05/05/2026 9:30 pm
Topic starter
Notifications
Clear all
RF Mount Camera & Lens Forum
2
Posts
3
Users
0
Reactions
24
Views
0
Just grabbed an R100 for my Chicago trip next month! My logic was getting the 50mm 1.8 since it's so cheap but then I read the crop factor makes it way too tight for street stuff. I saw the 28mm pancake too but is it too slow for night shots? Budget is $300 max... which one actually works better?
2 Answers
12
05/05/2026 9:31 pm
Honestly, be careful with that 50mm in a dense city like Chicago. I once tried shooting alleys in Philly with one and basically spent the whole time backing into traffic just to fit a sign in the frame... nightmare.
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM is my pick for street shots even if its slower.
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM is great for low light but way too tight for sidewalks tho.
11
05/05/2026 10:05 pm
Jumping in here cause I love nerding out on these specs! You are totally right about that 1.6x crop factor on the R100... it changes everything. Here is how those focal lengths actually behave for your Chicago trip:
- Canon RF 50mm f/1.8 STM: It is super fast at f/1.8 but that 80mm equivalent field of view is gonna feel like a zoom lens in a crowded city. Amazing for bokeh, bad for big architecture.
- Canon RF 28mm f/2.8 STM: This is the winner for me! At 44.8mm equivalent, it mimics the human eye almost perfectly. Tbh f/2.8 is plenty fast for night shots if you trust your sensor to handle a bit of ISO noise.
- Canon RF 16mm f/2.8 STM: If you want those epic skyscraper shots from street level, this gives you a 25.6mm wide view. Its fantastic for tight spaces. I would honestly grab the 28mm pancake. Its just so tiny and the sharpness is incredible for the price!
