, and gives you that nice blurred background look which is great for portraits of your pets.
- Canon RF-S 18-45mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM Lens
- You probably already have this, but if you do, maybe try practicing some panning shots while the dogs run past you. Whatever you do, make sure to check if you need an adapter for older lenses, though for the R50 you really want to stick with RF-S glass to keep things compact. If you really need more reach, you might want to consider saving up a bit longer for a dedicated telephoto, because cheap zooms usually look pretty soft imo. Dont rush into buying something random on eBay without reading the seller feedback first, trust me.
If you need more reach for the park, you gotta grab a telephoto zoom. Forget expensive glass for now. Your best bet is snagging a used Canon RF-S 55-210mm F5-7.1 IS STM or maybe look for a cheaper Canon EF-S 55-250mm F4-5.6 IS STM with an adapter.
- The 55-210mm is made for your camera, so no adapters needed.
- The 55-250mm is sharper, but you will need an EF-EOS R adapter.
Can confirm
