so I finally pulled the trigger on the Canon R8 because I wanted that full frame look for my trip to Tokyo next month and honestly im so excited to get out there but man the kit lens is just... its driving me crazy already. its so slow and the quality feels kinda mushy for what I paid. im honestly fed up with carrying around this cheap plastic glass that doesnt do the sensor justice. I need something thats great for travel but doesnt weigh a ton because were gonna be walking like 20k steps a day. ive got about 800 bucks left in my budget for one good do-it-all lens. what should I get for the R8 that isnt gonna break my back or my bank account?
Regarding what #1 said about "honestly totally agree that the kit lens is a massive bottleneck," I definitely agree. You might want to consider the Canon RF 24-105mm f/4-7.1 IS STM for range, but I would suggest the Canon RF 35mm f/1.8 Macro IS STM for Tokyo. It is safer for low light and much lighter. Be careful with heavy glass on 20k step days. Both options stay well under your 800 budget.
honestly totally agree that the kit lens is a massive bottleneck for such a killer sensor! you really need something that can keep up with the autofocus speed and resolution of that R8. adding my two cents on the technical side of why upgrading is the right move for your trip:
- center sharpness is usually okay on the cheap stuff but the corners get so mushy that your landscape shots of the city will look like a blurry mess.
- micro-contrast is way better on high end glass which makes the colors in those Tokyo streets really pop without much editing.
- lens flare control is crucial when you have all those bright city lights hitting your sensor at night. its amazing how much of a difference a faster aperture makes for that gorgeous full frame bokeh! you wont regret spending the extra cash to get the most out of your gear.
