13/03/2026 9:41 pm
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RF Mount Camera & Lens Forum
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I honestly hate the kit lens that came with my R50 its so slow and everything looks grainy whenever I try to take photos of my cat indoors. I am getting really anxious because I have a big trip to Chicago next week and I need something better but I am totally lost in all these specs. Canon RF lenses are priced like crazy and I just want something sharp and fast without spending a fortune. Im looking for:
- under $300 tops
- lightweight so it doesnt hurt my neck
- fast aperture for blurry backgrounds
Is the 50mm 1.8 the only cheap option or is it gonna be too zoomed in for street stuff? I really need to figure this out before Tuesday...
3 Answers
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13/03/2026 9:42 pm
Be careful, 50mm is tight on crop. I would suggest these:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: better bokeh, narrow view.
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM: wider, slower aperture.
10
13/03/2026 10:05 pm
You might want to consider the Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM for your trip. Be careful as 50mm is often too narrow indoors, and this lens wont strain your neck.
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13/03/2026 10:25 pm
Saw this just now and it totally takes me back to my first big city trip with a crop sensor. I remember wandering around downtown Chicago with a prime and being so satisfied with how light it felt compared to the clunky kit glass. It really makes the whole experience more fun when you arent constantly worried about the weight. Regarding that 50mm... honestly, on an R50 it definitely feels a bit tight for narrow city streets, though it works well for portraits. To help you decide before Tuesday, I gotta ask:
- Are you mostly gonna be shooting architecture and wide streets, or are you focused on close-ups of your cat and people?
- Is having a super tiny lens that fits in a jacket pocket a big priority for you? Knowing that makes it way easier to narrow things down without wasting cash.
