So I finally swapped my old Rebel for the R10 and the autofocus is insane but the kit lens is kinda boring me already. Ive been shooting for a few years so I get how the 1.6x crop works but Im torn on what to get for my Chicago trip next month. My logic was to grab the RF 50mm f1.8 since its cheap but that makes it like an 80mm which feels a bit tight for street stuff. Then I saw the 28mm pancake lens and thought maybe thats better? My budget is pretty strict at $300 max so I cant really go for the L glass obviously. Im just stuck on which focal length feels more natural on this sensor since its my first mirrorless setup...
Honestly, I've been really happy with the Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Pancake on my R10. Since you're heading to Chicago, you definitely want something wider than the 50mm. That 50mm is cool for portraits, but on a crop sensor, it feels like you're constantly backing up into traffic just to fit a building in the frame... Here is how I see the options for your $300 budget:
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM Pancake: This is the winner imo. It gives you a 44.8mm equivalent view which is basically natural vision. It weighs almost nothing, exactly 120g, and the center sharpness data is actually better than the nifty fifty.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: Dirt cheap and great bokeh, but that 80mm focal length is just too zoomed in for street photography. Works well for headshots but not for the L-train.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM: If you love architecture, this gives you a 25.6mm ultra-wide look. It's fun, but maybe too specialized as your only prime lens. Stick with the 28mm. I've had no complaints using it for city trips. It makes the R10 feel like a point-and-shoot but with way better image quality. It's definitely the most versatile choice for your trip.
I had a similar experience when I first started out with crop sensors and unfortunately the Canon RF 50mm f1.8 STM really let me down for travel. I thought the price was too good to pass up but ended up missing so many shots in narrow streets because i just couldnt fit anything in the frame. Its great for bokeh and portraits but man, an 80mm equivalent field of view is just claustrophobic for a city like Chicago. I tried to make it work but eventually caved and got the Canon RF 28mm f2.8 STM Pancake instead. To be real with you, i was a bit disappointed with the plastic feel for a lens that costs nearly $300, but the 45mm equivalent focal length is much more usable. It actually fits in a jacket pocket too which is nice. If you want something even wider for those huge buildings, the Canon RF 16mm f2.8 STM is another option under your budget, though the edge sharpness isnt as good as i expected. Honestly tho, stick with the 28mm... the 50mm is just gonna frustrate you on those downtown sidewalks.
