> I saw people raving about the RF 16mm prime because its super cheap, but then some pros on a discord server said the corners get all mushy Honestly, I totally get the hesitation! I used the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM for a while and yeah, the corners are definitely soft wide open. If you are doing serious architectural work, that might drive you crazy. Since you are in Chicago and have a decent budget, I would steer you toward the Canon RF 15-30mm f/4.5-6.3 IS STM. It is way more versatile for buildings than the prime! If you really want that L-series quality but need to save, check out the Canon EF 16-35mm f/4L IS USM with an adapter. It is razor sharp and built like a tank. You will love it!

Tbh, I wouldnt waste your cash on the 14-35mm L if you want to keep your bank account happy. Unfortunately, I had issues with edge softness on that lens too, which was super annoying for architecture. Have you looked at the Samyang AF 14mm f/2.8 RF instead? Its way cheaper and honestly does the job for city shots without breaking the bank. Just keep an eye on the used market, you can find steals.

Honestly, the glass situation for the R system has been such a headache lately. I spent way too much time trying to get crisp lines on buildings downtown and it just never feels sharp enough. It is frustrating when you drop serious cash and the corners still look like a watercolor painting. I have basically given up on finding that perfect wide-angle for architecture without selling a kidney. Here is what really bugged me after testing a few:

• Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM just felt flimsy and the distortion was way worse than expected.
• Canon RF 14-35mm f/4L IS USM had that weird soft edge issue that made me want to scream. It is just annoying. I am probably just gonna rent a better lens for my next trip instead of gambling on more gear that lets me down. Good luck tho.