Like someone mentioned, you really dont need to overcomplicate things before heading to Japan. If you want that pro look, you just need a wider aperture. Since you are using the R50, you are looking for RF-S glass. Be careful not to accidentally buy the older EF lenses without an adapter, as that just adds bulk and cost you dont need right now. I would suggest checking out the Canon RF-S 16mm f/2.8 STM. Its super tiny, fits perfectly in a jacket pocket for street photography in Tokyo, and itll give you much more light than that kit lens. Just keep in mind that at 16mm, you will need to get a bit closer to your friends for those portraits. If you really want that super creamy background blur, you might want to consider the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM. It is basically the gold standard for budget portraits. Since your camera has a crop sensor, it actually acts like an 80mm lens, which is perfect for flattering headshots. Just make sure to check your focus, because at f/1.8 the depth of field is razor thin. So yeah, between the previous advice about keeping it simple and these two specific options, you have a solid plan. Grab one of these, practice for a few days, and dont stress the gear. You are gonna have a blast in Tokyo, just focus on the composition and keep shooting.

> I feel like such a newbie asking this but Im super anxious about showing up to Tokyo without knowing how to use my gear properly. What should I be looking for or should I just stick with the kit lens for now and stop worrying... Dont stress about it, honestly. Everyone starts exactly where you are. The kit lens is okay for wide landscapes, but for portraits, you really want a faster aperture to get that separation from the background. Since you are on a tight budget and heading to Japan, you absolutely need to look at the Canon RF 50mm F1.8 STM. Its basically the gold standard for beginners. It stays well under your 300 dollar budget and the F1.8 aperture lets in way more light than your kit lens ever will. That lower number is what gives you that creamy, blurry background people call bokeh.

• It is super compact, so it wont take up much room in your bag while you are exploring Tokyo.
• The sharpness is solid for the price point, especially if you stop it down just a tiny bit to F2.8.
• You will definitely notice a difference in low light performance too, which is huge for evening shots in the city. Just grab that lens and practice a bit before you fly out. Youll be fine, and you are going to get some epic shots. Good luck with the move!

Honestly, don't sweat the gear too much. When I lived in Tokyo a few years back, I brought way too much glass and ended up using just one small prime the whole time. You want something with a wide aperture, like f/1.8 or lower, which is basically the secret sauce for that creamy background blur people call bokeh. In my experience, you should just hunt for any standard prime from Canon that fits your R-series mount. Even the cheaper ones are miles better than that kit lens for portraits because they let in so much more light. Just grab a simple prime, keep your subject away from the background, and you will see that blurry look you're after instantly. Don't overthink the specs, just get something small and lightweight so you aren't dragging a brick around Kyoto.