So I finally pulled the trigger and got a Canon R50 after using my iPhone for like years now. The kit lens is fine I guess but I really want that professional look with the blurry backgrounds everyone talks about. I've been doing some digging and everyone says to get the RF 50mm f1.8 because its cheap and small but then I saw some videos saying on a crop sensor like the R50 it actually acts like an 80mm lens and that sounds kinda zoomed in? Like if I'm at a restaurant or something I dont want to have to stand in the hallway just to get my friends face in the frame lol. Then I saw the 28mm f2.8 pancake lens which looks cool because its tiny but its a bit more expensive and I'm worried f2.8 wont give me that really nice bokeh compared to the f1.8.
My situation:
- Budget: Trying to keep it under $250 or maybe $300 if it's really worth it. Im looking for used deals too if that helps.
- Timeline: I'm going to Chicago for a long weekend in about three weeks so I need to order something like yesterday so I can practice with it before I go.
- Use case: Mostly taking pictures of my golden retriever at the park and then some street shots/architecture while I'm on my trip. Maybe some low light indoor stuff.
- Portability: One of the reasons I got the R50 was because it's tiny so I dont want a massive lens that makes it heavy to carry around all day.
I also looked at those Sigma lenses people keep mentioning but I think they just announced them for RF mount and they aren't out yet or they're super expensive? Its all a bit confusing honestly. Should I just stick with the 50mm and deal with the crop or is there something else I'm missing that works better for an all-rounder on a budget? I really want that low light performance too because the kit lens sucks once the sun starts going down...
Honestly, you're 100% right about that 50mm being tight. In my experience, using an 80mm equivalent lens in a cramped restaurant or on a busy Chicago sidewalk is a total nightmare. Youll spend the whole trip frustrated because you cant fit anything in the frame. Over the years, I've found that a 35mm or 28mm is much more versatile for a one-lens setup on a crop body like yours. Here is what I would actually recommend:
- Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM
- This is the gold standard. You get the f/1.8 for those blurry backgrounds and it has image stabilization which the R50 lacks in-body. Look for a used one to hit that $300 mark.
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM
- Insanely portable. It wont give you as much blur as the 50mm, but it makes the camera feel like a point-and-shoot. If you really want the dog portraits to pop, the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is so cheap you could honestly swing both if you shop the used market... but for the trip? Get something wider.
