Ugh, Im literally pulling my hair out trying to decide on a lens for my new R8. I went out to downtown Chicago last weekend to try and get some candid street shots and honestly I just felt like my gear was holding me back. My kit lens is fine for landscapes but it just isnt fast enough when people are moving through the crowds and the light starts dipping at sunset. I need something wider and sharper but Im stuck in a loop reading reviews and getting nowhere.
Im torn between the RF 35mm f/1.8 and the RF 50mm f/1.8. Everyone says the 35 is better for street but im worried it wont be close enough for those candid portraits that I really like capturing. Then again the 50 feels a bit tight when im dodging tourists on Michigan Ave. My budget is pretty tight right now since I just bought the camera body, maybe like 400-500 bucks max, and I need to have something picked out before a trip to Seattle next month because I really dont want to be dealing with this same frustration while im traveling.
- RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM
- RF 50mm f/1.8 STM
I keep leaning toward the 35 because of the IS but then I watch these videos of people using the 50 and the compression looks so much better for what I want. Is the 35 actually worth the extra money for street work or should I just save the cash and go with the nifty fifty? My head is spinning from all the forum threads saying different things and I just need someone to tell me if the 35 is really that much more versatile for someone like me who is still kinda learning the ropes...
^ This. Also, I spent a good year obsessing over the exact same choice before I finally grabbed the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM. If you're nerding out on the technical side, the 35mm focal length is just so much more forgiving when you're moving fast. I found that at 50mm, I was constantly backing into crowds or traffic just to frame a shot properly. Here is what I noticed after using both on my own rig:
- The 35mm has a closer minimum focusing distance at 0.17m compared to the 0.3m on the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM, which is huge for those candid street details.
- You get that optical image stabilization, which technically gives you a few extra stops of light when you're handheld in darker alleys or dim cafes.
- The 35mm is effectively a 56mm equivalent if you crop into APS-C mode on the R8, so you basically get two lenses in one package. I was super satisfied once I stopped worrying about the compression difference. The 35mm bokeh is plenty smooth, and honestly, the sharpness wide open is way better than that old nifty fifty design. If you really want that tight compression for portraits, just move a few steps closer to your subject. It forces you to interact more with the scene, which is exactly how you get those genuine street candids anyway. You wont regret the extra cost for the versatility, trust me.
Honestly, go with the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM. That extra bit of width is a lifesaver when you are in tight city streets. The image stabilization is super helpful too, especially when the light drops and you are trying to avoid blurry shots. Just be careful with the focus speed, but for street work, it is way more versatile than the 50mm. You really dont want to regret being stuck with a tight frame in Seattle.
> The 50 feels a bit tight when im dodging tourists on Michigan Ave. My budget is pretty tight right now. I totally get where you're coming from. I was stressing over this same exact choice last summer before my own trip. Honestly, if you feel cramped in the city, the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 IS Macro STM is gonna be your best friend. I know it costs a bit more than the nifty fifty, but for street stuff, having that extra field of view is worth every penny. You'll be way less frustrated trying to step back to fit a building or a whole scene into the frame. I picked up the Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM too because it's so cheap, but it stays in my bag way more than the 35. The 35mm focal length is just more natural for capturing the vibe of a place without feeling like you're standing a mile away. Plus, the stabilization on the 35 helps a ton when the sun goes down and you're trying to keep things sharp without a tripod. Just grab the 35 and don't look back. You'll be way happier in Seattle with a lens that actually keeps up with your walk, and you can always crop in a little later if you really need that 50mm look. Good luck with the trip!
I feel your pain so much. Dealing with gear anxiety right before a big trip is literally the worst feeling. I spent all of yesterday morning stressing about my own lens setup for an upcoming shoot and honestly, I just ended up closing my browser in a fit of rage because there is way too much conflicting advice out there.
- Forums are just endless rabbit holes
- Everyone has a different opinion on what is essential
- My brain is completely fried from reading technical specs Honestly, I would suggest just searching for something like street photography lens comparison videos on YouTube. There is this one creator I saw a while back who does really deep dives into that exact focal length debate, and it basically covers everything you would ever want to know. It might be easier than digging through these threads all day, cause my head is definitely spinning too.